Rowing club names throughout the world
Some of you have traveled the world and rowed in many rowing clubs. Do you remember all the rowing clubs names? Most of the names you find are very similar once you know the system behind it.
World Rowingtook a look around the world to highlight just a few of the many different ways rowing clubs are named. The following article is inspired by Fisa and their article published May 28th. 2019.
Rowing Club names: by Myths and Legends
“Many club names are rooted in ancient mythology or local legends. Take the Greco-Roman mythic figure of Leander, whose tragic story sees him drown on a swim from Europe to Asia. The story’s hero – not to be confused with his love interest, who is confusingly named “Hero” – is the namesake of Britain’s justly famous Leander Club. The club’s founders presumably chose the name based on the protagonist’s determination rather than his ability to stay afloat and at least two more clubs have adopted the same name – in Canada and South Africa.
Argonaut saga: Many clubs named their clubs after legends
Netherland and the myth-inspired club titles. As expected, a maritime theme is present in Greco-Roman names like Nereus (a sea god) and Proteus (the so called “old man of the sea”). There are also notable Norse influences like Aegar (a sea giant) and Vidar (god of vengeance). Go rowing in Amsterdam and you will find a great selection of different names.
World wide known: Argonauts rowing clubs:
“When it comes to the myth that rowers seem to have referenced most, however, the story of Jason and the Argonauts may take the prize. It is perhaps only fitting that rowing clubs would be inspired by this legendary crew of ancient Greeks, whose members included figures like the demi-god Hercules. Argo-inspired clubs span the globe from Germany’s RV Argo or Argonauten Ruderclub Meppen to Australia’s Melbourne Argonauts Rowing Club to Canada’s Argonaut Rowing Club to Greece’s Nautical Club of Volos & Argonauts to the Netherlands’ WSR Argo, to name a few.”
Clubs named by Location and Geography
Some clubs are bilingual
Some clubs are located at a lake and are maybe incorporated into a sailing or a swimming club. Seeclub (Lake club) Zürich or Club Nautique Geneva are examples as well as Sport Remo do Porto. They have been founded as a division of another water sports club or a sports club.
Home-town inspired club names are perhaps the most common in our community. From Münchner Ruderclub, Ruderclub Zurich, Shanghai Rowing Club in Shanghai, China to Barcelona, Spain’s Reial Club Maritim de Barcelona to Nairobi, Kenya’s Nairobi Ruiru Rowing and Canoe Club, many boasting a rowing club with their city’s name in the title. Cambridge University Boat Club and Oxford University Boat Club are fine examples of the straightforward way many institutions like schools, colleges and universities continue to name their rowing clubs almost 200 years later.
Russia’s Silver Forest Rowing Club near Moscow’s famous Serebryany Bor (silver forest) is one of many finding inspiration from the natural world around the boathouse. America’s Mile High Rowing Club and Rocky Mountain Rowing Club, both located at altitude in Denver, Colorado have names that similarly celebrate their unique location
Melnik Rowing Club CZ, where Vltava meets Elbe river
Rowing club names: by Founders
Sometimes, a rowing club takes its name from the individuals or group of people who founded the organisation. Argentina’s renowned Club de Remo Teutonia was formed by several members of the German community in Buenos Aires and took the name of the Teutons, an ancient Germanic tribe.
Another club founded by German expatriates in South America was the similarly styled Club Aleman de Remo Montevideo, literally the ‘German Rowing Club of Montevideo’ in Uruguay.
A more cryptic nod to their club’s creators is the historic ZLAC Rowing Club. Located in San Diego, California, the ZLAC Rowing Club that claims the title of oldest women’s rowing club in the world, received its name by combining the initials of the four founding women’s first names: Zulette, Lena, Agnes and Caroline.
Professional associations or companies have also given their names to rowing clubs such as Egypt’s Police Rowing Club or Japan’s Toyota Rowing Club.
Next time when you travel you will remember the clubs name. And you might apply the scme…” ahhh.. a club who used a legend as a name….
Did you notice also some funny names – let us know.
