If you are one who likes to go to the beach often or like to spend time boating at sea, it is likely you have seen some boat races. As you relax, basking in the sun and inhaling the fresh and salty air, you see boats speedily going by and wonder what made these people want to race. You may have even participated in a few boat races yourself. As you race, you feel the adrenalin rush, as you strive to leave your opponent in the dust. It is likely you have wondered where boat racing got its origin. You wonder who had the first boat races and which boats were used. Well, whether you know it or not, boat racing has a long history, and this history has shaped what boat racing is today.

The first notable boat race took place in 1829 between Charles Merivale, a student who attended Cambridge, and his friend Charles Wordsworth, who attended Oxford. The race took place in Henley-on-Thames. The next race between the two universities took place at Putney in 1836. However, there was disagreement over the next couple of years concerning where the races should be held. Consequently, Cambridge decided to race the Leander Club in 1837 and 1838. But when the Oxford boat club was formed, the two universities resumed their races between one another. To this day, these universities still race, and there are now boat races that occur all over the world between schools, organizations, boat clubs, and individuals who just want to race for fun.

Before modern motorized boats, people would race in boats that had to be rowed with ores. Wen pedal boats were invented, these also joined the races. With row boats and pedal boats, winning depended on the operator's ability to row or pedal fast as well as how strong the operator was. It was also believed that much practice was needed to perfect speed and skill.

With the creation of motor boats, there are a wide variety of options for racers to choose, and these are relatively simple to operate. No longer do boats racers need to exert themselves because their ability to win will now depend on which type of boat they have and the strategies that they use to beat their opponents.

The two most popular types of boats that are used in contemporary boat races are speed boats and sail boats. Modern-day racers prefer to use motor torpedo boats, cigarette speed boats, the Stingray and Kawasaki boats, just to name a few of the most notable types.

Depending on the race that is being held, only certain types of boats will be allowed. Some races will dictate that the boats have to be a specific size and have a specific motor. Others will be lenient. Before you enter into any race, you need to check the requirements before investing in a boat you cannot use or entering just to become disqualified. Boat races that take place casually between you and your friends will not have these stipulations.