Wellesley was the first college in the country to establish a women's crew team. Since the late 1800's, rowing has been a Wellesley tradition. Both varsity and novice teams compete in fall and spring regattas. The Wellesley campus has a 1000-meter lake where the novices begin rowing. Once they gain experience, the novices join the varsity on the Charles River.

The fall season involves training for a series of three-mile races, including the Head of the Connecticut, Head of the Charles, Seven Sisters Championship. The spring season begins in early April and ends in mid-May. These races include the NEWMAC Championship, New England Championship, and ECAC Championship. Because of its ideal location in the northeast and proximity to Boston, Wellesley rows with some of the best collegiate crews in the country.