For Julie Thibault, rowing wasn’t a lifelong pursuit—it was a discovery. Looking for a new hobby in her mid-twenties, she stumbled upon the sport almost by accident. “I was searching for something to get me out of the house more often. I looked up a few different sports, then landed on rowing—simply because I was always curious about it at the Olympics. I had no idea we even had rowing clubs in Quebec,” she recalls. A quick search led her to the Montreal Rowing Club, where she signed up for a Learn to Row course. That summer, she was on the water three to five times a week, and she never looked back.

Though never drawn to competition, she found joy in the rhythm of the sport and the camaraderie within the rowing community. She participated in the Outgames in Montreal and remained an active member of the club until life’s demands—especially motherhood—shifted her focus. However, rowing never left her life entirely. Instead, she found a new way to stay connected: umpiring.

The transition to umpiring was gradual. Encouraged by fellow rowers, she took an introductory workshop—before online courses were available—and spent several years as an assistant umpire before officially obtaining her umpiring license in 2010. “I was looking for something outside of work, something engaging, and I stayed because of the people,” she says.

Now affiliated with Boucherville Rowing Club, she balances umpiring with family life, even bringing her young children to regattas. “I moved to Boucherville specifically to stay close to a rowing club,” she laughs. While rowing itself became more challenging with kids, umpiring remained a constant, allowing her to stay involved in the sport she loves.

Regatta days start early, and for Julie, there’s something special about those quiet morning moments before the action begins. “You arrive when everything is calm, and then slowly, the athletes, coaches, and supporters start arriving. There’s this unique energy that builds throughout the day.” Each umpire is assigned a role—whether at the start, finish, control commission, weigh-in, or on the water. While each position comes with its own responsibilities, she particularly enjoys being on the water. “You get to follow the athletes, see them giving everything to reach the finish line. It’s inspiring.”

Long days at regattas fly by, thanks to the collaborative spirit among umpires. “It might seem intimidating, having to make split-second decisions, but you’re never alone. There’s constant communication and support. It’s a team effort.”

Attending her first National Rowing Championships in BC was an incredible experience. “I’m not an athlete, so it was my first time experiencing a major regatta from the inside. The camaraderie is amazing—like you’ve known everyone forever.” She also recalls her first time at Royal Canadian Henley with similar fondness. “There’s something special about seeing all the boats and athletes coming together for such a big event. Those moments keep me coming back.”

For those considering umpiring, she has a simple message: give it a try. “Take the first training module online, then come out to a regatta. There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere—you’ll either fall in love with it, or you won’t. But if you do, you’ll find yourself part of an incredible community.”

Even though she came to rowing later in life, she has found a deep connection within the sport, one she hopes to share with her children someday. “They don’t have much interest in rowing yet, but they’re always around when I umpire,” she says. For now, she’s happy knowing she has a place in the sport, whether on the water or in the umpire’s chair.

Interested in becoming an umpire? Learn more about how you can get involved HERE.