There have been some amazing female rowers throughout history, and in this article, we will take a look at the five who have achieved the most. These women come from different countries and backgrounds, but they all share one common passion – rowing. They have all competed at the highest level possible and achieved incredible things along the way. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 5 female rowers in history!
Helen Glover
Helen Glover is a British rower who was born in 1984 in Penzance, Cornwall. She attended the University of Birmingham, where she studied Sport and Exercise Science. After graduation, she joined the Army Rowing Club and competed at various events around the world. In 2012, she won a gold medal at the World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. She then went on to compete at the London Olympics in 2012, winning a gold medal in the women’s coxless pairs event.
Katherine Grainger
Katherine Grainger is a retired British rower who was born in 1975 in Glasgow, Scotland. She attended Durham University, where she studied law. After graduating, she joined Leander Club and began competing internationally. In 2000, she won a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics, and followed this up with a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. She also won gold medals at the World Rowing Championships in 2007 and 2011.
Grainger retired from competitive rowing in 2013, and now works as a television presenter and sports commentator.
Heather Stanning
Heather Stanning is a British rower who was born in 1985 in Gosport, Hampshire. She attended the University of Bath, where she studied Sport and Exercise Science. After graduation, she joined Army Rowing Club and began competing internationally. In 2012, she won a gold medal at the London Olympics in the women’s coxless pairs event. She then went on to win another gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Stanning retired from competitive rowing in 2017, and now works as an Army officer.
Oksana Masters
Oksana Masters is a Ukrainian-American rower who was born in 1988 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. She was orphaned at a young age and spent time living in a state institution for children with disabilities. In 2005, she moved to the United States and attended Louisville Rowing Club. She made her international debut in 2010, and won a bronze medal at the London Paralympics in 2012.
Masters continued to compete at the highest level, and won gold medals at the Rio Paralympics in 2016 and the World Rowing Championships in 2017.
Susan Francia
Susan Francia is an American rower who was born in 1982 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She attended the University of Virginia, where she studied Kinesiology. After graduating, she joined Princeton National Rowing Association and began competing internationally. In 2008, she won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in the women’s eight event.
Francia continued to compete at the highest level, and won another gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012. She then retired from competitive rowing in 2013.
Evelyn Furman
Evelyn Furman is an American rower who was born in 1932 in New York City. She began her rowing career at the age of 19, when she joined the Women’s Rowing Association of New York. She went on to compete at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the women’s eight event. After retiring from competitive rowing, she became a coach and helped develop many young rowers.
Grete Waitz
Grete Waitz is a Norwegian former runner and rower who was born in 1953 in Oslo. She first rose to prominence as a runner, winning the New York City Marathon nine times between 1978 and 1988. However, she also had a successful career as a rower, winning silver medals at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. After retiring from competitive sport, she became involved in various charitable causes, particularly those relating to cancer research.
Amy Gentry
Amy Gentry is an American rower who was born in 1992 in Austin, Texas. She attended the University of Washington, where she studied Kinesiology. After graduating, she joined the United States Rowing Team and began competing internationally. In 2018, she won a gold medal at the World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. She then went on to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Gentry is currently considered one of the best female rowers in the world, and is expected to continue her success in the years to come.
Grace Prendergast
Grace Prendergast is a New Zealand rower who was born in 1994. She attended the University of Otago, where she studied Physiotherapy. After graduation, she joined the New Zealand Rowing Team and began competing internationally. In 2016, she won a gold medal at the Rio Olympics in the women’s eight event.
Prendergast has come such a long way since her introduction to rowing all those years ago, she has put herself truly at the top of the ranks now and must keep up her high standards to stay there.
Kerri Gowler
Kerri Gowler is a New Zealand rower who was born in 1992. She attended the University of Otago, where she studied Physiotherapy. After graduation, she joined the New Zealand Rowing Team and began competing internationally. In 2012, she won a gold medal at the London Olympics in the women’s coxless pairs event. She then went on to win another gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Gowler is seen as one of the most complete female rowers in New Zealand and probably the world. She is expected to continue her dominance in the years to come.
These are just a few of the amazing female rowers who have graced the sport throughout history. These female rowers have come from all corners of the globe and achieved great things. They are an inspiration to us all, and we can only hope that their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of female rowers. Thanks for reading!
Do you have a favourite female rower? Let us know in the comments below! Rowing is truly a sport for everyone, and we hope this article has inspired you to get out on the water and give it a try! Until next time, happy rowing!