Robert Coombes (rower) facts for kids

Robert Coombes (born in 1808 – died on 25 February 1860) was a famous professional rower and a Champion Sculler. He was born in Vauxhall, Surrey, England.

Robert Coombes: A Rowing Legend

Early Days on the Thames

Robert Coombes spent his life on the River Thames in England. From a young age, he worked as a waterman. A waterman was someone who operated boats on the river, often transporting people or goods.

Even though he was quite small for his time, standing about 1.70 meters tall and weighing less than 9 stone (around 57 kg), Coombes was incredibly successful. He often beat much stronger and larger opponents. His secret was his amazing skill and dedicated training.

His first public race was in 1836. He quickly became known for his talent. In 1841, he even won a race in a single sculling boat against a boat with two pairs of oars! He competed against many top professional scullers, including John Kelley and Jack Phelps.

One notable race was in 1838 against John Kelley. Coombes won, and they raced again the next day, where Coombes won easily. This particular race was special because it was one of the first professional matches recorded where rowers competed fairly without trying to block each other.

Team Rowing Success

Robert Coombes was not only a great sculler (rowing with two oars, one in each hand) but also an excellent oarsman in team boats. He achieved many victories in both four-oared and pair-oared races.

For example, in 1839, he and J Phelps won a pair-oared race. In 1840, he was the stroke (the rower who sets the pace) for a four-oared crew known as "The Sons of the Thames". This team won a major prize in Liverpool and another in France.

Coombes continued to lead his teams to victory. In 1842, his London crew beat a Newcastle crew in a five-mile race. He also won a purse at the Henley Regatta in 1845. Later, in 1847, he and his brother Thomas won a pair-oared match against the famous R & H Clasper brothers. Interestingly, the Coombes and Clasper brothers sometimes teamed up, even winning a championship prize together in 1849.

Champion Sculler

Robert Coombes became the Champion of the Thames on 19 August 1846. He easily defeated Charles Campbell on the famous Championship Course between Putney and Mortlake. This title was effectively the championship of England. Before 1876, winning the English Sculling Championship meant you were the best professional sculler. Later, these early winners were recognized as World Champions.

He successfully defended his title twice. First, in 1847, against Robert Newell. Then, in 1851, he beat Thomas MacKinney. Coombes held the championship longer and rowed the course faster than anyone else during his time.

However, on 24 May 1852, when he was 43 years old, he faced a much younger challenger, Tom Cole (Oarsman), who was only 25. Cole won the race. Coombes's supporters were keen for a rematch, which was arranged later that year. But the result was the same, and Coombes had to give up his title to the younger, stronger competitor.

To learn more about his championship races, you can visit World Sculling Championship. Robert Coombes was known for his incredible speed and style, and he competed in more races than almost anyone else of his era.

Coaching University Rowers

Robert Coombes's great knowledge of rowing attracted the attention of university students. He became a coach for the famous The Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge universities. He coached Oxford in 1840 and helped Cambridge win in 1846.

He coached Cambridge again for both races in 1849, winning the first but losing the second. In 1852, when he was asked to coach Cambridge again, there was a discussion among university rowers. Some felt that amateur (non-paid) university athletes should train only with other amateurs, not with professional watermen like Coombes. This led to a shift where university rowing became more separate from professional rowing.

After this, Coombes was no longer involved with the Boat Race crews. However, he shared his training methods in a small book published in 1852 called Aquatic Notes or Sketches of the Rise and Progress of Racing at Cambridge.

His Family and Legacy

Robert Coombes was married and had four children. His sons, Thomas and David, also became oarsmen. While they were good rowers, they didn't achieve the same level of fame as their father. David Coombes did win the prestigious Doggett's Coat and Badge race in 1864.

Remembering a Champion

In his later years, Robert Coombes faced health challenges and became unwell. He spent his final months in a special care facility in Maidstone, where he passed away on 25 February 1860. His friends paid for his burial at Brompton Cemetery on 7 March, with many leading watermen attending his funeral.

To honor his memory, a monument was unveiled in Brompton Cemetery on 13 December 1866. It is made of Portland stone and stands tall, featuring a boat turned upside down with a coat and badge thrown over it, and broken sculls nearby.

The monument is supported by four stone figures, each representing a famous Champion of the Thames:

• Robert Coombes himself, in his rowing clothes, holding a broken scull.
• Tom Cole, who eventually took Coombes's title.
• James Messenger, another well-known rower.
• Harry Kelley, a strong athlete.

The inscription on the monument reads:

This monument was erected by public subscription

by the warm friends and admirers of

ROBERT COOMBES

Champion Sculler of the Thames and Tyne

Images for kids

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  Monument to Robert Coombes at Brompton Cemetery.

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  Another view of the Robert Coombes monument.