West Side Rowing Club

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The West Side Rowing Club is currently the only rowing club in Buffalo, NY. It has a long history of providing anyone interested with access to a sport that is commonly known for its elitarian and privileged character.

[edit] Overview

Besides hosting rowers that row for the club itself, the club accommodates many Buffalo schools with rowing facilities. This makes the club one of the largest in the US, with its members competing on all levels of competition. Rowers from the West Side Rowing Club have represented the United States in the Olympics, Pan Am Games, and Elite and Junior Championships. The Black Rock Channel, where the rowers train, is covered in murals of the accomplishments of the rowers from the club.

The Club was founded in 1912 burned on July 30th 1975 and moved to its present site in 1981, after a temporary and unglamerous location at the SUC Great Lakes Lab 250 meters south of its current location.

The boathouse designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the University of Wisconsin has been built next to the West Side Rowing Club. Recent international accomplishments include Canisius High School alumni Jim Neil and Steven Coppola capturing world gold medals in 1999 and 2005 respectively.