Australian rowing eights racing at the Henley Royal Regatta
Date1912
Object number00019298
NamePhotograph
MediumBlack and white photographic print on paper.
DimensionsOverall: 238 x 288 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThe famous rowing site of Henley-on-Thames, England, is shown in this photograph. A crowd of spectators are gathered around the shore and in boats watching two crews of rowing eights racing on the Thames River. An inscription on the verso of the photograph indicates that one of the sculls is the Australian rowing eight which won the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in 1912 (Henry Hauenstein was one of the crew).HistoryThe annual Henley Royal Regatta originated in 1839. The Regatta, held over five days, begins on the first weekend in July. The most prestigious race held at the Regatta is the Men's Eight, and winners are awarded the Grand Challenge Cup.
Rowing was promoted in independent schools and university colleges in England and Australia as an athletic practice to improve the mind as well as the body, and promote the ideal of amateurism in sport - doing the task for its own sake rather than for monetary rewards. This fostered the notion of the gentleman rower and intensified divisions along religious and class lines where manual labourers (watermen) were excluded from amatuer competitions for a long time. Rowing Eights represented the most difficult form of crew rowing requiring intensive training, coordination and stamina.SignificanceThis photograph is an important record of international rowing competitions in the early 20th century.
Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales
1898
1880s - 1960s
