WORLD ROWING TOUR

History

Rowing Tours are organised yearly for approximately 60 to 80 recreational rowers around the world. FISA's World Rowing Tour first took place in 1971 on Lake Constance in Germany and has been organized annually ever since. Its purpose is to introduce recreational rowing to nations that are yet unfamiliar with rowing or only know rowing as an Olympic sport.

For the past 38 years, rivers, lakes and seas in Europe, the Americas and Australia have welcomed rowers of all nationalities and ages who, in addition to rowing, enjoy beautiful scenery, sight-seeing and making long-lasting friendships.

In 2004, the Rowing Tour began in Tyn nad Vltavou, one of the oldest Southern Bohemian cities which dates back to the tenth century. It then meandered through the fully restored UNESCO world heritage town of Cesky Krumlov, with its thirteenth century castle complex and unique baroque theatre.

Rowers also went to visit Holasovice, a peasant village in baroque style (also on UNESCO's world heritage list) known for its fishing industry. About seven days, 160 km, four dams and seven locks later, the rowing tour crew arrived in Prague City, the Czech capital so famous for its incredibly diverse Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture designed over the past nine hundred years.

One year later, in 2005, World Rowing Tour participants explored 160 km of Dutch waterways from Rotterdam to Amsterdam. The rowers encountered five locks, discovered the true taste of Heineken beer and experienced the real view of life below sea level.

In 2008, rowers headed to South America for the very first time, rowing on the Tigre near Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Participation

The participants have to fulfill the following requirements: be skilled and able to row both single and double oars, be able to swim, be able to take care of oneself in a critical situation, and be equipped with his or her own life jacket. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of each participant to see to his or her own insurance policy.

Organisation

The tours are generally organised in countries which have started to take an interest in recreational rowing. The national rowing federation of the host country arranges the tour in close co-operation with FISA's Rowing for All Commission.

During the last few years up to 3 yearly tours have been organised, one for junior rowers and 1 or 2 for seniors (for instance one in Europe and one in North America). In order to obtain permission to host a FISA Tour, it is necessary that the organising country owns the appropriate boat equipment.

National Federations who wish to organise a FISA Tour are to send an application to the Chair of the Commission two years in advance. Having obtained permission, the individual organiser should send out an official invitation to all member countries of FISA no later than 7-8 months before the start of the tour.

The invitation should include a programme for the tour along with the distances to be rowed each day, information on accommodation and meals as well as the participation fee. Applications for participation are to be sent through the individual’s club or federation to the organising country.

Rules and Regulations

The World Rowing Tour is governed in accordance with FISA’s Rules and Bye-Laws. To download them, click on the links below.

• FISA’s Rules of Racing for Tour Rowing
• FISA Events Organisation Regulations and Departures from the FISA Rules of Racing for Tour Rowing
• FISA Events Competition Regulations and Departures from the FISA Rules of Racing for Tour Rowing

FISA’s Rowing For All Commission has published The Rower’s Guide to Safe and Pleasurable Touring. Click here to download it.

2010 Event 

In 2010, the World Rowing Tour will be held in Brisbane (AUS) from 9 to 17 October.