Introduction

The Thames Region has more competitors, Regattas and Head Races than any other part of the UK. To ensure every event has sufficient licensed Officials there needs to be at least 110 active people on the Umpires list. There is a great variety of events and opportunities for Umpiring in the Thames Region are limited solely by the availability of the individuals on the list.

Umpires come from a variety of backgrounds within the sport. It is helpful if you have competed yourself, although many successful Umpires have come into the sport via Administration or through their involvement with a Head Race or Regatta.

Umpiring is entirely voluntary but many events provide hospitality for their Officials. Umpires retire at age 65 (now 70). There are opportunities to move onto obtaining a Multi-Lane endorsement to your Licence and a number of Umpires from our Region have gone on to obtain their International (FISA) Licence.

For Insurance reasons, Umpires are required to be members of the ARA.

Commitment

An Umpires Licence is granted for three years. During this time you would be expected to do a minimum of three Regattas and one Head Race each year. Event Secretaries are at liberty to invite the Umpires of their choice, and an Umpires Licence is valid for the whole country. It is common practice for Umpires to work 'out of Region'. There is, of course, no limit to the number of events an individual can choose to attend. Commonly a Regatta will expect an Umpire to be available for half of the day. Within the Thames Region we operate a scheme which matches Umpires seeking work to events that are short of Umpires.

Duties

Umpires duties at events vary enormously. For example, Race Starters, Aligners, Umpires, the Chief Judge and the Head of the Control Commission must be licensed Umpires (or, from April 2004, a supervised trainee). A Regatta must have a Race Committee whose Chair and at least two other members must be Licensed. Many events use Umpires to check the 'points books' before releasing the prizes. At a Head Race the Chief Umpire must be licensed.

Training

Training starts in January or  February and finishes in the Autumn. After an introduction evening, candidates take a written exam a few weeks later.

In April they attend an Umpires Seminar. These Seminars are held each Spring and every Umpire must attend a Seminar at least every three years. They are a vital communication link between Umpires.

Candidates attend a minimum of two heads and four regattas during the season. Here they are given an opportunity to experience the work of Umpires and to practice their own skills. At regattas each candidate's performance will be observed and marked by an examiner.

Before the exam at the end of July a 'mock' practical' exam is offered to all candidates where they can practice on the 'table-top' courses used for the exam.

Successful candidates will not formally receive their licence until the National Umpires Commission meets in the following January. However, once they have passed their practical exam, they will be encouraged to work at events in the Summer and Autumn, under supervision.

Supervision and Standards

The Training Commissioners; Nigel Smith, Bill Mitchell, John Biddle and Stan Collingwood ensure that each candidate receives the training, advice, supervision and support that is appropriate. They attend the training Regattas and ensure that the trainees are given every chance to reach the required standards.

The Thames Region believes it has the best Umpires and the best training programme in the UK. The standards demanded are high and exacting. Only this way can we provide our competitors with the fair and safe racing they deserve.