The Avon Rowing club currently lists in excess of 200 active members which includes Men, Women and school rowers. Avon currently has a number of rowers in New Zealand representative squads.

 

The Club has always traced its origins back to the formation of the "trades" rowing club in 1881, and its change of name to Avon in 1884.

As the original name of "trades" denotes, the first members were drawn from the ranks of the young artisans and mechanics. At this time moves were being made to form the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, which was finally established in 1887.

However, the new NZ association adopted the rules and regulations of the Amateur Rowing Association in England, which specifically excluded "artisans and mechanics" from racing as amateurs. It was for this reason that a 'trades" rowing club would not be acceptable, and the Clubs name was subsequently changed to Avon.