Pink Sleeves Stay: Croker Oars Renews as World Rowing Official Supplier

The Australian family-owned manufacturer, founded in 1962, continues its longstanding relationship with World Rowing under the organisation’s refreshed Supplier Programme.

Lausanne, Switzerland / Oxley Island, Australia – 11 November 2026

World Rowing and renowned Australian oar manufacturer Croker Oars have renewed their longstanding relationship, with Croker continuing as a World Rowing Official Supplier under the organisation’s refreshed Supplier Programme.

Few rowing brands are as instantly recognisable as Croker. With their distinctive pink sleeves, Croker oars are a familiar sight on rowing courses worldwide, from local club regattas to the Olympic Games and World Rowing Championships.

Founded in 1962 by Howard Croker, the Australian family-owned and operated company has evolved from a traditional wooden oar manufacturer into one of the sport’s most recognised producers of high-performance rowing oars. Still manufacturing on Oxley Island, New South Wales, Croker combines more than six decades of specialist oar-making experience with ongoing product development, testing, and refinement.

Across generations, leading athletes and national teams have trusted Croker oars, which have featured at the Olympic Games, World Rowing and European Rowing Championships, and other major international regattas.

Among them are Croatian brothers Martin and Valent Sinkovic, who became the first crew to break the six-minute barrier in the men’s double sculls. With three Olympic gold medals between them across the double sculls and pairs events, they are Croatia’s most decorated Summer Olympic athletes in history.

Their achievements at the highest level of the sport reflect the trust generations of elite rowers place in Croker equipment.

For a family business that has spent more than six decades making oars, its connection to the international Rowing community remains central to its identity.

Reflecting on the renewal, Darren Croker, CEO of Croker Oars, said:

“From our beginnings in Australia more than 60 years ago, our focus has remained on producing equipment that rowers can trust, while continually refining our products to meet their evolving needs. Our continued relationship with World Rowing strengthens our connection with the international Rowing community and supports our commitment to athletes, clubs and teams around the world.”

Christian Osterode, Head of Broadcast & Marketing at World Rowing, highlighted the significance of continuing the relationship.

“Few brands are as recognisable in international Rowing as Croker Oars. Their distinctive pink sleeves, exceptional craftsmanship and decades of innovation have made Croker an important part of our sport’s identity,” said Osterode. “We look forward to continuing this longstanding relationship as a World Rowing Official Supplier, recognising Croker’s contribution to our sport and creating new opportunities to connect its heritage, products and expertise with the global Rowing community.”

Croker’s renewal forms part of World Rowing’s refreshed Supplier Programme, which features an enhanced Official Supplier tier alongside the newly introduced Premium Supplier designation. The programme reflects the organisation’s evolution into a broader international sporting ecosystem encompassing Classic Rowing, Coastal Rowing and Indoor/Connected Rowing, while providing established and emerging companies with enhanced recognition, visibility and opportunities to engage with the global Rowing community.

As a World Rowing Official Supplier, Croker will benefit from opportunities for brand visibility across selected World Rowing platforms and communications, alongside storytelling and targeted activations that showcase its heritage, products and expertise to the international Rowing community.

Croker’s continued commitment reinforces World Rowing’s network of specialist manufacturers and industry partners, whose products, experience and expertise help equip the sport and support its continued development worldwide.

About Croker Oars

Founded in 1962 by Howard Croker, Croker Oars is an Australian family-owned and operated manufacturer of high-performance rowing oars. Based on Oxley Island, New South Wales, the company combines more than six decades of specialist oar-making experience with ongoing product development and innovation. Its distinctive, pink-sleeved oars are used by rowing clubs, athletes and national teams around the world. Visit: www.croker.com.au

About World Rowing

Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, World Rowing is the international governing body of the sport of Rowing. With 158 National Rowing Federation members, World Rowing sets the rules and regulations for the sport in all its forms, including Classic Rowing, Coastal Rowing and Indoor/Connected Rowing.

World Rowing also oversees Para Rowing, sanctions events, and supports coaching education and other matters related to the sport and its development. Through its international events, programmes and partnerships, World Rowing works to strengthen the sport and connect the global Rowing community. Visit: www.worldrowing.com

Media Contacts

Croker Oars Pty Ltd

Darren Croker

CEO

E: darren@crokeroars.com

World Rowing

Torin Koos

Head of Communications & Media

E: torin.koos@worldrowing.com