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.
Photo by Liz Pennisi
This was the view from the dock at 10 AM on Thursday, May 15, when, according to NOAA, the gauge at Little Falls was above 11 feet. Just 14 hours earlier, WCC leaders had sent an alert calling for help Thursday morning to ensure boats and gear were moved out of harm's way.
When WCC Commodore Tim Johnson arrived, the men's outrigger team had already pulled the ramps onto the concrete pad and secured the outriggers parallel to the water flow. Plastic kayaks, likely to float when the river peaked, were strung together so they wouldn't drift downstream.
WCC volunteers, gathered paddles, booties, and other assorted gear from the floor and placed them on tables, then moved boats from the lowest racks up onto higher racks inside.
The river deposited a layer of mud inside the boathouse, making Saturday morning another cleanup day.
Thanks to all the WCC volunteers who helped before and after the flood!
Thanks to the organizers, volunteers, and attendees who made the 2024 Sunset Dinner fundraiser a huge success!
Thanks to Dalton Pope of Cinemagine Studios and Owen Palmiotti for their work on this sneak preview. The full video will premier here in the coming days.
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.
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.
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.