Rowing, an ancient form of travel turned into competitive sport, debuted at the 1900 Games in Paris, the second Summer Olympiad. The event was scheduled to appear in the first Games in 1896 in Athens, but inclement weather made it too rough to hold any races on the water. Women’s rowing debuted at the 1976 Games in Montreal.

In the Olympics, participants compete in fourteen different variations of the sport. In sweep rowing one oar is used and in sculling an oar is held in each hand. In these two classes boats can seat one, two, four, or eight people. The eights employ a coxswain, who steers the boat and directs the crew, but in all other boats one of the rowers steers by controlling a small rudder with a foot pedal. Men and women each compete in single, double, and quadruple sculls, lightweight double scull, the eight, and coxless pair. Men also race in coxless four and lightweight coxless four. All boats race in heats, with the top finishers advancing directly into the semi-finals or the six-boat final. The other boats get a second chance, with the top boats again qualifying. The progression system – and any semi-finals – depends on the number of boats in each event. Each rowing race in a competition is 2000 meters long. Narrow, lighter boats need calm water and usually race on wide lakes and rivers.

With the United States standing as the all-time medal leader in Olympic rowing and popularity on the rise for rowing as a collegiate sport, youth involvement and participation around the country is increasing. Most area colleges are outfitted with teams and equipment. Chicago is home to some of the most promising young rowers and venues for pursuing rowing as both a competitive sport and recreational activity.

The United States National Rowing Team participates in international rowing competitions held on the main branch of the Chicago River, a venue that several other area clubs and programs use for practice and events. Rowing groups and teams also utilize the long Lake Michigan shoreline.

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