7:00 pm
Rowing is indigenous to Halifax as a pursuit of employment. In the 1800’s, fishermen, merchant marines, navy personnel and harbour pilots needed to use the oar to do their work, the pilots would row out to an incoming ship, board it and pilot it into the harbour. It is said that rowing racing started there, when more than one would jump into their boat and race each other to the incoming ship of course, the first one to reach the ship would get paid.
A highly competitive race in 1937.
Katherine Harman, a competitive rower and coach will present a brief history of rowing in the region, with an emphasis on the Northwest Arm. With pictures and stories, she will tell the story of the culture of rowing in the early 1800’s and the huge popularity of rowing racing in the 1920’s and 30’s. The Halifax Rowing Club currently occupies two boat bays in the St. Mary’s Boat Club, is one of the oldest surviving rowing clubs and has witnessed many changes over the years. The last 35 years have witnessed a resurgence of rowing in Nova Scotia and is a competitive and recreational sport for youth and adults of all abilities.
Club receipt issued to Charles Young, North West Arm Rowing Club, 1938
For additional information:
Richard MacMichael
902-424-8897
richard.macmichael@novascotia.ca