Wellington Rowing Club

Wellington Rowing Club rows on Wellington Harbour from its clubhouse beside the lagoon on Taranaki St Wharf, on the Wellington city waterfront. The club was formed in 1885 and was one of nine clubs that helped establish the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association in March 1887.

The club has around 150 active members, from novices to masters, and takes both experienced rowers and complete beginners. Club crews race in Rowing New Zealand divisions from intermediate upwards, with the New Zealand Rowing Championships in February as the main target. The masters squad, open from age 27, focuses on the National Masters Championships and the Legion of Rowing regattas at Karapiro and Rotorua. Learn to row courses run in some years, depending on coach availability.

The club hosts five school rowing clubs: Samuel Marsden Collegiate, St Patrick's (Town), St Mary's College, Onslow College and Wainuiomata High School. It also hosts the Victoria University Rowing Club. The main season runs from 1 August to 31 March, and many squads train through winter.

The clubhouse was built in 1894 to a design by Frederick de Jersey Clere as a base for the Wellington Naval Artillery Volunteers. The club became its custodian in 1931, and the building was refurbished and moved to its present site in 1990 as part of the Lambton Harbour redevelopment. The upstairs function room is hired out for events.