WEST SIDE

invitational

The West Side Invitational Regatta is an annual 1,500 meter race held at West Side on the Black Rock Canal. The Invitational will be held on Sunday, July 6th, 2025.

On July 21, 1913, the West Side Rowing Club held its first “Water Carnival & Regatta” on the Black Rock Canal. Today, we continue this tradition by hosting an invitational race once a year.

The West Side Invite usually hosts junior, senior, and masters teams from the northeastern United States, as well as parts of Canada.

CATEGORIES

and events

Junior Teams- U17 and U19 boats accepted.

Senior Teams- U23 boats are accepted.

Open- Open boats are accepted.

Masters- Masters boats are accepted.

Para- Para boats are accepted.

volunteer

opportunities

The regatta is a great volunteer opportunity as many people are needed to ensure the safety of participants. West Side is willing and able to sign any documents to attest to the completion of community service hours for a school or other organization.

There are many different types of roles that need to be filled at the West Side Invite. Click below to join our volunteer email list!

sponsorship

opportunities

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring the West Side Invite, please email Kirk Lang for opportunities. 

We offer many different sponsorship tiers and work with any budget to accommodate potential sponsors.

RACE DAY INFORMATION:

  • All regularly scheduled practices will be canceled on the day of the Regatta. No programs will take place.

  • The WSRC parking lot will be CLOSED on race day to ALL CARS. Only boat trailers will be allowed in.

  • No athlete or spectator drop off in front of WSRC. Please drop off athletes and/or spectators at the entrance to our driveway on Porter Ave. This is a quick and safe walk to the regatta grounds.

  • Food and regatta merchandise are available.

Medals are assigned to 1st place crews ONLY.

Packet pick-up occurs before the coaches and coxswains meeting the morning of the race.

Local Hotels

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Buffalo Downtown

Address: 601 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203

Phone: (716) 854-5500

 

Best Western Inn

Inn on the Avenue

Address: 510 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201

Phone: (716) 886-8333

 

Buffalo Grand Hotel

Address: 120 Church St, Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone: (716) 845-5100