South End Rowing Club
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Founded in 1873, the South End Rowing Club, located at 500 Jefferson Street near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, is the oldest athletic club in the western United States. The club is located on San Francisco bay. Open-water swimmers, handball players, rowers, and other sporting enthusiasts use the club. It is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.(for a $6.50 fee) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Every year, the club hosts the Alcatraz Invitational, a swim from Alcatraz Island to the club, as well as many handball tournaments and regattas.
The original club was located near present-day AT&T Park at the south end of San Francisco's harbor. The club building was moved by barge to Aquatic Park in the early 1900s, and to its present location in 1938. Portions of the original building remain a part of the club.
The South End Rowing Club maintains a fierce but friendly rivalry with its next-door neighbor, the Dolphin Club. The clubs hold an annual athletic competition in swimming, rowing, and running. As of 2006, the South End Rowing Club has won the competition 24 of the past 27 years.
