[1] Rowing has a long history in Hamilton with races attested from the mid 1800s and formal clubs operating from the latter half of that century such as the Hamilton Rowing Club, that shuttered its doors as the bicycle craze took off around the turn of the century.
[2] The current club was established by the issue of letters patent by the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Ontario dated 28 May 1927.
[2] Since its founding, the Leander Boat Club has produced a number of National, World and Olympic Champion rowers and crews.
[3] Both the Canadian and UK clubs trace their name to the Greco-Roman mythical hero Leander (Leandros), who died while swimming between Europe and Asia to visit his lover, Hero, across the Hellespont near the ancient cities of Sestus (Greek: Sestos) and Abydus (Greek: Abydos).
[3][5] A number of local high schools as well as McMaster University run rowing programmes as affiliate members of Leander Boat Club.