As the frozen world of the Lithuanian winter unlocks into a land
of countless lakes and rivers, the rowing season once again begins
and the country sees its enthusiasts taking to the water in a multitude
of picturesque places on lakes near historic castles and on rivers
winding through ancient forests. As a sport, rowing has old and
deep traditions, first arriving in 1985 with German seamen in the
post town of Klaipeda. Adopted by the local population, the "new"
sport soon became popular across the entire country and within just
a couple of decades had found its natural heartland and the beautiful
lake Galve alongside Trakai Castle, now incorporated into a national
park.
Founded over 600 years ago to defend the nation against invaders, the castle still stands proudly above the modern day battles; frequent competitions and regattas that are played out in its midst. In many ways, the history of rowing in Lithuania has been closely entwined with that of Trakai ever since those first boats touched the water at the turn of the nineteenth to twentieth centuries. Although clubs have spread to all the major centers of Lithuania, Trakai is, and has always served as Lithuania's showpiece of the sport. It was on this lake that the national competition was staged in 1928, that the first club was established in 1934, and where the first Olympic medallists trained. Since those early days, rowing has blossomed.
Lithuanian rowers now have over 130 medals to their credit from Olympic, World and European Championships; Trakai regularly hosts international regattas and, as of last year, now prides itself with the completion of the National Sport and Health Center. This center, dedicated to rowing, boasts a fully-equipped gym, a sport hall, newly installed rowing lanes equipped with an Albano system, boat storage and repair facilities. In addition, the complex also houses a modern hotel a variety of dinning possibilities and both seminar and conference facilities.
At Trakai and across the country, rowing is becoming ever more popular season-by-season; more of our athletes represent our country as athletes and as judges within the FISA world.
DID YOU KNOW?
Lithuanian rowing city Trakai hosts the annual international rowing Amber Oars Sprint Regatta. Masters row 250 meters in mixed eight crews. You are invited!
Antanas Bagdonavicius : The winner of the most Olympic medals in Lithuania not only among rowers but also in all disciplines. Born in 1938, he started to row when he was eighteen. Soon he won the title of Soviet champion and took this title ten times. Still rowing to this day, Antanas recently won a bronze at the Masters Games in Australia. Such is his dedication to the sport that Antanas has established a museum of his awards and medals in the sport and is instrumental in the development of the sport for youth.
Eugenijus and Ricardas Vaitkevicius : In the history of Lithuanian rowing, Eugenijus and Ricardas, were leading coaches. Both were national champions in their time, playing vital roles in the development of the sport. Eugenijus brought the national women's team to Olympic victory in Canada in 1976 and Ricardas achieved similar success with the men's team in the Mexico and Tokyo Olympics.
Vytautas Briedis : A very famous person, not because of many rowing awards, but as the man who is an organizer and the member of the many sport organizations. His entire life he has been faithful to rowing and sport. He now works as the Secretary General of the Lithuanian Rowing Federation.
REGIONS
Avg. temp: 15-24C. Best time to visit: Trakai, Lithuania is best in summer. May-October suggested for rowers, who want to row on the open water. Rowing indoors: November-April. Avg. temp: 5C.
