Kent School Boat Club is one of the longest-standing and most accomplished scholastic rowing programs in the country.
Founded in 1922 on the Housatonic River, rowing has for more than a century been an integral part of life at Kent and a defining expression of the school's values. From its inception, the program has emphasized discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility, treating rowing not simply as an athletic pursuit but as a formative educational experience.
Kent rowing established itself early as a leader in interscholastic competition. In 1927, Kent became the first American secondary school to compete at Henley Royal Regatta, reflecting an outward-looking perspective that would shape the program for generations.
The Kent Girls Boat Club was established in 1973, following Kent's transition to coeducation. From the outset, the girls' program quickly developed into a nationally respected force, earning New England championships, national titles, and international racing experience.
In 1986 and 1987, the Kent girls' first eight were back-to-back National Schoolgirl Champions. The program has won seven NEIRA titles and produced numerous national champions and elite rowers.
Over time, the boys' and girls' programs were brought together under a unified framework, ensuring shared standards, resources, and a cohesive vision while preserving their distinct histories and traditions.
The influence of Kent rowing extends well beyond school years. Alumni from both programs have gone on to compete at the highest levels of the sport, to coach and lead rowing programs throughout the country, and to remain actively engaged in rowing in a wide range of roles.
For many, the lessons learned through rowing at Kent continue to shape how they approach leadership, collaboration, and challenge long after graduation. Commitment to excellence, shared responsibility, and the value of hard work done well are habits forged on the Housatonic.
Today, KSBC is a unified program that honors its full history while preparing students to meet the demands of competition and life beyond school with seriousness of purpose and respect for tradition.
"Almost certainly the best crew that ever rowed in the Thames Cup."British Press, covering Kent's 1933 Henley Royal Regatta victory
A century of milestones, from Father Sill's first eight-oared shell to national championships and a return to Henley.
Father Frederick H. Sill, Kent's founder and former Columbia coxswain, established KSBC and purchased the school's first eight-oared shell for $800. The program was grounded in Kent's ethos of simplicity, self-reliance, and sportsmanship.
Kent became the first American secondary school invited to compete at Henley Royal Regatta in England. Racing in the Thames Challenge Cup, they narrowly lost their first heat to the eventual 1927 winner. A transatlantic tradition was born.
Kent won its first Henley championship in the Thames Challenge Cup. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent Father Sill a letter of support and good wishes. British press called the Kent crew "almost certainly the best crew that ever rowed in the Thames Cup."
Kent won the Thames Challenge Cup again in 1938, then 1947 and 1950, reaching five Henley victories by mid-century and more than any other American school. Life magazine featured Kent crews in May 1937 and June 1948.
William "Hart" Perry Jr. was appointed head coach. A former Dartmouth oarsman, Perry led KSBC for three decades, instilling rigorous standards and a deep passion for the sport in thousands of students.
Kent's undefeated boys eight won the New England Championship, then traveled to Henley and won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, becoming the first American school ever to do so. Their story is chronicled in the book Men of Kent.
The Kent Girls Boat Club was established following Kent's transition to coeducation. In their early years, they won four of the first five NEIRA titles contested, immediately becoming a national force.
The Kent girls' first eight won back-to-back National Schoolgirl Championships, cementing the girls' program as one of the premier scholastic rowing programs in the country.
After Hart Perry's retirement, Eric Houston (Kent class of 1979) took over the boys program. Houston had rowed for Perry and won NEIRA and Stotesbury gold as a Kent student, carrying on the tradition from the inside.
Kent won the USRowing Youth National Championship in the boys 8+, then reached the Princess Elizabeth Cup final at Henley, nearly upsetting Eton College. The strongest Henley performance since 1972.
Kent's girls 1V eight won the NEIRA championship and the Youth National Championship, underscoring the enduring depth and excellence of the girls' program.
Several hundred alumni gathered at Kent to celebrate 100 Years of Rowing. At Henley 2022, the 1972 boys and 2002 girls championship crews reunited for a special exhibition row. The two-volume history More Than Rowing by Peter Mallory was published.
2027 will mark the centennial of Kent's first appearance at Henley Royal Regatta. KSBC is actively planning to celebrate with alumni, supporters, and potentially new crews on the storied course.
As KSBC enters its second century, alumni and supporters play an essential role in ensuring the program continues to thrive.