Of boats, regattas and the Adyar river

During our journey through the Kotturpuram Bridge, many of us might have stopped vehicles just to have a glimpse of the training at the Madras Boat Club (MBC) and enjoy its beauty. Located by the river Adyar, the Madras Boat Club is one of the main historic landmarks of Chennai. The second oldest rowing club in India, the MBC is now in its 150th year celebrations!

Established in 1867, MBC has been part of the famous Madras-Colombo regatta, the oldest inter-club regatta in the world and Amateur Rowing Association of the East (ARAE) regattas — boat races — from the beginning.

Though the celebrations started in July 2016, the major regattas began only this January. One of the upcoming high-profile regattas is the Merchants, Bankers & Clubs (MB&C) regatta to be held on June 24. Thrilled about the club’s 150th year celebrations, the current captain, organisers and members talk about their memories and the boat club culture that has evolved over the years.

Rabindranath Rao, the organiser of the MB&C, says, “It’s been ten years since we conducted the Merchant and Bankers regatta. It’s the club’s 150-th year and we have decided to revive it. But over the years the concept of ‘Merchants & Bankers’ has evolved into other forms of commerce. In the last few editions of M&B, none of the companies that participated were old established corporate firms, but from advertising and IT industries. Also, there are very few merchants and bankers who are interested. With the progressing scenario, we have decided to welcome clubs like Gymkhana Club, Andhra Club and Yacht Club to name a few. We have rechristened Merchants & Bankers to Merchants, Bankers & Clubs Regatta.”

One of the senior members of the club, Rabindranath started rowing way back in 1972.

“I am happy the way MBC has evolved over the years. When I started off, it was mainly a men’s sport and only a few women could be spotted rowing. Over the years, the idea of rowing has changed. We have a lot of women rowers who represent MBC in national-level competitions. We do have summer camps for children. Out of 50 kids who participate, at least 20 come back to become student members and continue their journey with the club.”

Another member Sumana Narayanan can’t pass a day without rowing and it has now become a part of her life. She started rowing as a student but took a break while in college. “Since I had to live elsewhere for my work, I dropped out of MBC mid-way. Now I’m back in the city and have been part of MBC for four years. I feel good meeting old acquaintances and staff at the club. My mother and four of my aunts rowed and represented the club for Madras-Colombo Regatta a couple of times,” says Sumana, who works with an NGO in the city.

James Joseph

She also says that unlike before, the boat culture in the city has changed for the better — “Rowing has become a favourite sport among the city peeps, with a lot of events happening at the MBC. People consider it a rich man’s game. But I beg to differ. The training fee for children is very nominal. I am happy to see children coming over to the club with a lot of enthusiasm.”

Some of the regattas that take place at the boat club are 100 years old and have a great history. “Currently, I am training one of the MB&C teams. Also, I am looking forward to the Madras-Colombo Regatta, to be held in July. If the captain feels I am fit and in good form, I can be a team member,” she smiles.

We quiz Rabindranath about how the members cope up with the polluted Adyar river. “To be frank, the water wasn’t clean back in 1972 either! But it has become better over the years. Once in a while, the Corporation workers and individual organisations do clean the river,” he says.

The current captain James Joseph, who is busy with the ongoing activities, is excited about the last leg of celebrations. “We are in the last phase of celebrations and all the members are thrilled about the upcoming tournaments. We will be ending the celebration this July with an international regatta,” he says.

James started rowing at the MBC from 1985 and has won gold and silver medals for several national boat races.

“I am passionate about rowing and the boat club is like my second home. Being the present captain, I feel there should be strict measures to clean up the Adyar river. It’s high time we save the river and should stop encroachments,” he concludes.