Pictured above: Simon at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Photo credit (right) - Steve McArthur.
In 2024, you were selected as an umpire for the Paris 2024 Olympics rowing regattas. Can you tell us a little about this experience?
The experience in Paris was as good as it gets for any umpire. It was the icing on the cake of a dream umpiring career, with all prerequisite regattas successfully completed (in 2023; so only just!). To be part of the Jury of 20 souls with like-minded interests and backgrounds, from all corners of the world, was an incredible experience. From the Opening Ceremony on the Seine to the end of 12 days “at work”, I loved every minute. For two days we were able to get an upgrade pass to our OG accreditation, combined with a transport pass to get around Paris. A fellow umpire and I raced from the end of Rowing one day to catch four different Olympic events – enjoying hospitality in the Olympic family area: with the best seats and food and drink to boot… Amazing!
You’ve been umpiring now for almost 20 years – is rowing something you have always been passionate about?
I was fizzed up by the gold medal result of NZL Men’s VIII at the Munich Olympics in 1972 and took up rowing at school that same year. This culminated in our crew winning the Maadi Cup in 1974, and at Maadi 2024 we had a “50 years on” crew reunion in Twizel.
One of our two sons also took up rowing at school and I was volunteered into helping at his regattas: initially by driving the boat for umpires, then onto umpiring. I obtained my domestic licence in 2006, then my international licence in 2009, the year before the second World Champs were held in 2010 at Lake Karapiro. Since then, I have officiated at 18 international rowing events around the world, at some beautiful venues.
What have been some of your biggest umpiring career highlights to date?
Race umpire following the Women’s VIII at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the same following the Men’s VIII at the Senior World Champs in Belgrade Serbia in 2023.
Also, the chance to be a boat driver at the Rio 2016 Olympics and at a Masters Rowing event in Florida 2018, and in South Africa 2023, as well as a World Cup at the Rotsee Lucerne Switzerland, the home of World Rowing, in 2014.
After umpiring at the Olympics, what’s next for you?
A year without an international jury appointment in 2025 (same as for 17 of the 20 of us from Paris), and then after that, who knows? I will be applying for other international appointments alongside the six other Kiwi international rowing umpires. I will take a back seat allowing others the chance to progress to Olympic level and experience the highlight I have been fortunate enough to do.
What was it about UC that made you decide to study here?
I had to decide to go down the agriculture track (applied to both Lincoln and Massey), or do straight Commerce at Canterbury. My decision was helped by College House at UC being first cab off the rank for hostel accommodation, and so I went to UC. 1978 was the first year of a Level 3 Marketing Management being offered, and it was a real bonus for my career as I ended up for a time in Export Trading (aka marketing).
The Southern Alps ski fields were an added attraction!
Any fond memories from your time at UC?
Many and varied. I loved the freedoms and comradery; I wasn’t good enough to be in the University rugby team, but had many good friends who were in it, so I became unofficial photographer for the Club in 1977 and 1978. A few of the players in the team were then part of the team that went on to beat the Lions in 1977!
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