Madras Boat Club regattas attract new rowers

In the year 1900, a group of top merchants and bankers in Madras like Binny & Co., Parry &Co., Gordon Woodroffe, Best &Co., Metal Box, Wilson & Co., Arbuthnott & Co., Royal Bank of India, etc, came together to promote the sport of rowing. They initiated a regatta (series of boating races) called Merchants & Bankers Regatta (M&B) at the Madras Boat Club. The much-celebrated race was held every year since its inception (except for the war years) till 2007. During this time, the number of corporate entities and banks that were in a position to participate had dwindled.

When Madras Boat Club celebrated its 150th year in 2017, the members decided to revive M&B Regatta and one of the prominent rowers, Rabindranath Rao was asked to organise the race in a new avatar.“We needed to overcome the changing commercial scenario and felt that major clubs of like-minded people should be included in the event. We wanted more participants and that’s how we started including the clubs in the city. The race, Merchants & Bankers Regatta was rechristened as Merchants, Bankers & Clubs Regatta (MB&C) from 2017 and the third edition was held at the Madras Boat Club recently," says Rabindranath, who is fondly called as Robbie.

The six-day event saw ten teams competing in 18 events at the Adyar River. Apart from the usual rowers, the MB&C had participants from clubs like Royal Madras Yacht Club, Andhra Club, Madras Gymkhana Club, etc. Though the rowing techniques haven't changed over the years, Robbie says that the only prominent change was regarding the rowers that were sent by the companies.

"Those days, only the management staff of a company can be part of the regattas. Other employees weren't allowed for the race. But the rule has changed — the race has become more open. Because of this, participation has also increased. Moreover, people from the city, including children, are taking up rowing," notes Robbie.

Every year, the Madras Boat Club organises many regattas for senior and junior members, monsoon regattas, Madras-Colombo Regatta and so on. But the two major regattas that most of the members look up to are inter-club regatta called Amateur Rowing Association of the East (ARAE) and Merchants, Bankers & Clubs Regatta (MB&C). “This year, in addition to the traditional coxed fours race for Madras Boat Club Rowers, which showcases a much higher standard of rowing, we have reintroduced a race for Club oarsmen in coxless pairs which require the highest standard of rowing technique,” says the veteran rower.Every year, funds they receive from entry fees and sponsors (after regatta expenses), have been used to purchase rowing equipment. “This gives an opportunity to many who may otherwise have not tasted the excitement of rowing to get a feel for it and maybe, pursue their interest to take it up seriously,” hopes Robbie.