Rowing is one of the few sports where being extremely tall is almost a prerequisite for success at the elite level. Longer arms and legs generate more power per stroke and allow rowers to cover greater distance with each pull. The average Olympic rower is significantly taller than the general population, and the sport’s best athletes are often giants who combine enormous physical frames with remarkable endurance.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest rowing player ever is Adam Kreek at 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest rowing players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Rowing Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adam Kreek | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | Canada |
| 2 | Olaf Tufte | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Norway |
| 3 | Mahe Drysdale | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | New Zealand |
| 4 | Sir Steve Redgrave | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | United Kingdom |
| 5 | Matthew Pinsent | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | United Kingdom |
| 6 | Hamish Bond | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | New Zealand |
| 7 | Drew Ginn | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | Australia |
| 8 | Eric Murray | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | New Zealand |
| 9 | Pete Reed | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | United Kingdom |
| 10 | Rob Waddell | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | New Zealand |
1. Adam Kreek — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: Canada
Adam Kreek won Olympic gold in the men’s eight at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Canadian rower was one of the tallest Olympic rowing champions ever and competed at the World Championships multiple times. After retiring from rowing, Kreek became an author and motivational speaker.
2. Olaf Tufte — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Norway
Olaf Tufte won two Olympic gold medals in the single sculls at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Norwegian rower was one of the most dominant single scullers in history and competed at five Olympic Games from 1996 to 2012. Tufte used his height and power to generate exceptional boat speed.
3. Mahe Drysdale — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Mahe Drysdale won Olympic gold in the single sculls at the 2012 London Olympics and is a five-time World Champion. The New Zealand rower was the dominant men’s single sculler of the 2000s and 2010s. Drysdale competed at five Olympic Games and is considered one of the greatest single scullers of all time.
4. Sir Steve Redgrave — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: United Kingdom
Sir Steve Redgrave won five consecutive Olympic gold medals from 1984 to 2000, making him one of the greatest Olympians of all time. The British rower competed across various boat classes including pairs, coxless fours, and coxed pairs. Redgrave achieved his final gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics at age 38 despite battling diabetes and colitis.
5. Matthew Pinsent — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: United Kingdom
Sir Matthew Pinsent won four consecutive Olympic gold medals from 1992 to 2004, partnering with Steve Redgrave for the first three. The British rower was a ten-time World Champion and is one of the most decorated rowers in history. Pinsent famously won his final gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics in a dramatic photo finish.
6. Hamish Bond — 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Hamish Bond won Olympic gold in the pair at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics with partner Eric Murray, going unbeaten for seven years. The New Zealand rower then switched to the single sculls and won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Bond and Murray are considered the greatest coxless pair in rowing history.
7. Drew Ginn — 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Country: Australia
Drew Ginn won three Olympic gold medals for Australia in rowing, competing at the 1996, 2004, and 2008 Olympics. The Australian rower was known for his exceptional technical ability and mental toughness. Ginn overcame a serious back injury that required surgery to return and win gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
8. Eric Murray — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Eric Murray won Olympic gold in the pair at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics alongside Hamish Bond. The New Zealand rower went unbeaten in the pair for seven years from 2009 to 2016, one of the longest undefeated streaks in rowing history. Murray was known for his incredible power output and consistency.
9. Pete Reed — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: United Kingdom
Pete Reed won three Olympic medals including two gold medals in the British coxless four at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. The former Royal Navy officer was part of a dominant British rowing team and competed at three Olympic Games. Reed held the indoor rowing world record and was known for his physical conditioning.
10. Rob Waddell — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Rob Waddell won Olympic gold in the single sculls at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was a four-time World Champion. The New Zealand rower was known for his incredible physical power, once holding the indoor rowing world record. Waddell later served as the New Zealand flag bearer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in sailing.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these rowing giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Rowing may be the sport where height matters most. Longer levers, greater reach, and the ability to generate massive power per stroke make tall athletes natural rowers. The giants on this list used their extraordinary physiques alongside incredible fitness and technical skill to reach the pinnacle of Olympic rowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is the average Olympic rower?
Male Olympic rowers average approximately 6 ft 3 in (190 cm), making them some of the tallest athletes at the Olympics. Female Olympic rowers average approximately 5 ft 10 in (178 cm). Rowing strongly favours taller athletes.
Why are rowers so tall?
Taller rowers have longer arms and legs, which creates longer strokes and generates more power per pull. This biomechanical advantage means that height is one of the strongest predictors of rowing performance at the elite level.
Who is the greatest Olympic rower ever?
Sir Steve Redgrave of Great Britain is widely considered the greatest Olympic rower, with five consecutive gold medals from 1984 to 2000 across different boat classes. Mahe Drysdale and Hamish Bond from New Zealand are also among the all-time greats.