South African Rowing Team of Color Makes History

By: Olivia Armstead

Four South African rowers made history as the first rowing crew of color from the country to compete internationally. 

The team competed at the esteemed Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 17-19, amongst many other competitors. 

According to Boston.com, advocates have tried diversifying the Charles event in recent years by gathering athletes from all over the world. As a result, several history-making teams are participating, including the first all Black women’s 8+ team from the U.S. and an indigenous 4+ team/native women’s 4+ team.

The journey has not been easy for these four young rowers and has come with many trials and tribulations. 

“It takes a lot to be at this regatta,” said Lwasi-Tsebo Zwane, one of the rowers on the South African team, per Boston.com. “There’s been a lot of pitfalls, there’s been a lot of barriers.”

“There’s structural limitations, there’s neglect,” added Arshay Cooper, founder of a foundation that worked to bring not only South Africa’s crew of color to the Charles, but other underrepresented teams as well, per Boston.com. “There’s talent everywhere, but not a lot of access and opportunity.”

According to WBUR, modern competitive rowing was started in the 19th century at prestigious schools in Britain and the U.S., like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. Rowing was not accessible to people who were not working class, male, or white. 

Furthermore, a 2016 analysis conducted by U.S. Rowing discovered that the typical rower is perceived as “white and comes from a middle or upper-class suburban community”, per WBUR. 

Now, the event is looking to change the overall narrative of the lack of diversity in rowing and is moving towards making the sport more inclusive and representative of all people of all backgrounds. 

 Young people participating in other water sports outside rowing are hopeful and inspired by this recent representation, and are enthusiastic about the direction the industry is moving in. 

“[...] I hope with these milestones we can see more diversity in [these sports] because [they are] so underrated and incredible,” said Kera Beckles, a student on the sailing team at Hampton University. “I think it sends the message that we can break the stereotype and dominate in a place that used to try to keep us down. It makes us more strong and well-rounded. It most of all gives a very unique perspective.”