Overview
Mercantile Rowing Club was founded in September 1880 by young men from the merchant warehouses of Flinders Street and Flinders Lane — first as the Junior Warehouseman's Rowing Club, renamed Mercantile a year later — and rows from Boathouse 5 on the Yarra by Princes Bridge, in the heart of Melbourne. Known as the 'Mecca of rowing', it has raced senior crews continuously since its first championship four in 1895 and has produced Olympic gold medallists at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, including the famous Oarsome Foursome. Members still race at home and abroad, from Victorian regattas to the Head of the Charles in Boston.
- Founded
- 1880
- Federation
- Rowing Australia
- Registry code
- ABN 63 905 335 931
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreThe app finds the rescue centre for where you are, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Racing
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingHistory and achievements
- 1880Founded in September as the Junior Warehouseman's Rowing Club
- 1881Renamed Mercantile Rowing Club
- 1895First championship four — the start of continuous senior rowing
- 1992Olympic gold in Barcelona (again in 1996, 2004 and 2008)
Location
- Position
- 37°49.19′ S 144°58.23′ E
-37.81985, 144.97049 - Address
- Boathouse 5, Boathouse Drive
Frequently asked
When was Mercantile Rowing Club founded?
In 1880.
Where is Mercantile Rowing Club?
Boathouse 5, Boathouse Drive.