The Dutch rowing history can be traced back to the mid 19th century when it came allowed by law to establish clubs. The Dutch Rowing and Sailing Club, in Amsterdam, was the first club to be founded in 1847. Soon followed by De Hoop in 1848, De Maas in 1851 and De Dordrechtsche, also founded in 1851.

Until the founding of the first student rowing club the sport was dominated by professional oarsman who were in service of the rowing clubs. The sport was immensely popular, because it was new and there was no competition from other sports. There was also the possibility to bet on the crews.

In 1874 Njord was founded and was the first Student Rowing Club. Soon more student rowing clubs followed.: Laga in 1876, Aegir in 1878, Triton in 1880 and Nereus in1885. It was the beginning of a new era. The era of Amateur rowing.

From that moment on the students dominated the sport. They were the first to organize an annual regatta. The University Boat Race "Varsity" was born in 1878. Nowadays the Varsity is still the most important Regatta in the Netherlands. The organization of the Varsity is in the hands of the Royal Dutch Rowing Association (KNSRB). Members are the already named five student rowing clubs which are joined by Argo founded in 1913 and Skadi in 1927. These seven clubs are also called "corporalen".

In later years more student rowing clubs were established, but were not allowed to become members. The corporalen called them "knorren", because they compared them with pigs. These words are college humor. In 1967 all the student rowing clubs joined a new organization which was called Dutch Student Rowing Federation (NSRF) to represent them in contact with the Royal Dutch Rowing Association (KNRB).

Rowing in the Netherlands is governed by the Royal Dutch Rowing Association and is founded in 1917. In the Netherlands there are 110 clubs and the Royal Dutch Rowing Association has a membership of about 27,000 who compete at the 100 events held throughout the year.

Amsterdam is the center of the rowing community. A lot of regattas are held on the river Amstel and almost all the National Regatta's on the multi-lane international course Bosbaan, opened in 1937. The Royal Dutch Regatta (De Koninklijke Holland Beker) is a FISA top-rowing regatta and a famous international classic which can be compared with the Henley Royal Regatta.