1888 Rowing Victoria State Championships
Unofficial championship racing was undertaken from as early as 1860 with the formation of the Melbourne Regatta. The Melbourne Regatta was clearly the pinnacle of amateur racing in Victoria and the Grand Challenge Cup certainly the championship race of that time.
However it was not until after the formation of the Victorian Rowing Association in 1876 that consideration was given to formalising Victorian Championships. By 1888, such annual Championships were established and were the most important rowing events of the year.
Note the sprawling Edwards Boatsheds which housed most rowing clubs, the original bridge, Brickmakers Swamp behind the sheds, the swamps of St Kilda Road and in the distance Albert Park Lake.
Index to Results:
Champion Men's Scull
(2 3/4 miles)
Time: 22:35
1st J C Fitzgerald, Williamstown
2nd Edward R Ainley, Yarra Yarra
3rd J Gilbert, Corio Bay
4th P J Fogarty, Yarra Yarra
Champion Men's Four
(3 1/4 mile)
Time: 19:32
1st Wendouree - Bow: S Wilson, 2: W Archibald, 3: J Mathieson, Str: W Gierck, Cox: H Kemp
2nd Banks
3rd Corio Bay
4th Yarra Yarra
5th Melbourne
Sources
The Victorian Oarsman with a Rowing Register, by John Lang, published by A H Massina and Company 1919.