The first club in Warsaw was founded by Germans in 1872 and was
called Rivers Yacht Club.
In 1878, first Polish sport club was built in Warsaw, Warsaw Rowing
Association, which apart from recreational and sporting activities
had a strong role in the fight for Polish nationality. The next
rowing associations developed first in cities under Russian direction
and then in those under Austrian and German command, KW 04 Pozna?
in 1904 and PTW "Tryton" Pozna? in 1912. There was a very dynamic
development of new school clubs in the western part of Poland at
that time was where young people had a chance to become familiar
with the sport of rowing.
The activity of many rowing clubs in Poland in first decade of twentieth century led to a need of cooperation between the clubs. In 1908, the Regatta Interclub Commission was founded - it was the forerunner of the Polish Rowing Federation. Besides rowing regattas, before World War I, the Regatta Interclub Commission also organized rowing excursions.
There are three stages in the history of rowing in Poland. The first includes the late decades of the nineteenth century and the beginning of World War I. The second is the time between World War I and World War II. It began with the founding of the Polish Rowing Federation in December 1919. In 1939, there were 73 clubs in 41 cities. The strongest clubs came from Warsaw, Bydgoszcz, Pozna? and Kraków. This period of time represented dynamic growth in rowing tourism, as well as long and standard distance regattas. Of course, the most important thing at that time was participation in the National Championships, European Championships and Olympic Games. The third stage began after World War II. The 1950's were a very important time when a reorganization of sport structures took place. Many clubs stopped their activities including rowing clubs in schools. From 1945-1999, 64 clubs had been formed, unfortunately, many of them after a few years were forced to end their activity. The year 1995, was the beginning of the Pupils Sport Clubs. Currently, the Polish Rowing Federation has 36 associations and clubs, 3 sports school and 45 Pupils Sport Clubs. From it's beginning, the Polish Rowing Federation has achieved many successes at regatta courses all over the world.
The oldest club in Poland, Warsaw Rowing Association, was organized in 1878. The Polish Rowing Association was created in 1919.
PERSONALITIES
Teodor Kocerka : (1927-1999) Two-time Royal Henley Regatta winner; five medals at the European Championships, champion in 1958; two bronze medals at the Olympic Games in Helsinki-1952 and Rome-1960; nineteen times national champion.
Roger Verey : Seven medals at the European Championships, two gold medals in single scull and double sculls in Berlin-1935; bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Berlin-1936.
Kajetan Broniewski : Born in 1963, won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Barcelona-1992 and at the World Championships in Vienna-1990.
Robert Sycz: Born in 1973, two-time World Champion in lightweight double scull: Aiguebelette-1997 and Cologne-1998; Olympic Champion in Sydney-2000, Royal Henley Regatta winner.
Tomasz Kucharski : Born in 1975, two-time World Champion in lightweight double scull: Aiguebelette-1997 and Cologne-1998; Olympic Champion in Sydney-2000, Royal Henley Regatta winner.
