What's Happening in Buffalo, NY…

A new rowing club has been recreated, known as the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association (BSRA) and operating from an Ohio Street location beside the Buffalo River.

The new club is part of the rebirth taking place along Ohio Street as well as being an indication that an interest in rowing is once again rising in the Buffalo area and the western part of New York State.

In 1912, there were 14 rowing clubs in Buffalo, New York, where mill workers and other factory employees liked to relax after a hard day. The West Side Rowing Club, which was established in 1912, is still in business, but is only one of two surviving clubs – until now.

BSRA president Mark B. Kostrzewski says that the organization hopes to make rowing accessible to suburban and city children, particularly those who are disadvantaged. He stated that the goal is to have 2,500 rowers in the region within the next 10 years. There are fewer than 500 rowers active in the area.

Currently, there are approximately 215 younger rowers in the association, coming from Canisius High School, Bishop Timon-St. Jude and Buffalo Seminary, and Maritime Charter School. In addition, there are 35 rowers classified as Masters. Kostrzewski notes that another dozen schools hope to develop rowing programs, and that he would like to have additional rowing sites throughout the region.

The association will likely need to reach potential rowers and explain both its plans and the current operation. A brochure that interested parties could pick up would work well, and Kostrzewski could work with brochure printers to develop the material.