Rowing has been a life-long passion of Mr Moynahan's ever since he joined the Leichhardt Rowing Club as a competition racer in 1959.

Introduced to the sport through school friends, Mr Moynahan joked he stuck with rowing because it's one of the few sports where you get to sit down.

"I wasn't very good at soccer or rugby league so rowing suited me," Mr Moynahan said.

"I've always liked rowing because it has a friendly environment and it's a fun sport to be a part of."

In 1968, Mr Moynahan retired from competition racing and switched to a backroom administrative role.

He's continued to work as a volunteer for the club and served as the club's captain, vice-president and president.

Over the past 10 years Mr Moynahan's switched to a coaching role where he's managed the club's "tadpoles" — under-14s boys — and more recently the men's over-60s age group.

"Coaching is very demanding but I enjoy doing it," Mr Moynahan said.

"I'm out on Sydney Harbour at 5am with the over-60s group and like giving them stroke tips and help with the boat."

Mr Moynahan said it was hard to single out any one highlight in his 50 years of service but he fondly remembers his time as an assistant commentator at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

"I helped the main overseas commentators with names, statistics and timing on when to switch to the tower for the finish," he said.