Steve Fairbairn (born 25 August 1862 in Melbourne, Australia, died 16 May 1938) was a rower and notoriously tough rowing coach at Jesus College, Cambridge in the early decades of the 20th century. Fairbairn was the first to train his crews to slide in their seats to maximise the length of their stroke, with great success. "The Fairbairns ", a rowing competition for novice rowers held on the River Cam late every autumn, is named after him. He rowed for Cambridge University in 1882, 1883, 1885 and 1886.

He founded the Head of the River Race in 1926 - a head race for men's eights held every year on the River Thames in London.

There is a memorial to him situated on the banks of the Thames between Putney and Hammersmith. This is exactly one mile from the start of the Boat Race and acts as an official timing point.

Bibliography

• Fairbairn of Jesus (autobiography), Published: 1931