Reference

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)

Poughkeepsie Regatta · Edward "Ned" Hanlan · Marist Archives and Special Collections Exhibits and Collections Edward "Ned" Hanlan Canadian born Hanlan was a champion sculler and became a professional rower in 1874/1875. Hanlan continually defended his title and only lost 3 out of 600 races in his career. 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. Hanlan retired from rowing in 1897 and became the first head coach at the University of Toronto Rowing Club. He would leave Toronto for Columbia University in 1900 to serve as head coach. Hanlan had a major impact on rowing and was the subject of the 1986 film, T_he Boy in Blue_, starring Nicholas Cage.

Ned Hanlan - Rowing Canada Aviron Learn More About RowingLearn more about rowing in Canada Row For Canada Rowing For AllFind out more about the Community Sport for All initiative Events National EventsLearn more about the RCA National Events Row For Canada Row For Canada Rowing For All Events Events In 1880, racing on London’s historic Thames River, Hanlan beat Australian Edward Trickett in front of 100,000 cheering spectators, becoming Canada’s first World Champion in an individual or singles event. Hanlan became the first head coach of the newly formed University of Toronto Rowing Club in 1897, filling this post until the turn of the century. Canada’s first individual sporting hero (1880 World Championships)