History
With the purpose of teaching the sport of Rowing to the youth of Western New York, the West Side Rowing Club was formed in 1912. In 1921, West Side sponsored public High School Rowing in Buffalo, N.Y.. That same year, The West Side Rowing Club hosted the U.S. National Rowing Championship and won its first U.S. title. Since that time, the men and women wearing the maroon and gray of West Side have won many U.S. and Canadian National Championships. From the 1936 Olympics to present, members from the West Side Rowing Club have represented the United States in the Olympics, Pan Am Games, and Elite and Junior Championships.
In 1975 the West Side Rowing Club burned to the ground losing all but 7 shells. Relocation, rebuilding and recommitting the goals and the spirit of West Side has brought the Club back. Indoor rowing tanks, an ergometer training room, and over 60 racing shells comprise the Club today.
Always looking to further the sport of Rowing, West Side members have helped to launch several Rowing Clubs across the United States. The lessons learned at West Side are taught from coast to coast as our alumni are coaching in High School, Club, and Collegiate and National teams.
The Club sponsors many Rowing programs-- youth and adult learn to row, men's and women's masters, High School, adult recreational, and a highly competitive men's and women's championship program, taking the best rowers and competing on a national level. Our crews compete in the U.S. and Canada in Junior, Intermediate and Senior classes.
We take pride in our history and in our past victories. Our alumni have learned a life long sport and have competed at their highest level. Life's lessons are learned in the shell.
West Side's First Half Century, Part I
The West Side Rowing Club 1975-1980, Part I
