One of the many basic physical activities of man since time immemorial in his routines of daily life, involving the necessity of travel on water, was that of propulsion of a floating craft. At first, it might first have been by dipping a hand in the water while straddling a log, with a directional force, thereby accomplishing water transportation in relative safety. Eventually, through the ages as the human race developed skills and their craft became more sophisticated, there emerged a spirit of competition whether as individuals or in groups, first as spontaneous brushes followed eventually by direct challenge that then led to the race. And now, in modern times, there is hardly an activity of man, including transportation on water that is not a race in some form to become the best in its class or among its peers.
Rowing in its present form, whether as individuals or in group formations, had its start in England in the late 1700's among the River watermen whose life and living was tied to the water and their craft. In their search for work, gaining preference and profit could be enhanced by being faster and more proficient than others engaged in the same calling. Catering to individuals or merchandise needing delivery somewhere in the least time and greatest security, for which service there was a fee, there were usually men and craft ready and willing to accommodate. Out of this desire and necessity to be the best, planned improvement in men and craft paved the way toward goals still elusive and unreached.
Out of this original commercial aspect it was natural that there developed a social counterpart, both amateur and professional, and a resulting tradition. When taken up by the English aristocracy, rules of status and conduct were developed that have ever since been subject to conflict and debate as ethics and social rights have advanced or regressed. Though there have been periods of professionalism in rowing, that phase had never gained strong acceptance or support, partly due to its inability to provide productive spectator participation.
Professionalism in rowing had its origin together with rowing as amateur competition, each enhanced by the other. In the age of wind for power, ships in port waiting for cargo or repairs had their own small boats for service either sailed or rowed depending on which was more practical for the situation. These were supplemented by similar craft not belonging to ships but based ashore, to provide better or extra service, and those that were better reaped the rewards of patronage. This encouraged the spirit of competition, resulting in challenges for entertainment when no work for profit was available, followed by challenges based on the pride and honor of the adversaries. This prompted more aggressive competition by wagers and in order to benefit financially, it became necessary to have the best craft available and rowers in commensurate physical condition, which meant thought and planning being given to boat design, equipment and training.
By the early 1880's rowing as a sporting activity, subject to rules and refinements, had been established in England among the colleges and aristocracy and by mid-century had spread to the United States. The opportunity for gain inevitably attracted the opportunists and criminals with their betting, graft, gossip and sabotage that, when detected, brought scandal and disgrace. But this, fortunately, was an aberration of short duration.
While there may have been unscrupulous or criminal acts by the rough commercial rowers in the brutal seafaring atmosphere of the eighteenth and nineteenth century to gain advantage over their competition, and in the short lived days of professional rowing a resort to illegal or unethical practices to which they might be tempted, none of this carried over into intercollegiate or club rowing where sportsmanship and fair play have prevailed. Almost without exception coaches have been ex-oarsmen who continued by that means their ingrown belief in the principles of their heritage, and the few who have entertained thoughts of gaining an advantage by some devious means lost the respect of their contemporaries.
When eight oarsmen, or lesser number in a smaller shell, is boated to compete in a brush or a formal race, they are far removed from the thought or act of taking unfair advantage and willingly accept any detriment of water or course that may be their lot. Their physical conditioning, suitability of shell and rigging and their coaching during training are where they prepare for their coming ordeal to the exclusion of other approaches. And once they are on the line awaiting the starting signal, there is no advice or urging of the coach, substitution for any indisposition, interruption for any relief or any action other than doing their best that will get them to the finish line first. Subject, of course, to the stipulated time limits for restarts due to equipment failure at the discretion of the referee. And except for fleeting moments at some strategic spot in a race course there can be no stimulation of cheering spectators to accompany their straining efforts. Any distraction or misapplication of effort can only detract from the chance to win laurels. Truly a single minded team effort that hardly exists in any other sport.
The elite of England were the first to take advantage of the opportunities of this sport for status and for sporting pleasure, spectator as well as participant. The first Oxford-Cambridge rowing contest was held in 1829 to inaugurate college competition but it was not until 1852 that the first Harvard-Yale race started the trend in this country emulating the success of the English innovation. As in any new interest, improvements were necessary and forthcoming. The slenderizing of hulls was a first consideration, coordinated with the necessary adaptation of riggers by 1850. Keels were eliminated by 1860, the sliding seat arrived by 1870 and the swivel lock by 1880. There was continuing controversy between English and American adoption of many innovations based on the holding strength of tradition against the recognition of improvement in performance. Most of the early improvements in design were of English inspiration but the sliding seat and swivel lock were American.
Rowing was the first intercollegiate sport in America and the forerunner of club rowing. In the earlier competition 4's, 6's and 8's were used over courses that included a turn at the half way point, naturally called "turning races," so that spectators could see both start and finish. These were completely unmanageable affairs, even after a coxswain was added to provide control and leadership, especially at the turn. It was not long before college racing settled on 8's and the lesser craft were the province of clubs and the turn was abandoned in spite of its one spectator advantage. In the U.S., training was conducted at or as close as possible to the home grounds of the institution but races were mainly held at socially acceptable waters such as Lake Winnepesaukee Lake, Quinsigamond, or Lake Saratoga.
After the Civil War some degree of order and purpose was established by forming the RAAC (Rowing Association of American Colleges) and by 1875 at Saratoga thirteen colleges competed before crowds numbering into the thousands, marred by all the vices attracted by uncontrolled opportunities from within and without. These divisive problems resulted in Harvard and Yale withdrawing to engage in what became their traditional annual contest and the formation of the NAAO (National Association of Amateur Oarsmen) to set amateur eligibility standards and rules of conduct.
The advent of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen, combined with whatever were the failings of the Rowing Association of American Colleges brought about the eventual dissolution of the latter and college rowing was reduced haphazardly arranged races sponsored by dedicated rowing enthusiasts, college classes and alumni groups with no formal organization. An attempt at revival of college rowing interest and control was the organization of a race a Poughkeepsie on the Hudson River which in a few years was formalized as the IRA (Intercollegiate Rowing Association) on a national and rational scale. As new trophy sponsorship together with institutional support and funding expanded interest and participation there came into being for the eastern part of the country the EARC (Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges) Sprints for both lightweight and heavyweight crews; the Dad Vail Regatta the Western version of the Eastern Sprints; and other regattas of more limited participation. And of course, there are the English, Olympic, and International competitions in which American colleges and clubs compete on invitation or on the initiative of stimulated successful crews.