Rowing History

Friends of Rowing History - a non-commercial, labor of love and a fantastic source of historical information on North American rowing.

Site Contents

Time Line by Thomas E. Weil – highlights of important events & milestones through the years to 2000

US Teams (new format) – searchable database either by US Team members’ last Name or by Year(s)

Resources – collected rowing facts & details:

Rowing 101 – understanding rowing & terminology

Races/Boat Club & Associations Before 1860 – listing

Rowing Book Bibliography – overview of the 1st rowing book bibliography

1871 Oarsman’s Manual– introduction to a magnificent rowing book

NAAO Annual Yearbooks – images of covers & table of contents

NAAO Rowing News magazines – images of some covers

NAAO National Trophies ca. 1930

College Trophies – listing of College Trophies

Famous People – who were rowers/coxswains

Rowing Equipment – history

U.S. Patents – mostly 19th Century

Regatta Results – gathering/listing results from historic regattas

IRA (Intercollegiate Rowing Association)

Henley Royal Regatta – Finals Results – searchable database

Henley Royal Regatta Notes

Essays – discussion of interesting events/people/places

The Crazy Professionals – 19th Century professional rowing

“The Great International Boat Race” – 1869 Harvard vs Oxford

True Stories – interesting events

About/Contact/Links

The Sport of Rowing by Peter Mallory - This four-volume set of books asks three questions:

  • what are the technique and force application strategies being applied today in our sport at its highest levels

  • where did these strategies come from in rowing history

  • how well do they do in actual competition?

For many of my readers, the “where did they come from” is certainly the most entertaining. Our rowing ancestors and their adventures, their triumphs and their failures, often fall into the “couldn’t make this stuff up” category. We certainly stand of the shoulders of a remarkable and often motley crew, and it has been my privilege to help preserve and spread the memory of their glorious deeds.

Hear the Boat Sing - covers all aspects of the rich history of rowing, as a sport, culture phenomena, a life style, and a necessary element to keep your wit and stay sane.