Lachine Rowing Club is celebrating its 150th birthday

In 1863, a group of Scottish and engineers were brought into the township of Lachine, Canada, as part of a work detail designing bridges and railway segments for the Grand Trunk Railway. Searching for relaxation and sport, this group of young men established the first ever “Oarsman club” (rowing) off the Lachine wharf, not far from its present day location at 2801 St. Joseph Boulevard in Lachine.

The birth of the Lachine boating and canoeing club became the first ever official rowing club in North America. Since its humble beginning here in Lachine in 1863, the sport has grown to over 1500 rowing clubs across North America.

Over its colourful and eventful history, the Lachine rowing club has had such prestigious members as the Dawes brothers, the Bickerdikes, at least two members of the Molson family and of course, members of the Jenkins clan.

Rowing races in the late 1800’s would draw people all over the USA and Canada to the shores of St. Louis to watch and bet on the Lachine Oarsmen and other competitors.

The Lachine rowing club is still producing world class athletes and is home in the summer to dozens of young men and women as well as older athletes.

To celebrate this auspicious occasion, the Lachine rowing club will be hosting rowers from across North America in a series of rowing races and other special events.

The first inaugural event to celebrate this very special 150th birthday will be an indoor rowing championship to be held at our very own 150 year old college Sainte- Anne, on Saturday February 2.

Follow our activity on our website www.avironlachine.ca