In 1984, we were but a handful of good friends who shared a love of the outdoors and liked to row. We had one used boat stored in a dark corner of a cluttered room and a lot of spirit. UCSF helped fund us and so the name of the club became the UCSF Rowing Club.

Cliff Gronseth, an avid rower, gave rowing lessons and built up membership in the club, that peaked at 64 members. Cliff is now an MD and resides in Boulder, CO. After Cliff moved out of the SF area in 1993, Mary Allen, who learned to row in the club, assumed leadership. For the past 20 years, she has commandeered the rowing club with passion, commitment and integrity.

In 2006 UCSF asked us not to use their name and so we became the SF Rowing Club. During our early days, when we had only one boat and then two boats, members had to reserve a boat and oars for the time they wanted to use it. In March of 2010, with many generous donations, Lake Merced got a new state-of-the-art dock to replace the old rotting wood one. It’s wider, lower and stronger.

Today the club has over 35 members, state-of-the-art equipment for beginners and elite racers alike, and our own boat bay with boat racks and lockers. Reservations are no longer necessary. And yet, the Club has retained its friendly aura. 70% of the members are beginners who learned how to scull from our unique and proven teaching methods. Nobody else offers our personal and friendly instruction at such a low price.

The Club is open to the public and membership is not required to take lessons. For further information and/or to schedule a lesson call: (650) 922-1653

sign above door

new dock

sponsors for the new dock