Lou Scholes was one of Canada’s most successful athletes in the early 1900’s and set several records in track and field throughout his teenage years before deciding to direct his focus to rowing. He got his start in rowing at the age of 18 at the Don Rowing Club in 1898, where he would remain involved in the sport for over 40 years. He quickly became one of the top rowers in Canada and won his first major championship just three years later, placing first at the 1901 US National Championships. In 1902, he showed just how well-rounded an athlete he was, winning the Canadian heavyweight boxing championship. In what would turn out to be a wise choice, Scholes would give up the title shortly after winning to focus fully on rowing.

The next two years would be the most successful in Scholes career, as he would etch his name in the history books on multiple occasions. In 1903, Scholes won the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, the US National Championships for the second time, and the Dominion Day Regatta in the single sculls. He would also team with partner Frank Smith to win the Canadian and American national doubles championships. The success he had in 1903 would set him up for the peak of his career in 1904 when he travelled to London, England to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta on the famed Henley-on-Thames course.

Known as the Diamond Challenge Sculls, the men’s single sculls race at Henley is one of the oldest and most prestigious rowing events in the world. Scholes became the first Canadian to ever win the Diamond Sculls in 1904, setting a then-course record of eight minutes and 23 seconds on his way to the historic victory. He returned to Toronto after the win and was welcomed with a civic reception before an estimated crowd of 80,000. Scholes planned to return to defend his title in 1905 but was struck with Typhoid fever and was unable to attend. After a few years away from the rowing spotlight, he would return in 1908 to compete again in London at the 1908 Olympics. He would finish in fifth place in his lone Olympic appearance. Scholes retired from elite rowing the following year after winning the 1909 Pacific Coast Championships in BC.

Although he was retired from elite competition, Scholes would remain involved in rowing at the Don Rowing Club and became one of its main pillars and biggest supporters. He worked closely with Cities of Toronto and Mississauga to ensure the club’s survival and prosperity in the decades following his rowing career.

Outside of rowing, Scholes was a member of the Queen’s Own Rifles Bugle Band and served with the 48th Highlanders and the 180th Sportsmen’s Battalion, although he did not travel overseas with them during World War I due to a broken leg. After his recovery he was appointed Director of Sports for Military Division #2 with the rank of captain, eventually serving in Siberia for six months as brigade transport officer with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. He later became the supervisor of the track and field selection for the Ontario Amateur Athletic Union, a judge with the Ontario Boxing Commission, and an executive with the Sportsmen’s Patriotic Association.

Career Highlights:

• One of Canada’s most successful athletes in the early-1900’s
• First major victory came at the 1901 US National Championships
• Dominated the rowing circuit in 1903, victories included:
  • Royal Canadian Henley Regatta (single sculls)
  • US National Championships (single sculls)
  • Dominion Day Regatta (single sculls)
  • Canadian National Championships (double sculls – partner Frank Smith)
  • US National Championships (double sculls – partner Frank Smith)
• Became first Canadian to win Diamond Sculls in 1904, setting a then-course record of 8 minutes and 23 seconds
• 5th place at 1908 London Olympics
• Retired from elite rowing in 1909 after winning Pacific Coast Championships in BC
• Multi-sport athlete, set several records in track & field in his teenage years and captured the Canadian heavyweight boxing championship in 1902