Reference

Ned Hanlan, the legendary Canadian sculler, was the first to understand and exploit the sliding seat, developing a technique that made him world champion from 1880 to 1884. His sculling technique was so effective he won despite being, in rowing terms, a midget - just 5ft 9in (175cm) tall and weighing in at about 10 stone (64kg).

Edward "Ned" Hanlan (12 July 1855 – 4 January 1908) was a Canadian professional sculler, hotelier, and alderman from Toronto, Ontario. He developed speed and strength by rowing his boat with freshly-caught fish to sell at market before other fishermen arrived to compete.[3][4] By the time Hanlan was a teenager, he was competing in rowing events and he gained his first important success at the age of eighteen, when he became amateur champion of Toronto Bay. Rowing career Strangely enough, of the twelve Championship races that Hanlan rowed none of them was raced in Canada. For further details of the World Title races that Hanlan was involved in see World Sculling Championship. Edward Hanlan of Toronto – Champion Sculler of the World (George Rees, 1880)

Hanlan always wore a blue shirt while rowing and became known as the "boy in blue." He had an efficient stroke and took full advantage of the sliding shell seat. He is considered the father of modern rowing technique. Hanlan retired from rowing in 1897 and became the first head coach at the University of Toronto Rowing Club.