Rowing at the 1980 Summer Olympics was represented by 14 events.

[1] It took place in the Man-made Basin, located at the Trade Unions Olympic Sports Centre (Krylatskoye district, Moscow).

[1] Due to the Western boycott some strong rowing nations were not present.

In that situation East Germany dominated the competition: they won 14 medals, including 11 golds, from 14 events.

[3][4] A total of 470 rowers from 25 nations competed at the Moscow Games: