Competitive Rowing since 1700's

This Olympian sport began as a form of water transport in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Rome and Greece. Showing superiority on the water was also a sure fire way too win a war or conquer your enemy.

As early as the 1700's, people began to turn to rowing for competition. The Thames River is home to the oldest rowing contest- Doggett's Coat and Badge Race (since 1715).

The rowing regatta between Oxford and Cambridge, an annual event, began in 1829. It opened up the sport to wide appeal. By the early 1900's, rowing had gained popularity across Europe and into America.

Bad weather, however, postponed rowing's scheduled debut in Athens in 1896, so its first appearance was at the 1900 Olympics. Women's Rowing debuted at the 1976 Montreal Games.

Read about the History of Rowing

rowing, Sport, rowing competition, rowing regattas