Rowing in South Africa, like cricket and rugby, was an imported
pastime of the colonials in the early nineteenth century. In South
Africa, the first formal rowing event dates back to the year 1861.
A race between two clubs, the South African Rowing Club and Union
Rowing Club, was arranged for six-oared boats over a distance of
4.25 miles. Alfred Rowing Club joined in this competition several
years later and the stage was set for annual championships between
South Africa's top competitive rowers. South Africa has, in a rather
unique manner, distinguished itself by fielding some of the oldest
competitors on the international master's rowing circuit. Ernest
Gearing, who won the gold medal at the 1996 World Master's Championship,
did so just shy of his eightieth birthday.
The Buffalo Grand Challenge Race is South Africa's oldest and most prestigious race. The regatta has been held every year since 1881 with the exception of the war years. In 2004, the regatta will be held for its 117th time. The Buffalo Regatta has been a major highlight on the South African rowing calendar in part due to the two magnificent trophies at stake - the Buffalo Grand Challenge Trophy for senior coxless fours and the Silver Sculls Trophy for senior single sculls. These two cups are commonly regarded as the most valuable rowing trophies in the world. Each is estimated to have a value over $500,000- they are purported to be as tall and weigh as much as a coxswain.
Considering the long regatta history, it is surprising that South Africa's national rowing body took some time to establish. Provincial rowing associations were formed in the early decades of the twentieth century. In 1934, the provincial associations united to establish the South African Amateur Rowing Association in response to the selection requirements for the Olympic Games. The first South African Olympic oarsman was Henry De Kock who rowed at the 1928 Olympic Games. He recently passed away at the age of ninety-two. South Africa regularly fields strong men and women's fours for international competition. Today, rowing enjoys tremendous popularity across South Africa. Rowing in South Africa has come far in recent years with new enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds taking up a common interest in the sport.
PERSONALITIES
DID YOU KNOW?
The Alfred Rowing Club is the oldest organized sport club in South Africa, established in 1864, and named after Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh who visited Cape Town in 1860.
Henry De Kock: The first South African Olympic oarsman to row at the 1928 Olympic Games.
