Feature: Rowing in Faroe Islands

Rowing is considered the national sport of the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Island Rowing federation is in 2020 celebrating 40 years anniversary with 33 rowing clubs with a total of 136 boats consisting of a mix of boats for 5, 6, 8 and 10 rowers. These boats are traditional open Faroe boats that are different from the coastal boats used in FISA Coastal rowing regattas. This boat type has now also been introduced to the Faroe Rowing clubs so hopefully we will see strong Faroe Island rowers participate in the FISA Coastal rowing regattas.

There are no inland rowing venues. All regattas take place in the ocean with race distance from 1000 to 2000 meters in tough water conditions which means that the rowers in addition to racing against their competitor boats also has to fight against the wind, waves and currents from the open North Atlantic sea. 

The rowing season is short, from early June to late July. There are seven rowing races held individually at regional village festivals. The final race is held in late July during   St. Olavs Day which is the National holiday of Faroe Island.

With a short rowing season due to the sea and weather condition indoor rowing has grown considerably in the Faroe Island. Strong Faroe rowers participate in various big indoor regattas in Scandinavia and the Worldrowing indoor rowing championships.