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Meet Our Boat Race Officials!

Published Fri 27 Jan 2023

Rowing WA would like to introduce you to Boat Race Official, Brian Nash.

In 2023 Rowing WA continues to feature our Boat Race Officials & introduce them to the WA rowing community. This fortnight, we would like to introduce you to a BRO who is part of the Umpiring cohort "who have always been there", long-standing member of Swan River Rowing Club & FISA International Licenced Official.

Brian has been involved in Rowing since a schoolboy at Wesley College.  On leaving school he joined Swan River Rowing Club where he remains a stalwart today.  Brian represented WA in the MLW4+ 1967 Interstate Regatta.  He also served on the RWA (then ARAWA) delegates Committee representing SRRC and later as a member of the Executive Committee of the Management Committee.

RWA Licence 1976

It has been as a Boat Race Official where Brian has made the most significant contribution to the Association.  Since gaining his WA Licence Brian has made himself available to officiate at RWA, PSA & IGSSA Regattas year after year, apart from absences away from WA.  He is part of the Umpiring cohort know as those “who have always been there”.

Rowing Australia Licence 1978

Brian has officiated at most Australian Rowing Championships Regattas since gaining his Australian Licence in 1978.

FISA Licensee 1997

Since gaining his International Licence in 1997, Brian has been appointed to the juries of many International Regattas, highlighting his skills as a BRO.  Brian has transferred the lessons learnt from International Duties to improve the standard of Officiating locally and nationally.

  • 1997- FISA Masters Championships 
  • 2002 – World Cup 3
  • 2004 – World Under 23 Championships
  • 2006 – World Junior Championships
  • 2007 – Spare for World Championships
  • 2008 – World Rowing Masters Regatta
  • 2009 – World Rowing Masters Regatta
  • 2011 – World Rowing Championships

Why did you get involved with Officiating?

  • Because it was mandatory for every competing club to provide officials in a ratio to their number of competing rowers & without which club crew entries were restricted.  Often we both rowed and officiated in the same regatta! 

Do you have any long-term goals in Officiating?

  • When I started as an RWA umpire in 1967, we were encouraged to progress to RA national and FISA international level.  At that time the Interstate and later National regattas rotated annually through each state. Thus, when a home state event, all the local RA umpires were on the jury. For those who struggled to afford this it minimized interstate travel and accommodation which then was at our own expense without subsidy.
  • That experience gave me the platform to later become a FISA (World Rowing) umpire culminating (mandatory retirement age was then 65 but now 70) in the 2011 World Championships in Bled including the privilege to umpire the men’s 8 final (Germany 1st), start the women’s 8 final (USA 1st) and chief judge the lightweight men’s 4- and 8’s final (Aus. 1st in both with SRRC rowers on board – no bias of course !).  It’s a very tough but worthwhile journey.

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

  • An inexperienced schoolgirl coxed four in a held start in side wind conditions with bow being told by the starter to pass her oar forward to two to straighten their boat. Bow leaned out to do this but three also decided to lean out to pass her oar forward to stroke whereupon in slow motion the boat rolled over.  Very funny yes, but with a serious side.
  • The boat was bow steered and the coxswain could not wriggle from her cockpit and the rowers were struggling to release their feet with the umpire (me) jumping in full kit into the water to assist in averting a possible tragedy. Learned later that a very embarrassed three seat rower thought she too would help by passing her oar to stroke.

What’s your favourite food at a regatta?

  • Bacon and egg roll.

What Superpower do you wish you had?

  • To impart change with immediate effect to inexperienced young coaches and their crews, the correct fundamental rowing techniques and commands required to row well.

A secret Talent?

  • Backyard apiarist for a very long time

Your favourite book

  • Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It

Your first car?

  • 1949 Vauxhall Wyvern

Your hometown?

  • Perth

Your most prized possession?

  • My ground up restoration of my 1949 Morgan Drophead Coupe car

Your travel bucket list?

  • None now – have been to most parts of our world which appeal to me.

Why would you encourage others to get involved in Officiating?

  • Satisfaction of knowing that you facilitated a fair rowing race such that the rowers are enthused to continue in our sport as competitors and later give back in running a club.  


Interested in finding out how to #jointhecrew & become a Boat Race Official?

Rowing WA Boat Race Officials are paid for regattas, ranging from $50 for a short head race up to $150 for IGSSA/PSA regattas.  You can choose which regattas you would like to help at.

You will be fully trained & learn on the job as well!

Click HERE to find out more & register!

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