General Information

A Brief History of Rowing

Rowing has been around for centuries, and will stay among the best of competitive sports around the world. The technique of affixing the oar to the side of the boat was discovered by the Greeks approximately two thousand years ago. They discovered that working a single oar against a fulcrum was much more useful and effective than a paddle. Rowing was primarily used to transport goods, but when there was more than one boat in the water, human nature took over and racing started. In the middle to late 1800s in Europe and the US rowers could make a decent living solely from their sport (making them the first "professional" athletes), but gambling abuses led to the popular sport's demise. However, in England and the US amateur rowing continued and developed popularity in inter-collegiate competitions. The first Oxford/Cambridge race was held in 1829. The first Harvard/Yale race was held in 1852, and is the oldest inter-collegiate event in America.

Rowing Safety

The sport of rowing has a long history of safety. We are serious about safety and follow a comprehensive plan in accordance with guidelines set by the United States Rowing Association (rowing's governing body). MCDS's coaches follow USRowing's rules as well as applying their own judgment and experience.

When rowers train on the water, coaches accompany the team in safety launches (motorized skiffs). The launches are equipped with safety gear and a cell phone. Rowers are not allowed on the water without the direct supervision of a coach in a safety launch.

Many scientific advancements have been made in the sport; a better boat is a faster boat. For example, the ancient Greeks, when rowing, sat on seats that slid to allow them to use their legs to drive the boat. Harvard rowers found a way to grease their pants so that they slid on their immobile seats. This allowed Harvard to dominate Yale for a number of years and led to the popular use of sliding seats in today's shells.

Boat clubs started in America in the 1800's. Philadelphia's Schuylkill Navy, begun in 1858, was the first rowing association and the first amateur sports organization in the country. Collegiate and amateur oarsmen started the National Association for Amateur Oarsmen (NAAO) in 1872.

Women were left out of these clubs even though they rowed in amateur and collegiate races. In the early 1960's the National Women's Rowing Association was formed. Finally, in 1982, the NAAO and the National Women's Rowing Association joined together to become the co-ed United States Rowing Association.

For more information about rowing's interesting history visit www.rowinghistory.net