Sport Rowing

Rowing boats used for racing on inland waterways or lakes are built primarily for speed but a different craft again is needed for the coastal and off-shore races that venture into open waters. Conditions at sea during races are more likely to be variable and rough so the boats have to be more robust in construction and of a design to withstand whatever the sea throws at them. At present this is a growing sport of choice and it attracts worldwide interest and participation with its own regulatory body, FISA, the International Rowing Federation, fostering good seamanship and navigation skills as well as good rowing techniques. Although the boats have to conform in certain details of weight etc., the individual societies and countries have often based their craft design on traditional boats of the area. In Great Britain and Ireland, one example of this is the Cornish Pilot Gig which has been adopted by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association rowing group. The gig was originally a working boat carrying the pilot out to boats that were waiting off the Cornish coast and wishing to enter harbour. There was a competitive element even then as the first pilot to reach a ship would be the one to get the fee for the service. So successful has this Gig become in competitions that the design is now used by a group in Wales and one in the Netherlands. Welsh and Irish groups have designs based on the Irish curragh. Other designs are equally successful and popular, enjoying old and descriptive names for instance 'yawl' and 'Wexford/Slaney' cotts. Throughout the season there are numerous regular and on-off events for all classes, shapes and sizes.

Rowing, as a sport with speed as the main criterion, has almost become a scientific formula balancing physical fitness, strength, skill and boat design. Competitions of this type are generally held on inland waters and lakes where conditions can be more closely monitored. Rowing has the distinction of being one of the oldest Olympic sports. Watermen offering to ferry passengers on the River Thames would often take part in races, on which wagers would be laid, and the winning oarsman would receive a money prize. Rowing was taken up as a competitive sport by public schools, universites, professionals and amateurs from as early as the late 18th century and went from strength to strength in popularity.