1962 World Rowing Championships


The 1962 World Rowing Championships were the inaugural world championships in rowing. The competition was held in September 1962 on the Rotsee in Lucerne, Switzerland. Rowers from West Germany dominated the competition, winning five of the seven boat classes.

Background

The Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron decided in 1961 that, like at the Olympics, rowers from the whole world should compete for a championship title; thus far, they had only organised the European Rowing Championships, although they were open to rowers from outside of Europe. Prior to the 1974 World Rowing Championships, only men competed. Seven boat classes were part of the inaugural world championships that was held from 6 to 9 September on the Swiss Rotsee. There were 401 competitors from 24 countries with 107 boats at the competition. Between 13 and 17 competed per boat class.

German rowers

FISA did not recognise East Germany, hence only one German crew was permitted per event. Selection trials between East and West German crews were held on 3 September on the Rotsee, three days before the start of the championships. As was predicted by East German media outlets, West German crews would win in six of the seven categories, with 1960 Olympic single scull silver medal winner Achim Hill the only successful East German qualifier, beating Edgar Heidorn from Hanover. During the world championships, Hill did not proceed beyond the heats, though.

Medal summary

Medalists at the 1962 World Rowing Championships:

Men's events

Event codes

Medal table

Country Gold Silver BronzeTotal
5016
1326
1214
0101
0101
0011
0011
0011
Total77721

The countries that did compete but did not win medals were Denmark and the Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, Norway and Poland, Belgium, Japan and Sweden, Australia, Finland and Canada, Israel, Yugoslavia, and Hungary, and New Zealand and Portugal.