Viking Rowing Club was founded in 1951 by a handful of ex-Wits oarsmen who having left University wanted to continue their rowing careers but could not bring themselves to join either of their rival clubs, Wemmer Pan or Victoria Lace Club. 

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The club constitution    was based on that of the renowned Leander Club in Henley, which  stipulates that any ex-university oarsman is eligible but membership is is by invitation and that membership also be extended to 25% of non- university men and women. 



The club's first location was shared with the WUBC based at Rand Leases Dam near Florida Lake, though in 1964 the mining company abandoned the dam and both WUBC & Viking Rowing Club were obliged to move to Wemmer Pan 

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In the clubs early days there was no Veteran or Masters rowing which meant that apart from social rowing and the occasional "old crocks" race, the older members started to drift away to other sporting activities. Once vetran rowing started in earnest in South Africa in the early 1970's Viking membership began to expand to what in now about 40 members. though never big in numbers, the club has  enjoyed much success by winning the Buffalo Grand and Buffalo Silver sculls as well as many S A Champs events. A number of Vikings have been awarded National colours. 



Viking Rowing Club has participated in as many  as 30 international events over the past 60 years . From Henley Royal Regatta in 1966 to many FISA Masters regatta's namely, Strathclyde, Vichy, Viareggio, Cologne, Vienna,  Zagreb, Dusburg as well as Perth, Brisbane, on the Nile, the Zambeiz, the Seine, the Danube, the Rhine and many more.

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The club provides a spiritual home to some 200 friends and ex-oarsmen and women which culminates with the annual dinner where  true fellowship comes together.