Rowing in Chile has strong ties with European clubs. Europeans residing in Chile during the late nineteenth century established many of the first organizations. The initial draw to the sport was for both social and health reasons, though an interest in competition soon followed. The first rowing club, Sport Club Phoenix, was founded in the city of Valdivia in 1880. Two years later, three more clubs opened their doors. In 1888, Rowing Club Centenario and Rowing Club Arturo Prat were founded. Both of these clubs quickly became known for their popular social competitions on the Calle-Calle River.

Expatriate European communities in Chile were the champions of the sport for many years. The German community established Club Deusche Ruders Verein, later changed to Club Neptune, in 1895. In 1896, the British Rowing Club was created and then a few years later the Iberian Rowing Club and the Italian Rowing Society. Informal racing, though fiercely competitive, began in the 1890's. By the turn of the century, the need for a national rowing body was clear-if only to mediate between the British, German, Italian and Spanish clubs! The National Rowing Association of Chile was started in 1904.

It seems that 50 years passed before a major annual competition began. As the story goes, in 1948 the local authorities of the city of Valparaiso wanted to create a memorable celebration on the anniversary of the independence of Chile. Mayor Admiral don Manuel Blanco Encalada is credited with suggesting the organization of an annual rowing regatta to happen together with Independence Day festivities.

The Valparaiso daily newspaper, Mercury, announced the event in September 1948 and invited all interested enthusiasts to register for the race. Local clubs and teams of sailors from visiting navy ships enthusiastically accepted. To stimulate interest and increase the level of competition, the organizers announced a grand prize of forty dollars for the winner and thirty dollars for the runner-up - not a small sum in Chile at this time. It is believed that ultimately eight groups fielded teams for the event. Alas, the visiting French Navy team won this inaugural race though in the years to follow, Chilean teams have most often taken home the gold.

REGIONS

Valparaiso
Avg. temp: Summer (December-February) 15C to 25C; Fall (March-May) 10C to18C; Winter (June-August) 6C to 15C; Spring (September-November) 8C to 20C.

Concepcion
Avg. temp: Summer (December-February) 15C to 26C; Fall (March-May) 8C to 21C; Winter (June-August) 4C to 12C; Spring (September-November) 6C to 17C.

Valdivia
Avg. temp: Summer (December-February) 12C to 25C; Fall (March-May) 8C to 20C; Winter (June-August) 0C to10C; Spring (September-November) 7C to 19C.

Puerto Montt
Avg. temp: Summer (December-February) 12C to 23C; Fall (March-May) 10C to16C; Winter (June-August) 2C to11C; Spring (September-November) 7C to 15C.