This edition of the European Rowing Championships was for women only and was held from 12 to 14 August.

The two German rowing associations first met at the Café Warsaw [de] in East Berlin in January 1960 and agreed that qualification races would be held for both the European Championships and the Olympic Games, with the details to be agreed on at a further meeting in March.

[4] At further negotiations in Berlin in Mai, it was agreed that qualification races for the European Championships and the Olympic Games would be dealt with separately.

[5] In the end, the West German view of having a single regatta decide the representation prevailed, and Olympic qualifications were decided on 6 August on the Wedau Regatta Course in Duisburg.

[6] The qualifications for the European Championships were held at the same weekend, but it is not clear from media reporting whether this happened at the same venue.