Gertrude Lewis

1887 - 1953

BiographyGertrude Lewis 'Gertie' and her sister Kathleen Maude Leah Lewis were professional Sydney sculling champions in the early 1900s. The sisters raced in both single and double sculls an also excelled at swimming and diving. Their elder brother Reginald Leopold competed in sculling and built rowing boats at Jack Adams boatshed at the Spit, Sydney.

After winning numerous double sculling contests with her sister, Kitty Lewis' career was cut short in 1906 when she was badly injured when a rowlock pierced her thigh whilst racing. Gertrude was Ladies Sculling Champion of Australia six times in succession from 1906-1911 equalling Harry Pearce's record of Australian Championship titles. Like male scullers of the time, Gertie and Kitty chose their own distinctive racing colours - red cap to match their red hair, long navy skirt, white jumper with a red sash, black stockings and shoes. They were coached by Mr Louis James Francis who subsequently married Gertie.

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