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Meet Our Boat Race Officials!

Published Thu 17 Nov 2022

Rowing WA BRO to umpire at World Masters Championships, South Africa 2023

Rowing WA would like to introduce you to Boat Race Official, Ruth Oldert.

Ruth graduated in Chemical Engineering and lived in Johannesburg South Africa until 2021.  She joined us as an Official in 2021 as she had been umpiring in South Africa for a number of years.

Ruth’s calm and controlled manner makes her a fantastic asset to our BRO team. Ruth will be heading to Umpire at the World Masters Championships in South Aftica next year.

Ruth also volunteered at the Olympics Games for rowing.  She says it was an incredible experience to be part of an event in another southern hemisphere country, Brazil. She learnt a great deal from the people she met there and hopes to continue her journey in Officiating to travel the world.

Ruth’s outlook on where her officiating can take her is very exciting and we hope she continues to be part of our team for a long time.

BRO Questions and Fun Facts

Why did you get involved with Officiating?

  • I was a bit burnt out after uni and it seemed like a great way to still be involved with rowing but not having to commit as much time to it.  I love being out on the water but my job currently doesn’t make it easy to get to training and I don’t like letting a team down. 

Do you have any long-term goals in Officiating?

  • I would love to become a FISA umpire and use that to see interesting places in the world that might normally not be on my travel list or are a little out of the way. 

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen out on the water?

  • Nothing super funny springs to mind that I can put in print, but in South Africa, I have seen plenty of wildlife from some of our venues. I’ve seen an experienced Eight of year 11’s/12’s tip after trying to do a fancy strike. 

What’s your favourite food at a regatta?

  • Love to start the day with an egg and bacon roll. And then I am always a little sad that when the umpires get off the water all the food is packed up and I can’t get another tasty snack for the way home. 

Your first car?

  • Silver VW Polo sedan. I was teased by my friends but I was the only one who could fit a motor boat engine and petrol tank in my car, so rather useful. 

Your hometown?

  • Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Your most prized possession?

  • Moving countries and only bringing 4 suitcases makes you reassess what things you really need, but I do appreciate a good pillow at night. 

Your travel bucket list?

  • Maybe a lap around Australia, or another year doing South America. Ecuador is a must. 

Why would you encourage others to get involved in Officiating?

  • For past rowers, it offers a great way to still be involved in the sport and is a great way to connect with like-minded people, especially when you’re in a new city. For parents, I think it beats sitting on the bank as you get to see a whole different viewpoint from on the water or in the finish tower. You will have new respect for what your children do. For complete newbies, despite being a bit of a thankless task, it is a day off the couch in some of the best environments and always a great bunch of people with guaranteed laughs. 

 

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