History

Founded in 1978 by an ardent group of has-been college rowers, initially the club stored its equipment outside until 1985 when the Town of Palm Beach paid money to settle the shirtless jogger litigation which gave the club money to build the present boathouse on North Australian Avenue. With the attraction of both indoor storage and a shower facility, membership grew each year.

Serving both resident and non-resident members (“snowbirds”), today, PBRA attracts rowers from as far away as Jupiter and Delray Beach. Proximity to I-95 makes the club highly accessible. 

Starting in 1984, PBRA also attracted a group of non-resident world-class rowers who raced—and won-- together at regattas all over the world. Typically, PBRA enters regattas ranging from the U.S. Masters Nationals, FISA World Masters and The Head of the Charles. Medals line the boathouse walls. 

Governed by a volunteer board, each year the club seeks to improve its equipment and facility on behalf of the members. In the last three years, two new Fluid singles and a Fluid double have been added to the club fleet. 

For the past five years, the club has held a Sunday morning “Tour de Lac” race that is either 5,000 meters in preparation for the head racing season or 1000 meters in preparation for the sprint season. All members are welcome to participate. Starting positions are staggered with handicaps based upon age, weight, previous performance and other random criteria to guarantee photo finishes.