West Side Rowing Club

The West Side Rowing Club is a non-profit organization run by volunteers whose purpose is the advancement of the physical, mental, and moral well being of the youth of the City of Buffalo, New York and surrounding communities by education, training, instruction, and participation in the art of rowing and other athletic pursuits. Established in 1912, construction of the first clubhouse was spearheaded by Michael J Byrne on a site on the Black Rock Channel. The first boats the club owned came from Columbia University and the Union Boat Club in New York City. In the mid-1920s the club had to vacate its original site due to expansion of the sewer disposal plant. The City of Buffalo authorized the building of the new boathouse south of Ferry Street. West Side moved in and stayed for 50 years until the building burned in 1975. Immediately after the fire, efforts were launched to acquire land for a new facility. The current site was identified, but it was subject to a permit from the Federal government. The next four years was spent dealing multiple local, state, and federal agencies in order to get title to the land on which the club now sits. Much of the work in building the new facility was done by the members because of a shortage of funding. Although started as a men’s club, WSRC has a long tradition of youth rowing. In 1921, West Side started public high school rowing and was the first club in the country to sponsor public schools. Thousands and thousands of young people have learned to row at West Side. Women’s rowing started in 1978, and, as of now, the female rowers outnumber males. Over the years, West Side Rowers have represented the United States at the Olympics, Pan American Games, the World Youth Championships and the European Championships. West Side has always been run by volunteer officers and directors who have steered the Club through both good and difficult times. Over 100 years later, WSRC is still committed to the youth of Western New York.