Burrow (69), a retired Dunedin plumber, joined the Otago Rowing Association in 1972, was president in 1982 and chairman from 1982 to 1990.
He became president again in 2008 and remains in that role.
"There was a lack of new people coming into administration," Burrow said yesterday.
"It was a job I could do and I felt I should go back and encourage the younger ones."
Burrow retired from plumbing five years ago and now has more time to devote to the sport he loves.
His work has been recognised at national level and he was named the Volunteer of the Year at Rowing New Zealand's annual meeting at Invercargill last week.
"Neil just gets stuck in and gets the job done. He is often overlooked because he is always there," Otago Rowing Association chairman Karl Morgan said.
"Neil has total commitment and a real passion and wants to see others participate."
It was a fitting reward for Burrow who has had a 53-year involvement in the sport.
"I was very proud to get the award," Burrow said.
"But it was a surprise. I thought it would go to someone up north.
"I enjoy meeting the young people and try to encourage them to stay in the sport and not give up after secondary school," he said.
His wife, Jeanette, is also keen on rowing and travels to Twizel with Burrow for regattas.
"I couldn't spend as much time on rowing if Jeanette was not involved," he said.
When he travelled to England for the world championships at Eton two years ago Burrow realised the rowing fraternity is a worldwide family.
A girl travelling on the bus used to row for the Avon club in Christchurch and recognised him.
"I was wearing my New Zealand blazer and was given free entry to the championships," Burrow said.
Burrow's involvement with rowing started in 1957 when he joined the North End club.
His biggest regret was when New Zealand rowing was forced out of the 1980 Olympic Games at Moscow.
"We took a decision at national level to go," Burrow recalled.
" But there were forces stopping us. We couldn't get a bridging loan from the bank and Air New Zealand cancelled our reservations."
Burrow, a top oarsman in his youth, won a New Zealand title in 1959.
He has stayed with the sport as an official and administrator.
His work has been recognised locally by being elected a life member of the North End Club, the Otago Rowing Association and South Island Rowing.
Burrow was a founding member of the South Island Rowing Association formed when North Island interests wanted to hold all national regattas on Lake Karapiro.
He is not just a committee man. He also rolls up his sleeves, removes wilding pines, cleans the grounds and is the voice over the speaker as boat park marshall for regattas at Lake Ruataniwha.
He spent three weeks at Christmas working at the lake grounds.
