A call out for Umpires

Rick Sullivan, US Sailing National Judge and Umpire, makes a plea for people to join the party”

With all the talk about Team Race and Team Racing it reminds me how few Umpires we have to officiate the multitude of events that occur in the spring. There are college events across the USA every weekend, with up to ten each weekend, and each need an Umpire team of 8-12 individuals. This is in addition to High School and keelboat events on the calendar.

In the past, we were able to officiate these events with mostly certified umpires, mixed in with individuals who are familiar with Team of Match Racing (former college sailors and Judges who were familiar with the rules and calls). But over the past two years, we have been covering these events with 1-3 certified umpires and a mix of sailing coaches and former coeds familiar with team racing, but not umpiring.

This has led to a less than optimal playing field for competitors who have become better and better team racers each year. College coaches struggle to find individuals to cover the events they are hosting, with no central clearing house of who may be called upon to officiate these events, which typically require individuals on the water for 8-10 hours in not the best of conditions.

Amanda Callahan (Roger Williams, Team Panda) has championed the recruiting of new umpires for several years with moderate success but has passed the baton. With the help of Umpires Rob Overton and Sandy Grosvenor, Amanda put together an online two-part training seminar of 2-3 hours each to cover the basics of umpiring. At each event, we try to meet with the umpires-in-training for 30-45 minutes to go over event calls and boat positioning in an attempt to give the sailors fair calls.

• College Sailing Umpire Seminar Day 1
• College Sailing Umpire Seminar Day 2

In addition, the US Sailing website contains lists of online and in person seminars, along with the Umpire Manual and current call book as well as contacts on the Umpire Committee to answer any of your questions.

So now is the time to begin your journey to give back and support the sport which we all enjoy so much.