Rowing, in its present form was brought to the Sub-Continent by the early British settlers. Rowing clubs sprung up in the main trading posts, wherever suitable stretches of water were found near their settlements. The first such club, The Calcutta Rowing Club, Calcutta was founded in 1858 followed by the Madras Boat Club, Madras in 1867, the Royal Connaught Boat Club, Pune in 1868, Karachi Boat Club, Karachi in 1923 and the Rangoon University Boat Club in 1923. Rowing remained an exclusive sport amongst a close-knit, elitist member circle among the British. Regular races were held round the year between local clubs with keen competition amongst its members. The standard of racing was quite high and travelers from England brought the latest trends and innovations in the sport to India. In 1933, the Amateur Rowing Association of the East (ARAE) was formed amongst clubs from the East and an annual regatta was organized in December every year. This event continues even today with a good racing and organizational standard amongst rowing clubs.