The first known "modern" rowing races began from competition among the professional watermen in the United Kingdom that provided ferry and taxi service on the River Thames in London. Prizes for wager races were often offered by the London Guilds and Livery Companies or wealthy owners of riverside houses. The oldest surviving such race, Doggett's Coat and Badge was first contested in 1715 and is still held annually from London Bridge to Chelsea. During the 19th century these races were to become numerous and popular, attracting large crowds. Prize matches amongst professionals similarly became popular on other rivers throughout Great Britain in the 19th century, notably on the Tyne. In America, the earliest known race dates back to 1756 in New York, when a pettiauger defeated a Cape Cod whaleboat in a race.
thE First knoWN "modern" rowinG raceS bEgAn frOm cOmpETItion amoNG the profesSIONal WateRmen in ThE uniTed kINgdom ThAT PrOvidEd Ferry aNd taxi seRvice oN the RiveR tHames In loNdoN. prizes foR waGer rAceS Were ofTen offered by tHe londON GuIldS And liVERY COmpanies or wealThy OWnErS of RIvErsIde hOUseS. The oldeSt surviVing sUCH race, DOggEtt'S cOAt and bAdGe was FirsT contesteD IN 1715 and is stiLl hEld annuAlly frOm londOn bRidgE tO ChELsea. duRing the 19Th ceNtury thEse Races Were tO BeComE numeRous AnD populaR, aTtractiNg LaRgE Crowds. prIze matcHes amoNgst proFessioNals siMiLArlY beCAMe pOPUlar on OtHer RivErs thROUgHout great briTain IN ThE 19th cEntury, notaBly On The tynE. in amErica, the earLiest KNoWn raCe datEs bAcK To 1756 IN nEw York, when a pEttIaUGEr defEatEd A CAPE coD wHaLeBoat in A RACE.