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Croker Oars
Croker Oars is a family-owned Australian manufacturer that has been crafting high-performance rowing oars for more than 60 years, evolving from a small regional workshop into a globally recognised supplier trusted by Olympic champions and elite rowing teams worldwide.
Howard Croker
Howard Croker and his son at Croker Oars
For more than 60 years, Croker Oars has helped athletes around the world chase speed, precision and excellence on the water, growing from a small regional workshop into one of the world’s leading oar manufacturers.
The business began in the early 1960s when founder Howard Croker started his apprenticeship in boat building. A passionate rower from a rowing family, Howard recognised a gap in the market for high-quality crafted oars. “No one liked making oars,” he recalls. “It was physically hard work, and I wasn’t scared of hard work. That’s how I got started.”
After completing his apprenticeship, Howard established Croker Oars and, in 1977, relocated the business from Sydney to Oxley Island near Taree. The company remains there today on the 70-acre property affectionately known as “REMO” – Spanish for rowing – on the banks of the Manning River.
Chasing Excellence
Howard Croker shares how a passion for rowing, a willingness to embrace hard work and a commitment to innovation helped transform a regional workshop into a globally recognised Australian manufacturer.
Howard Croker at Croker Oars
In 1962, Howard’s father gave him advice that would stay with him throughout his business journey: “Son, you must join Business New South Wales.” Howard did just that, and Croker Oars has remained a member ever since, relying on the organisation for advice, support and guidance as the business expanded into international markets.
From handcrafted wooden oars shaped one at a time to world-class carbon fibre designs used by elite athletes across the globe, Croker Oars has continually evolved through innovation and determination. The company’s oars have been used by Olympic champions and rowing teams worldwide, including during the Sydney Olympics where athletes using Croker oars won five gold medals.
Today, Croker Oars exports thousands of oars annually while remaining proudly regional and family-focused. “Rowing is a total passion for us,” Howard says. “It’s in our family. It’s in our bloodline.”
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