A unique rowing tradition

Over 150 years ago, winning rowing crews at Oxford and Cambridge universities began painting their oars - and sometimes their rudders - with the names of their crews and the university or college coat of arms to create individual and unique trophies to commemorate their victories. The custom soon spread beyond the universities to the great rowing clubs of the time, Leander, Thames Rowing Club, London Rowing Club and others.

Hung on walls, or even from ceilings, these became lasting mementos of success in great races, and of the friendships forged in these crews.

Many of these oars have become treasures for the clubs and families that own them. A tradition that exists in no other sport.

The tradition of painting up a trophy oar to recognise a victory in a major competition is still alive, although there are only a handful of craftsmen who can produce these masterpieces of rowing history.