Pocock Rowing
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Pocock Rowing is a Seattle, Washington-based racing shells manufacturer, founded in 1911. The company traces its roots to George Pocock, son of the head boat builder for Eton College at Windsor. Using funds obtained by winning a race on the River Thames, George and his brother immigrated first to Canada, then finally to Seattle in 1916. The company grew from building shells for University of Washington's (UW) rowing program, as well as through funds obtained by building pontoons for Boeing float planes.
After UW won the 1923 national sport rowing championship, Pocock's boats grew in notoriety. The company continued under the leadership of George's son Stan Pocock, and finally, under family friend Bill Tytus. Pocock Rowing also has assisted in the development of west coast rowing through the founding of Lake Washington Rowing Club and Seattle's Pocock Rowing Center. Pocock is also noted for designing the Husky Clipper, the red cedar boat in which University of Washington's men's eight won the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
In perpetuating the legacy and ideals of George Pocock, the George Pocock Rowing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Seattle, serves as a community resource for the support and advancement of the sport of rowing in the Northwest. Established in 1984 the foundation is active in objectively promoting an awareness of rowing in the Northwest through the development of new rowing programs, providing rowing opportunities for at risk children and adults in the community, and sponsoring men and women training for the U.S. National Rowing Team.
