Calcutta Rowing Club, one of the popular rowing clubs in India is situated in the city of Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. This club was founded in the year 1858 and happens to be one of the oldest rowing clubs in India.

History of Calcutta Rowing Club
Calcutta Rowing Club was founded by few enthusiastic oarsmen in 1858, and is the oldest club in the east. It is one year older then Shanghai! As per the records the first boat owned by the Calcutta Rowing Club was a six oared boat bought from Mr. Gavin of Salka for Rs 300. The first boat house had thatched roof on the bank of Hoogly River near Chandpal Ghat. This boat house was constructed in 1860 that lasted till 1964, until fierce cyclone swept it away!

After lot of argument with the inmates, the successor to this boat house was built near Fort Point in the year 1865, as it was thought it could interfere with the field of fire of some of their guns should an enemy fleet sail up the Hooghly River. In 1866, an eight was imported and more in 1870. But unfortunately, no eight remain in Kolkata today.

In the year 1888, as the land was demanded by Port Commissioners for their railway and in 1899, Calcutta Rowing Club had to abandon its boat house at Fort Point. And a new lease was granted for boat house in Strand Road. As a matter of fact, rowing took place in Eden Gardens as well during succeeding years. But it became very difficult with the increase in the number of steam ferry boats and tugs. The records during this time show boats being infested and the crew members having to struggle for their lives, against strong under currents of river. As a result of the same, regular rowing on Hooghly was abandoned!

After this various sites were tried out as an alternate option, including the Tolly`s Nullah and even the huge tank in Eden Gardens that has long since been filled-in. The Port Commissioners came for the rescue in 1897, and offered a course on the Dock Basin at Khidderpore. It is now occupied by Coal Dock! A site was allotted and boat house was built and Club then had almost straight 3/4 mile course that could take 3 crews racing abreast. Amongst other things, in 1899, this led to visit to Poona (now Pune), when the defeat of 1877 was avenged. The year 1902 formed the beginning of an event known as "Class Fours" that later got renamed as "Merchants Cup". In the same year, a Four were sent to Madras (now Channai) and its members succeeded in winning the Fours, Pairs and Sculls.

Two years later, the club was struck with fresh blows and the hunt for new place began. Shift of the base was made to the canal near Majerhat Bridge. Notwithstanding the vagaries of the water level in the canal, occasioned by the state of the tide and the varying requirements of the dock-rowing was carried on there until 1928, when the shift was made to Dhakuria Lakes, now known as Rabindra Sarobar.

The excavation of the main part of the lake was completed by 1929, and a full 1000 yards course was made available. The very same year saw, the inception of CRC`s two immediate neighbours, Lake Club, joining the rowing community in Kolkata in 1932, followed by Bengal Rowing Club in 1935. The origin of Calcutta University Rowing Club goes back to 1918 when it started on the Maniktala Canal, in 1983, the University joined hands with other rowing clubs on the bank of Rabindra Sarobar.

Inspired by Calcutta Rowing Club, in 1931, first concrete steps were taken to establish the Amateur Rowing Association of the East, and as a result of the step the A.R.A.E. became active in 1933 when its first Regatta was held at Pune in the state of Maharashtra.

To make rowing popular in India, the oarsmen, in 1973, of Kolkata formed the first State Rowing Association in India, taking on all the Rowing Clubs in Kolkata. The West Bengal State Sports Council and the Bengal Olympic Association duly recognized West Bengal Rowing Association (WBRA), and since 1974, WBRA has been organizing the yearly State Rowing Championship with the help of its affiliates. The Calcutta Rowing Club has taken a leading role in setting up the Rowing Federation of India in 1976 and the First National Rowing Championship of India was organized by WBRA in 1977.

The interest generated by the formation by the formation of various State Associations and Rowing Federation of India gave the right fillip for inclusion of Rowing events in the Asian Games of 1982 for the first time. India again took the lead in forming-Asian Rowing Federation in 1982 with 10 Asian countries joining the Federation initially.

It was in Calcutta Rowing Club that the first Annual General Meeting of the Asian Rowing Federation was held in 1983 and the Club Played the role of a brilliant host.

Facilities at Calcutta Rowing Club
Quality Cuisine in house services.
Ice Cream and Snacks Parlour.
Heritage Bar
A.C. Dining Hall.
Lush Green Lawn and Bar facing Lake.
A.C. Conference Hall for large Gatherings
A.C. Meeting Room for 25/30 heads
Swimming Pool.
Accommodation for Reciprocal Club Members (Proposed).

Sports Facilities
Rowing
Table Tennis
Badminton
Dart
Multi-gym.