Marty Zuehlke was our speaker on 7th of February and talked to us about the history of rowing as a sport and his involvement with the rowing community here in Austin. Rowing is the only sport that started as capital punishment- rowing on a warship. In the late 18th century, it became a sport at schools with the invention of sliding seat, which used legs instead of so much arms and shoulders. Rowing is the most aerobic and anaerobic sport. It sometimes has an elitist stigma because it began at prep schools and Ivy League schools and the equipment can be expensive. Austin’s rowing club predates Boston clubs – it began in 1895. In the late 1800s, it was a popular spectator sport with lots of betting, but got a black eye because of gambling. Lady Bird Lake is one of top training lakes in the US and world, as you can train on it all year round. There are two huge junior teams in Austin, along with the UT women’s team, a team at St. Edward’s Univ. and master teams and social crews. Many female junior rowers end up getting college scholarships. The Heart of Texas Regatta is in 3 weeks on March 3 and 4 on Lady Bird Lake east of I-35. 1000 rowers is average number rowing weekly in Austin, and there are all kinds of programs, including those for Paralympians, veterans, and other persons with varying abilities. If you want a great work, check into rowing in Austin!
