By Sharael Feist
1998
The South End Rowing Club, the city’s oldest existing rowing club will celebrate its 125th anniversary on August 8. The club, founded in 1873 as a way for working-class San Franciscans
to participate in organized athletic activities, continues to carry on the traditions of swimming and rowing in the San Francisco Bay.
As part of its 125th anniversary party, SERC welcomes the public tojoin its festivities Saturday. The celebration will include books and films that feature the South End Rowing Club and show the history of swimming and other water sports in the Bay. There will also be music, refreshments and even a clown for the kids.
The event will take place at the SERC clubhouse at the Hyde Street Pier. Built in 1903, the clubhouse was lashed to a barge and floated to the foot of Van Ness Avenue after being evicted in 1908 from its prior location.
A walk through the historical clubhouse reveals a glimpse into the old days of San Francisco through faded photographs that adorn the walls, the club’s wooden boats that date back to 1915, trophies from the early 1920s, and nostalgic members that are happy to reminisce about the old days at SERC.
One of the treasures of SERC is the pleasure barge, South End. It was constructed in 1915 in honor of the Panama-Pacific Exposition and has been cruising the San Francisco Bay for over 83 years. SERC presently offers its coed members access to rowing, swimming, running, weightlifting, and handball.
The celebration will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at 500 Jefferson Street. For more information, call 776-7372.