Canada’s Brent Mirikitani grew up in Hawaii choosing between the surf and the turf. He moved to Honolulu when he was just five years old. His step-father insisted that before dropping him and his brother, fellow pro umpire, Jamie, off at the beach - they would have to go first to the barn.

“When I was younger I never wanted to play polo, I wanted to surf,” Brent said. “We didn’t have our drivers licenses so he would say I’ll take you to the beach after you ride.”

This discipline turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Brent who left Hawaii after High School with “my boots and my mallets” to become a professional player - and he has not looked back since.

He started out riding green horses for Carlos Galindo and his career took off leading to playing in the Pacific Coast Open, Silver Cup, the Canadian Open as well as touring in South Africa, Barbados, Australia and Mexico. His playing career spanned 25 years.

Brent took up umpiring full-time in 2015. “It’s a way for me to be involved in the sport that I love and that I’ve dedicated my whole life to,” he said. He still finds time to surf and he also has the opportunity to share his role as an umpire with his brother - the sibling aspect proving to be a great asset when it comes to communication on the field.

“We love umpiring together,” Brent said. “As far as chemistry is concerned - it’s top of the list.”