Rowing marks 150 years in Portugal

By Melissa Bray

Claim to the oldest club in Portugal goes to rowing and this weekend they celebrate. The Lisbon Naval Club is 150 years old. This weekend the Portuguese Rowing Federation celebrates this milestone with a gala evening of festivities.

World Rowing takes a look at Portuguese Rowing:

How did rowing first arrive in Portugal?

In Portugal, rowing was born in the 19th century and was a sport very appreciated, mainly by the royalty.

What kind of people first took to the sport?

The sport was deeply associated with Portuguese royalty, especially the King D. Carlos and Queen D. Amélia who had their favourite boats and clubs. The Portuguese Royal Navy also had an important role in the development of rowing. So, we can say that rowing was linked to the social elite.

What part of the country did it begin in?

Rowing began in Lisbon, then moved to Porto and Figueira da Foz.

Where was rowing done?

Rowing was done on rivers: Tejo, Douro and Môndego.

In what era did Portuguese rowing flourish the most?

This period began in the 1930s and lasted until the end of the 1950’s.

What is the name of the original club?

In Portugal, rowing was born in 1856, with the creation of Real Associação Naval. Today it’s called Associação Naval de Lisboa and this is the oldest club in Portugal. They celebrate 150 years. In 1862, two other clubs appeared: Rowing Tagus Clube and Clube de Remeiros Lusitano - these two later merged into Clube Naval de Lisboa.

What is the strength of Portuguese rowing today?

Rowing is one of the sports with a long history in Portugal. This makes it a well respected sport. Because rowing is an expensive activity, it is a sport of medium strength in Portugal.

What kind of celebration is taking place for the 150th anniversary?

The celebration of this date is going to happen in a restaurant in Lisbon, on 25th November. During this event, there will be an awards ceremony, in which some of the more relevant personalities who dedicated their lives to rowing in Portugal will receive medals. The presidents of the nine clubs that celebrate over 100 years of existence will be recognised. There will be an exhibit of pictures from the beginnings of rowing in Portugal, until the more recent events and competitions as well as a movie that presents some of the most important events of the last 150 years - later on this movie will be showed in schools as a way of bringing new athletes to the sport.

Are there any people well known in the rowing world who will be taking part?

One of the most special guests that will take part of this event is the president of FISA, Denis Oswald. Pedro Silva Pereira and Laurentino Dias, who are ministers of government, will also attend the ceremony. Several others personalities will be present, such as athletes who have won medals at the Olympic Games (as well as in the national and international competitions) politicians, presidents of clubs, members of the Portuguese Rowing Federation, journalists, and many others. With thanks to Carla Reis for the information.

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