Happy Birthday FISA ? 112 years old

Today the International Rowing Federation, FISA, celebrates 112 years.

FISA grew out of the rising popularity of the sport and the hence the need for a uniform set of rules. Up until this point race distances varied and there were no restrictions on the design or construction of boats. Any kind of prize could be offered and amateurism was virtually unknown. Betting was rampant with the keenest betters being the members of the jury and the oarsmen themselves.

?We are, of course, all in agreement concerning the need to banish the idea of financial gain; and our every effort will be exerted to this noble end.? Turin, Italy, 25 June 1892.

To follow are some snippets taken from FISA’s centenary book:

The first regatta under FISA was in Orta, Italy a year after FISA came into being. There were three events, the men’s single, coxed four and eight and ten entries. The singles raced 2,000 metres while the fours and eights raced 3,000 metres on a straight course. Professionals, including paid coaches, were excluded.

?In a boat, all the muscles, yes, all of them, are exercised,” L’Aviron, 21/3/1896

The main international regatta, called the men’s European championships attracted less than 15 entries for many years, but slowly grew in popularity extending to countries outside of Europe.

In 1925 the 27^th men’s European championships in Prague attracted crowds of over 30,000 spectators with the last 600 metres of the 2,000-metre race containing a large paying enclosure. By this time the number of entries had increased to 24 in seven categories.

?Boat houses are the monasteries of sport, demanding a whole-hearted commitment to work, with no thought for profit or applause, for this is not an ostentatious sport.? Remy Orban 1927

Lucerne, Switzerland’s Rotsee course was first used in 1934 and was touted as a jewel. A ?grandstand train’ packed with over 1,000 people followed the races.

In 1954 women got their own championships although it was noted, ?they had been rowing since the beginning of the century and elegantly.? Thirty-four crews competed in five events with the finals day raced in front of a crowd of about 20,000 on Amsterdam’s Bosbaan. The Bosbaan was one of the first regatta courses where spectators could follow the races on a moving grandstand.

The reign of FISA’s esteemed president Thomas Keller began in 1958 when the young Keller, still competing at a very high level, took office after the death of former president Walter Blaser. Keller remained in the position for 31 years.

In 1962 a name change saw the start of the World Championships with Lucerne’s Rotsee considered the obvious choice. With 102 entries in seven events each country was allowed only one entry per event and 45,000 people came to watch the finals. Excess nationalism was considered inappropriate so the medals ceremony did not include the hoisting of national flags or playing national anthems.

The first championship outside Europe was in 1967 in St. Catharines, Canada with the best European oarsmen flown in on a specially chartered plane.

Lightweight men got added in 1974 when FISA decided to give positive encouragement to all those under 70 kilos as, up until then, 90 kilos was the average weight needed to have any chance of winning.

FISA’s current president, Dr. Denis Oswald took over from Keller in 1990 and in 1992 the federation celebrated 100 years.