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 Competition. Community. History.

Established in 1904, the Washington Canoe Club is a community of volunteers passionately dedicated to preserving, promoting and engaging in paddlesports on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. WCC’s boathouse, over a century old, is an iconic historic landmark serving as a base for its members to train for competition, paddle for recreation, and host community, educational and charitable groups.

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Next Saturday!

The Frank Havens Memorial 10k

Saturday, November 4


Thanks to Bonnie and Dan Havens for the sneak preview of the 2023 award.

Race Sign-up at 9:30 am
Mandatory Racers Meeting at 10:15 am
Mass start at 11:00 am
$25. per person

The Washington Canoe Club is once again proud to host the Frank Havens Memorial 10K race, honoring the WCC’s Gold & Silver Medalist Frank Havens. The 10K racecourse on the Potomac is in honor of Frank’s Gold Medal World Record win in the C-1 10,000m distance at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.

There are many classes to choose from, including Short Boat (up to, but not longer than, 16’ long) and Long Boat (16.5’ and up). All canoes must be fat, slow, non-racing, open canoes made from non-racing materials (i.e., no Kevlar, carbon boats) and must be paddled with 2 people each using a single blade paddle. Dressing in Halloween finery is strongly encouraged.

No canoe? No problem! Just show up on Saturday morning and check in to be assigned a canoe. There are usually folks looking to race in search of partners. This is one of the best days at the club, you won't want to miss it.

$25 per person will get you a great race, a delicious post-race lunch, and, if you’re fast enough, the best award in all of sport! This year's award paddle design is a nod to the roots and legacy of the Havens paddling at WCC. The story will be told at the awards ceremony. 

WCC merch will be available for purchase and there will be a raffle. $15 for lunch for non-racers.

Post-race, stay and enjoy a nice lunch, awards ceremony, and a chance to linger and enjoy the company of WCC members and friends from near and far.

Not able to race this year? WE WILL NEED VOLUNTEERS. ISO folks to help as race officials, food prep and serving, and as always… clean-up. Email Jim Ross to volunteer.

The WCC Social Committee invites you to

WCC First Friday Mixers!

What better way to unwind than with a happy hour at the boathouse? WCC is hosting “meet and greet” happy hours (even though all hours at WCC are happy) from 5 to 8 pm on the first Friday of each month. Bring your own drinks and food and join new and longtime members for a fun, relaxing evening – stunning sunsets included.
See you there!
WCC Hosted zoom Presentation

Birds and Wildlife Along the Potomac

Below is the video recording from DC Department of Energy & Environment wildlife biologist Dan Rauch's, engaging presentation from  Feb. 7 on the abundant birds, fish, and wildlife that we are likely to encounter while paddling the Potomac. Thanks to "Dan the Bird Man" and WCC member Tom Reiter for setting up this event.

Take the WCC 2023 Paddle Fit challenge

The goal is to paddle 1,000 miles or more in 2023!
While the challenge was created with non-racing members in mind, it is open to any member who wants to take it on and is willing to log their mileage throughout the year.
To register: Sign up in the book outside the weight room and track your mileage on the pages provided. Any paddle-powered craft of choice is fine (SUP, OC, canoe, kayak, etc. or a combination). Mileage paddled in team boats or off-site can be included.
If you have further questions, please email: PaddleFitWCC@gmail.com

WCC's 2022 Sunset Dinner fundraiser

Thank You to everyone who participated, donated and volunteered!

This year's dinner brought the authentic flavors, music, and performance of the Middle East to the docks of the Washington Canoe Club. Thanks to our event sponsors!

The WCC History Book is still available!

Images of America: Washington Canoe Club
By Chris Brown

The book is available for purchase (all proceeds from the sale will go to the boathouse restoration fund). Or donate $250 or more to the restoration fund and receive a complimentary signed copy.

Head over to our history page and watch Chris Brown's Virtual Book Talk that was given via Zoom on December 3, 2020.

WCC SIGNS 60-YEAR LEASE WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE!

December 12, 2019, is now a milestone day in the history of our 115-year-old club. Never before has the WCC had a tenure agreement for more than 5 years. Today our home is secure until 2080!

NEW WCC branded items are now available in our seasonal Squad Locker stores!


Show off your club spirit and look good doing it!
In an effort to increase the variety of WCC branded "merch" for members of all ages (including infants and toddlers), the WCC shopkeepers have added new hats, shirts, leggings, bags, bibs, and more into two seasonal Squad Locker stores. Items will be periodically updated and changed, so keep checking back!

Visit the Fall/Winter Store.
Visit the Spring/Summer Store.