A Storied Legacy
West Side Rowing Club

Courtesy of West Side Rowing Club

Founded in 1912, the West Side Rowing Club (WSRC) is the only one of Buffalo’s original rowing clubs still in existence—and for 113 years has been teaching the people of Western New York the sport of rowing. It grew into a local athletic cornerstone through World Wars and the Great Depression under volunteer leadership. In 1921, it became the first club in the United States to sponsor public high school rowing, spawning a steady pipeline of young athletes from across Buffalo’s schools. Fast forward to today, WSRC has grown to over 800 annual members, being run and operated by a full-time staff.

Located at 1 Rotary Row on the west side of Buffalo, the Club primarily rows on the Black Rock Canal, Buffalo River, and Outer Harbor. The grounds include the Doc Schaab Boathouse with an indoor rowing tank system, weight and rowing machine room, and the Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired Fontana Boathouse, which was built in 2007 using Wright’s original plans. It now serves as the home to Canisius University Women’s Rowing team.

WSRC is a community-based sports non-profit dedicated to expanding the sport of rowing in Western New York at all levels. WSRC regularly competes in national and international regattas and offers multiple learn-to-row programs throughout the year for newcomers interested in exploring Buffalo’s waterfront. While maintaining its own competitive club team for high schools that lack one, the organization also supports additional high school and college teams—including Nichols School, City Honors High School, Mount Saint Mary’s Academy, Nardin Academy, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, The Gow School, Buffalo State College, Canisius University, the University at Buffalo, and D’Youville University—helping to increase access across the greater area.

Recently, WSRC has expanded its operations to include the Tonawanda Creek out of Amherst Veterans Canal Park. The organization has partnered with the University at Buffalo to manage the UB Boathouse located within the park, bringing back UB’s club rowing team as well as providing additional learn-to-row opportunities for the near future for the local community!

WSRC offers year-round programming—from high school and middle school teams to masters/adult rowing leagues, competitive racing teams, and even winter fitness programs.

“I encourage anyone looking for a new challenge to consider giving us a try! Not only is it a sport you can do for life, but it can also be a great way to explore the area from a different perspective. So many people have never had the chance of getting out on Buffalo’s Waterfront,” says Community Engagement Director Ian Suchan.

For fall programs, visit https://www.wsrc.org/youth-rowing-1. Learn more about everything WSRC has to offer!