International Regatta KRC Ghent

The International regatta KRC Ghent is an international rowing regatta held by Royal Club Nautique de Gand (KRCG) in Ghent, Belgium. It is one of the oldest and largest rowing regatta's held in Belgium and has been held since 1897.

Originally called the Cluysen - Ter Donckis Regatta, it was held on Ascension Day, as traditionally people walked barefoot in the dew before sunrise and then enjoyed the first rays of spring sun in these rural areas at that time.

From 1888, there was also the Bootjesvaring or May - Regatta, a combination of a Sailing Regatta during the morning and rowing regatta. The audiences were from working class to and populated both banks of the canal. It was organised by Royal Club Nautique de Gand together with Royal Sport Nautique de Gand on the Belgian - Dutch Ghent-Terneuzen Canal.

From 1906 to 1909, the sport of rowing became extremely popular in Ghent. This was after Ghent rowing associations where the first foreign teams to win the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in England. On their return to the European continent the Belgian winning team was received with the highest honour. King Leopold II granted permission for the clubs to add the title "Royal" to their club name immediately. They also decided to add additional funds to the rowing regatta. Until then, no English rowing teams had ever visited a foreign rowing regatta, however after the defeats in Henley they entered the regatta to challenge the clubs of Ghent.

In 1913, during the World Expo of Ghent, the European Rowing Championships were held at Cluysen - Terdonck. The European Rowing Championships were highest rowing level regatta, together with the Olympic rowing regatta in those years.

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