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Exported from Great Britain, rowing came to Germany in the early 1800s. The first German rowing club was founded in Hamburg in 1836 following an initiative of British rowers living there.  Over the next half century, a large number of rowing clubs were founded all over the country culminating with the birth of the German Rowing Association (DRV - Deutscher Ruderverband) in March 1883, including 34 rowing clubs and 1166 members at the time. 

Back then, the regatta scene was dominated by racing in pairs, fours, single sculls and eights, with single scullers held in the highest regard among athletes and spectators.  Until 1905 the German Championships were conducted in this class only.

Around 1884 women started to enter the German rowing scene in this by its roots “gentleman’s sport”.  By 1892 every fourth member of the rowing sport was a woman and the first women’s rowing club was founded in 1901.  In 1919, women had their first regatta with competitions in “rowing style”.  The first “speed races” for women were introduced in 1921, over 1000m.  The first German Championships in this category were held in 1937 – but the style competitions remained part of the German regatta programme until 1969.  The first German Championships for “youth races” were held in 1937.  Lightweight rowing races were introduced in Germany in 1925.

Racing dominated the rowing scene until the start of the 20th century.  Since then, rowing in Germany is not only about competing in racing shells but also is a leisure sport with gig-boats.  More and more clubs developed a strong interest for the leisure rowing scene (Wanderrudern) with trips being organized on the large number of Germany’s splendid waterways.  Long distance tours and gig-races were also introduced to the regatta schedule. 
Today, almost every club offers rowing to both interest groups.

During the two World Wars German rowing suffered a harsh blow with many of the club houses built over the last 100 years as well as the majority of the boats being destroyed.  Nevertheless the first post-war regattas took place in 1946.  The post-war period then saw German rowing being split into two, following the division of the country into East and West:  From 1965-1991 there were two German rowing teams and rowing associations (DRV & DRSV).  With the fall of the Berlin wall in November 1989 German rowing was reunited.  The two German Rowing Teams that each successfully competed on the international rowing scene for over 30 years became one team again in 1991.

Today, the German Rowing Association (DRV) has the largest membership within the world rowing federation, FISA, and is one of the most successful rowing countries in the world.  In fact, since 2000, the DRV actually is the most successful rowing association in the world.  Also, the DRV is the oldest sports association in Germany and ranks at the top as one of the strongest and most successful sport associations in the country.

Rowing is enjoyed all over Germany and by every age group – ranging from children to adults, as well as masters rowers - living up to its slogan “Rowing, a sport for everybody aged 8-80” .