Fonds Add. MSS. 50 - Kelowna Rowing Club fonds

The Kelowna Rowing Club has been operating on Okanagan Lake since 1913. Funds were raised to purchase three lapstreaks, and were ordered from the boat building firm of Pococks at a cost of $1000.00. The money for two of the boats was donated and they were rowed by teams represented by the Kelowna Fire Brigade and the B.N.A. Tobacco Company. The other boat had to paid for by money raised by the Kelowna Rowing Club. The boats arrived in Kelowna on July 17, 1913 and participated in the Regatta that year.
Training started as early as March 1st if the weather was half decent. Most of early rowers were English, and there were some exceptionally good ones. During the 1914-1918 war years was the time that mixed rowing team began and the ladies got into the act.
By 1921 the Club was doing well and it was decided to bring in the Vancouver Rowing Club to race in the Regatta. The was refused at first but with a little coersion from the members of the Kelowna Club, permission was finally given. That was the first year team from Vancouver and Nelson came to row against Kelowna.
The Kelowna Club continued to thrive until 2006 when there was a threat the the Club would fold. Thanks to a meeting where 25 people attended the Club has managed to stay afloat.