Nereus Rowing Club
Encyclopedia
The Amsterdam Student Rowing club (ASR) Nereus, (Dutch De Amsterdamsche Studenten Roeivereeniging (ASR) Nereus) was founded in 1885 by Mr. J. Schölvinck as a subsidiary organization of The Corps, an Amsterdam
student fraternity. Within a short period of time, Nereus started proving itself by achieving big successes and winning its first event in 1888 followed by a winning streak of four Varsity
victories 1891–1894. After obtaining national recognition, Nereus finally made its mark on the international rowing scene by winning at Hamburg in 1891 and by winning the Thames Challenge Cup
at Henley Royal Regatta
in 1895.
Nereus has provided rowers for the Netherlands' national Olympic crews, of which the golden men's eight in Atlanta (1996)
, the silver quad in Sydney (2000)
,the silver men's eight, bronze lightweight women's double and women's eight in Athens (2004)
are recent examples. At the Beijing Olympics (2008)
the Nereus lightweight women's double won the gold medal.
Nereus has won the most prestigious and oldest student rowing event of The Netherlands, The Varsity
, which is modelled after the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, a total of 38 times.
The club's first boathouse
was built in 1886 along the river Amstel
. It was situated closer to the centre of Amsterdam
than the present one. The old boathouse was demolished during the Second World War. The current boathouse was opened in 1953. A miniature version of the Nereus boathouse can be found in Madurodam
.
Membership of Nereus was originally confined to members of The Amsterdam Student Corps, also ‘The Corps’. Changes in Dutch society in the 1970s and decreasing membership levels caused Nereus to welcome non-Corps members as well as merging with its female counterpart Thetis.
Nereus will celebrate its 25th lustrum on its 125th Dies Natalis on December 11, 2010.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
student fraternity. Within a short period of time, Nereus started proving itself by achieving big successes and winning its first event in 1888 followed by a winning streak of four Varsity
Varsity (rowing regatta)
The Varsity is a rowing regatta on the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal in Houten, Netherlands. The Varsity is the oldest and most prestigious student rowing regatta in the Netherlands....
victories 1891–1894. After obtaining national recognition, Nereus finally made its mark on the international rowing scene by winning at Hamburg in 1891 and by winning the Thames Challenge Cup
Thames Challenge Cup
The Thames Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's eights at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from a single rowing club. Boat clubs from any university, college or secondary school are not permitted, neither are squad...
at Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
in 1895.
Nereus has provided rowers for the Netherlands' national Olympic crews, of which the golden men's eight in Atlanta (1996)
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
, the silver quad in Sydney (2000)
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
,the silver men's eight, bronze lightweight women's double and women's eight in Athens (2004)
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
are recent examples. At the Beijing Olympics (2008)
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
the Nereus lightweight women's double won the gold medal.
Nereus has won the most prestigious and oldest student rowing event of The Netherlands, The Varsity
Varsity (rowing regatta)
The Varsity is a rowing regatta on the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal in Houten, Netherlands. The Varsity is the oldest and most prestigious student rowing regatta in the Netherlands....
, which is modelled after the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, a total of 38 times.
The club's first boathouse
Boathouse
A boathouse is a building especially designed for the storage of boats, normally smaller craft for sports or leisure use. These are typically located on open water, such as on a river. Often the boats stored are rowing boats...
was built in 1886 along the river Amstel
Amstel
The Amstel is a river in the Netherlands which runs through the city of Amsterdam. The river's name is derived from Aeme stelle, old Dutch for "area abounding with water"....
. It was situated closer to the centre of Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
than the present one. The old boathouse was demolished during the Second World War. The current boathouse was opened in 1953. A miniature version of the Nereus boathouse can be found in Madurodam
Madurodam
Madurodam is a miniature city located in Scheveningen, The Hague, in the Netherlands. It is a model of a Dutch town on a 1:25 scale, composed of typical Dutch buildings and landmarks, as are found at various locations in the country. This major Dutch tourist attraction was built in 1952 and has...
.
Membership of Nereus was originally confined to members of The Amsterdam Student Corps, also ‘The Corps’. Changes in Dutch society in the 1970s and decreasing membership levels caused Nereus to welcome non-Corps members as well as merging with its female counterpart Thetis.
Nereus will celebrate its 25th lustrum on its 125th Dies Natalis on December 11, 2010.