History
Junior rowing in Eugene began in 1986 when South Eugene High School student Elijah Marentette, along with Carl and Fran Richart, and Charles Spencer (a former Harvard rower), and school officials formed a rowing team for teenagers. Initially boats were leased from the University of Oregon. In the 1985 Fall season the team entered its first race using borrowed equipment from the UO. By 1988 the SEHS Yearbook included rowing as an official club sport. Roger Bailey was the first coach for South Eugene Rowing Club. His support and devotion to the team accounted for much of its early success. He wanted a youth rowing club for all high school students in Eugene. Over the years, the organization continued to grow and prosper.
In 1995 the team was able to purchase their first boat. In 2000, SERC joined with Oregon Association of Rowers (OAR), a masters program, and became OAR Junior Crew. The OAR Junior Crew team expanded and started accepting athletes from area high schools. OAR Jr. Crew has included high school students from South Eugene High, Churchill, Sheldon, Oak Hill, Marist, Pleasant Hill and a number of home schooled athletes. The team also has had members who are students at Roosevelt and Spencer Butte middle schools.
Due to changes in Eugene 4J District policy that affected the OAR JR Crew program, beginning Fall season 2012, OAR Jr Crew became its own non-profit organization and changed its name to South Eugene Rowing Club.
In 2023, the club changed its name to Eugene Rowing Club to better represent the fact that the club serves youth from all area schools. The club is open to all teens within the greater Eugene/Springfield area.