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Ge-an Rijniersce, an umpire from Deep Cove Rowing Club, has a story that spans continents, disciplines, and decades of involvement in rowing. Her journey reflects a deep passion for the sport and a commitment to giving back, ensuring fair and enjoyable experiences for all competitors.

Ge-an’s introduction to rowing came later than many athletes. “I started in university at the age of 20,” she recalls. Growing up in the Netherlands, she loved sports but had limited opportunities to participate due to time constraints and her family’s logistics. At university, she saw rowing as a sport she could excel in despite her late start.

Her timing couldn’t have been better – entering the sport in the early 1990s, she watched the Canadian Women’s Rowing Team win multiple gold and silver medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. Inspired by her heroes, Ge-an’s journey took her to the Dutch National Team, where she competed at several World Cup events.

Ge-an’s experience competing as an athlete gave her a profound appreciation for the role of umpires. “I’ve had races where the umpiring made all the difference,” she recalls. These experiences, both positive and challenging, planted the seed for her eventual transition to umpiring.

Years later, after moving to Canada and raising two children, Ge-an returned to rowing as a masters competitor. “I knew I enjoyed racing, but I wanted to help others have the same great racing opportunities that I did,” she says. Coaching, though rewarding, didn’t fit her young family’s schedule, so she turned to umpiring.

In 2010, she took her first umpiring course, mentored by dedicated Canadian rowing volunteer and renowned umpire, Mike Bagshawe. By 2012, she was fully licensed and had discovered a new passion: facilitating regattas from behind the scenes. “You see the sport from a completely different perspective,” she explains. “It’s about giving back and helping others have a successful regatta.”

As an umpire, Ge-an ensures races are fair and safe, adapting her approach to the athletes’ level. “You first learn the rules, but then you learn how to apply them—differently for a junior regatta versus a national championship,” she explains.

Essential skills for umpiring include a love of the sport, strong communication abilities, and the capacity to mediate under pressure. “You need to understand what athletes and coaches are going through,” she says, emphasizing the importance of fairness and clarity in decision-making.

Her career highlights include representing Canada as an umpire at international events, most notably the 2024 World Rowing Beach Sprints in Italy. “The Beach Sprints were phenomenal,” she shares. “It’s such a unique format, with athletes running to their boats and navigating waves. It’s exciting and unpredictable, and as an umpire, you’re constantly adjusting to ensure fairness and safety.” She describes the challenge of timing starts to align with the rhythm of the waves, ensuring athletes had the best chance to get off the line smoothly.

The Beach Sprints also brought her closer to the global rowing community. “Seeing athletes from all over the world competing in such a dynamic setting was incredible. Events like these remind you how universal the love for rowing is.”

For those considering umpiring, Ge-an suggests starting small. Rowing Canada Aviron’s online module provides an accessible introduction, and shadowing umpires at a local regatta is a great way to learn. “You can umpire as much or as little as your schedule allows,” she says, noting the flexibility that initially drew her to the role.

Having spent ten years on Rowing BC’s Umpire Committee and currently serving on RCA’s Umpires Committee, Ge-an continues to dedicate her time and expertise to the sport she loves. “Rowing has given me so much, and umpiring is my way of giving back. Whether it’s a local race or an international event, I’m always inspired by the passion and determination of the athletes.”