Amsterdam roeikampioenschappen 1921

Summary

Reportage about the European Rowing Championships on the Amstel in September 1921.

In 1921, the European Rowing Championships were held on Amsterdam’s Amstel River. On that day in September, a large audience watched the rowing matches for skiff and double-skiff, as well as the races with two, four, and eight rowers. The film shows how spectators in rowboats and pleasure craft try to find a good spot along the banks of the river before the matches begin. On the shore, the audiences watch the tournament while walking, cycling, or driving in carriages and automobiles.

Once the lane is unlocked, the starting gun fires at Den Omval. The finish line is located between the boathouses of the Amsterdam rowing clubs De Amstel and De Hoop, near the Amstel Hotel. The famous Dutch skiffer Frits Eijken rows to the starting line. His race turns out to be successful: thanks to a good start, he becomes the European champion. Moments later, the Dutch double-skiff team wins their second European title, despite a collision. We also see how the French lower their boat into the water for ‘two with coxswain’ race. The film ends with the launching of the boats for the final match: the 8-man with coxswain race.