GAR emerged in 1998 from the union of two local high school rowing clubs: Gainesville High School and Eastside High School. In 2006-7, GAR had rowers from Buchholtz High School, Eastside High School, Gainesville High School, Loften High School, Oak Hall School, PK Yonge Developmental Research School, Sante Fe High School, Bishop Middle School, Kanapaha Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, and Westwood Middle School.  

   More than 20 GAR alumni are currently rowing in college. Six of these receive either full or partial rowing scholarships. GAR alumni have gone on to row for Boston College, Northeastern University, Rollins College, Rutgers University, U.S. Naval Academy, University of Central Florida, University of Chicago, University of Florida, University of Iowa, University of North Carolina, University of Texas, University of Pennsylvania, University of Rhode Island, and Yale University.

1994-1995      Founding of Eastside High School Crew

                     EHS Crew purchases its first boat

1995-1996      EHS Crew team grows to 27 rowers

                     EHS Crew acquires two more boats with the purchase of an 8 and the gift of a 4

1996-1997      Founding of Gainesville High School Crew

                     First Gator Head Regatta, October

                     First Newnans Lake Crew Classic Sprint Regatta, March

                     First Gainesville rowers receive college rowing scholarships

                     EHS Crew purchases another 8

                     GHS Crew acquires two boats through a donation by Dr. Robert Cade, inventor of Gatorade

1997-1998      Rowers from Buchholz High School and PK Yonge join the EHS Crew

                     EHS and GHS Crews build new Newnans Lake boathouse with significant financial support from Dr. Robert Cade

                     First EHS Crew boat qualifies for USA Youth National Crew Championships

                     EHS Crew purchases two more boats

1998-1999      EHS Crew becomes Gainesville Area Rowing (GAR) as more non-EHS rowers join the crew, including rowers from the Oak Hall School

                     GAR acquires two 4s, one of which was a gift from the Lewis family

1999-2000      Men’s Varsity 8+ medals at USA Youth National Crew Championships

                     Women’s Novice 4+ wins gold at FRSA State Championship regatta

                     Women’s Freshman 4+ wins gold at FRSA State Championship regatta

2001-2002      Women’s Varsity lightweight 8+ wins bronze at USA Youth National Crew Championships

                     Women’s team wins gold at FRSA State Championship regatta

                     Men’s team wins gold at FRSA State Championship regatta

2002-2003      GHS Crew merges with GAR to form one united team

                     Women’s Varsity 8+ wins bronze at FRSA State Championship regatta

2003-2004      Women’s Varsity 8+ wins gold at John Hunter Regatta, the largest regatta in the south east.

                     Women’s Varsity lightweight 4+ qualifies for USA Youth National Crew Championships

                     Men’s Varsity lightweight 8+ qualifies for USA Youth National Crew Championships

                     GAR acquires two 4s, one of which was a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Goering

2004-2005      Women’s Varsity 8+ and Men’s Junior Varsity 4+ both win bronze at FRSA State Championship regatta

2005-2006      GAR places second among Youth clubs at Southern Sprints

                     Every novice boat entered at the novice regatta earns a medal

                     EveryGAR sweep boat at FRSA State Championship regatta qualifies for the finals with GAR earning gold medals in WJV4 and WFr4; silver in WLt4; and bronze in MV4, WV4, W3d4, and M3d4

                     GAR competed at the SE Regional Championship Regatta (this was the first time this event included Florida teams). Of GAR’s championship boats, the MV4 qualified for Nationals by finishing third. Once again, all of GAR’s sweep boats qualified for finals. Of these, the W2d4 and WJV4 earned gold; and the MV4 and W3d4 took third.

                     GAR purchases another 8 and a quad

2006-2007      GAR experienced a theft at the boathouse. Over $6,000 worth of rowing equipment was stolen

                     Every men’s novice boat earned a medal in every novice race they entered.

                     GAR wins a brand new set of sweep oars after placing first in Concept 2’s national video competition.

                     The middle school sculling programs grows to 20 rowers

                     Men’s Varsity 4x qualifies for USA Youth National Crew Championships with a third place finish at the SE Regional Championship Regatta.

                     GAR purchases another 8