Etienne Dreyer on a milestone in Oberstdorf and a life given to figure skating

The ice first hooked Etienne Dreyer across the road from his school in Johannesburg. Wednesdays meant half-price sessions and the pull was immediate. “From the moment I was on the ice, the feeling of gliding freely, the cool air on my face and the sound of the music made me want to go back again and again. So, my parents signed me up for the academy classes.”

He went on to skate and compete around the world under Colleen Millard, “who also coached Barbara Anne Hawkes and Dino Quattrocecere”. When studies and work signalled the end of his competitive years, Neil Garrard persuaded him to try judging “as a way to be still involved and to give back to the sport”.

Mentorship has shaped every step. “My main mentor has always been Neil. He was the first South African Judge to pass the ISU exam and is extremely knowledgeable about the sport, having judged numerous world championships. Other critical mentors who always encouraged me were Enzo, as well as Jenny and Fiona in Durban.”

In Oberstdorf, after three days of practical, oral and written exams, Dreyer was called in by the ISU technical committee. “When I heard the words congratulations, I felt immense gratitude for everyone who has supported me. I am also proud to represent SAFSA at this highest level. All the hours in cold ice rinks, hundreds of competitions and thousands of tests had all been worth it.”

He sees the appointment as both an honour and a duty. “This is such an honour but also a responsibility to create a positive image when I represent SAFSA on the judges' stand. I get the chance to show the world that even though our country is a small federation, we have great athletes and our judges are knowledgeable.”

Christo Viljoen, SAFSA President, put it this way: “Etienne passing his ISU Championship Judging Exam is a historic milestone for South African figure skating. He now becomes only the second ISU Championship Judge from South Africa, following Neil Garrard. On behalf of the Executive and Council, we congratulate Etienne and thank him for his dedication and professionalism.”

For Dreyer, Oberstdorf held special meaning beyond the exam room. “Oberstdorf is the Mecca of skating in Europe. All the European and world champions have trained there. When I walked into the rink and saw all the photos of Torvill & Dean, Carolina Kostner, Savchenko and Massot, I got goosebumps just realising how big the occasion was. The last time I was that nervous was when I had to skate a free programme at nationals, many, many years ago.”

He still considers 2011 a defining moment. “Up until now, my proudest moment was when I became an international judge in 2011. I have had many wonderful overseas competitions, but this achievement of becoming an ISU Championship judge is by far the best. Four Continents, World Championships and possibly Olympics one day.”

Judging gives him community and perspective. “The most rewarding is that you get to share your love of the sport with a community of global judges and make lifelong friends. The hardest is when you have to be strict and apply the rules after a skater has a bad skate. Believe it or not, we judges want everyone to skate well all the time. It makes our job easier.”

He stays current by studying the sport on a weekly basis. “To stay up to date, I watch international competitions every weekend on YouTube and test my knowledge. Of course, the ISU also provides fantastic training videos and materials.” The standard he holds for himself is clear. “My No 1 goal is always to represent our sport, and SAFSA, with the professionalism and integrity it deserves. Of course, a big goal is to judge at the world championships in the next few years.”

Giving back sits at the centre of what comes next. “I am now more inspired than ever to assist our judges committee chair (and one of my biggest supporters), Jacci, with detailed training tips and courses to improve our new judges' knowledge and also to help them have fun along the way.”

His advice mirrors his own path. “If you love the sport (and it’s easy to love this sport), just go for it. It takes time, focus and dedication but it is so rewarding. Some of my best friends are from skating and the satisfaction of being able to give back to this sport is the best feeling ever.

“I must say a huge thank you to our SAFSA president and the executive members who supported me with this journey. Also, a big thank you to all the well wishes from so many SAFSA members, and, of course, my family and friends who have had to put up with many weekends without me due to judging tests and competitions over the past 25 years. It is as much their achievement as mine.”