RIP David Chick (1943-2026)

David Chick, known as “J David” to many, was a familiar face within North West rowing and international umpiring circles, as well as having spent many years representing his region within British Rowing

David’s introduction to rowing began at Runcorn Rowing Club on the River Weaver in the 1960s, competing at Runcorn Regatta in 1966 as stroke of the Runcorn Novice Four, and winning his first pot, Novice Fours, at Lancaster Regatta later that year. By 1968, now aged 25, he was Captain of the club and showing his skills with two oars, winning the Club’s Oxley Cup.

Over the next decade, he held several positions at Runcorn Rowing Club and worked hard to raise funds and organise events – evidenced by the many local newspaper cuttings stuck into a scrapbook by his wife, Helen. For example, in 1969, he saw through the raising of the club membership subs from 3 guineas to £5 per year, sourced and helped repair second-hand boats so that the club membership could expand, and also supported the introduction of Runcorn’s first women’s crew. By 1977, he was Chairman and a qualified umpire, alongside his father (and club President) Bill, who was also a committed volunteer and qualified umpire, honoured by the ARA in 1982 despite having never rowed himself.

Later newspaper cuttings revealed a win in Veteran C 8s in 1983 at Chester Vets regatta – so David was still racing and winning aged 40!

David was part of the group that founded Warrington Rowing Club on the River Mersey in the 1980s, and again he committed himself, working hard to establish and develop the club for the local community, eventually becoming club President. David was also one of the first people to compete for the club in the 1986 North of England Head in a Veteran Eight, combined with his former club, Runcorn. Warrington remained close to his heart throughout his life, and a boat was named in his honour in 2024.

From the mid-1980s, he started to spend more time on the River Dee in Chester after his daughter started rowing there. In typical fashion he filled his time productively, in particular becoming increasingly involved with umpiring.

David’s umpiring career continued to 2010. In 1983, he gained his multi-lane endorsement, as the number of multi-lane courses was increasing in the UK. In 1989, he successfully qualified as a FISA umpire – part of the last cohort to be examined by legendary FISA President Thomi Keller. He umpired at the Nations Cup in 1992 and the Junior World Championships in Oslo in 1993, also at the Coupe de la Jeunesse, on four occasions from 1990 to 2008. He officiated as part of the “on water” teams at the 1986, 1996 and 2006 UK World Championships. He also umpired the Olympic Qualifying Regatta in Lucerne in 2000.

He was a regular driver of umpires launches at Nottingham and at Peterborough, and in this role, he helped in the training of many multi-lane and FISA umpires. He was also one of a number of North West umpires who regularly umpired at Scottish events at Strathclyde Park.

During much of this period, David was also the Amateur Rowing Association Divisional Representative for Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales. At meetings in the ARA’s Hammersmith HQ, he was well-known for vociferously defending the needs of his cohort of clubs and challenging when he perceived things were becoming – what he lacked in diplomacy, he more than made up for in tenacity and passion. He remained fiercely proud and supportive of the North West region throughout his life, and determined to ensure that those outside the Thames Valley had a seat at the table (and a rather loud voice).

David became a member of the Stewards’ Enclosure and Leander Club in the mid-eighties and remained an enthusiastic patron of both institutions for the rest of his life – a glimpse into his sock drawer exposing his collection of pink socks – enough for a new pair every day of the month – is testament to how much pleasure he derived from these associations. Along with his wife Helen, David was able to attend HRR each year for a week-long immersive experience, thanks to their famous caravan parked at the Henley Cricket Club, to which assorted friends old and new would retire after the Bridge Bar shut for the evening.

David’s time as Trustee of the Rowing Foundation from 2005 to 2016 was dear to his heart. It was a charity which gives grants to grass roots rowing clubs especially juniors, which he took on with passion and typical of David’s lifelong commitment to ensuring fair access for all, and that commitment continued with his support for All Aboard Youth Rowing in later years.

He was immensely proud and supportive when members of his family got involved in rowing: his daughters and four out of five of his grandchildren, to various levels, all benefited hugely from his knowledge and enthusiasm.

David’s commitment to volunteering, encouraging the next generation, ensuring access for those less privileged and officiating to enable fair competition is a powerful legacy, and he will be greatly missed.