The mother of US rowing dies at age 97

Ernestine Bayer (25 March 1909 – 10 September 2006) is considered the mother of US rowing. She started rowing at a time when it was unheard of for women to row and paved the way for other women to follow after her. In her lifetime, she was called the "Mother of Women’s Rowing" and the "Mother of Recreational Rowing".

he began to row several years after marrying Ernest Bayer, a silver medallist at the 1928 Olympic Games in the men’s coxless four. In 1938 Ernestine founded the Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club (PGRC) and through her efforts, the United States sent the first contingent of women to compete at the FISA European Championships in 1967. In 1972 she became a volunteer coach for the women’s club at the University of New Hampshire.

During her lifetime she received countless honours from the national rowing association: United States Rowing Sullivan Award nominee in 1992, member of the Helms Rowing Hall of Fame, Carlin Award, Coach of the Year, and named as one of rowing’s 10 most influential people of the century.

Ernestine was successful at masters rowing level. At the age of 91 she set the world record on the Concept II rowing ergometer in her category. That same year, she competed at the World Rowing Master’s Regatta in Montreal, winning the women’s double, the women’s eight, and taking 2nd in the mixed double.

Ernestine suffered her first stroke in March 2003. She recovered enough to be able to row in a double. In July 2005 she had a second stroke which left her paralyzed on her right side and unable to speak. She died September 10, 2006 at the age of 97. She was predeceased by her husband in 1997. They are survived by their daughter Ernestine.

A memorial rowing service is planned for October 15th, 9:00 AM in Exeter, NH. There will be no wake or funeral per her wishes. Please e-mail condolences and request for an invitation to the memorial to ErnestineBayer@verizon.net.

Donations in her memory will go to establish a fund for a rowing scholarship, endowment stipends, and start-up programs. Please send donations to Daniel Jones Escrow on account of Ernestine Bayer, PO Box 526, Exeter, NH 03833-0526.

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