Washington Canoe Club

Important Update! New Date - Now May 6th!

By May 6th, the traffic pattern on WCC's side of the aqueduct arch will be changing again. DC Water will be re-routing the Capital Crescent Trail towards the hillside (the mirror image of current arrangement). The car gate will also be shifting to the right. Additionally, WCC parking by the front gate will also be reduced by several spaces. Please take caution while using the new approach - particularly as cyclists and pedestrians will also be seeing it for the first time. (no surprise, DC Water's dates are pretty fluid...we'll let you know if this continues to slip beyond next Wednesday)

According to DC Water, this routing will remain for at least the next year.

Heads-up: water will be off at WCC tomorrow, Thursday April 16, between 8 and 4 while our waterline is moved by DC Water. Plan accordingly!

Ever wanted to try outrigger canoe paddling? Here's your chance!

The Washington Canoe Club is launching the 2026 WCC Outrigger Race Development Team this spring, and we're looking for new paddlers to join us on the water!

No experience needed. This program is open to anyone new to outrigger, new to racing, or completely new to paddling. Coach Nate Day will guide you through stroke fundamentals in timing, technique, and power, and you'll get to experience the unique thrill of moving together as a 6-person crew.

The team will train every Wednesday evening, 6–8:30 pm, April 7 – June 17, with the goal of entering at least one 6-person crew in the NCA Monumental Outrigger Canoe Race in Washington, DC on June 21.

After the Monumental race, development paddlers will have the opportunity to join the WCC's outrigger racing program.

Wednesdays, 6–8:30 pm | April 7 – June 17
Race day: NCA Monumental, Washington DC — June 21
Fee: $250 for non-WCC members
Questions? Reach out to Nate at [email protected]

Spots are limited. Sign up takes just 3 minutes!

Sign up here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWFlimhaVD0HRMS2z8u_AD06aqMh3-mdBHPg814YuYikvVew/viewform?pli=1

Know someone who'd love this? Tag them or share this post. All are welcome!

As part of the work of the District’s Waterways Advisory Commission, we’ve been asked to share the following survey with our members and networks in hopes of gathering feedback on priorities related to access, use, development and stewardship of the Potomac and Anacostia.

Please take five minutes to complete this survey and make sure your views are heard! https://publicinput.com/r50323 -74898

Thanks!

District Waterways Advisory Plan - PublicInput The District Waterways Advisory Plan will set out a strategic vision for the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers the Washington Channel and adjacent property. The Plan will be developed by the District Waterways Advisory Commission with leadership from the Department of Energy and Environment s Office of D...

From Jim Ross -

There are moments in time that are cause for reflection. 20 years ago today WCC lost a member, Mitch Madruga, to the river. Mitch was training to defend his win in the previous year’s General Clinton 70 miler. He was way downstream of WCC and heading home when a big windstorm caught him in open water. Mitch was found the next morning on the shore near Fort Belvoir. Mitch was a retired Marine, a nurse at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, a son, a husband and a father to two small girls.

The club membership was devastated to lose such a great person. In our collective grief we searched for something positive to take away and remember Mitch by, and so was born the Mitch Madruga Clinton Relay. Beginning 20 years ago this Memorial Day, WCC honors Mitch by traveling en masse to central NY to race the General Clintan relay in his honor. Blaise Rhodes has done yeoman's work each year organizing our crews and keeping Mitch’s memory alive. So think of Mitch next time you paddle the river and plan to join us on Memorial Day 2026 as we race once again in his honor.

Love to his family today, from all his WCC family

UPDATE: The 12/27 work party has been cancelled thanks to all the great work by our volunteers on the 20th!

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Your Help Needed!

For the next three Saturday mornings (12/20, 12/27 and 1/3), we will need volunteers to help clean out the boathouse, move boats and gear and prepare for the beginning of the renovation project. If you have personal items stored in the building, this will be your last opportunity to take them home.

Extra bonus, if your kids need service hours, this will qualify!

Please use the following sign-up genius link so that we can keep track of participants and send any updates.

WCC Boathouse Clean Up Days All hands on deck! Please sign up to help us clear out the WCC boathouse as we prep for its rehabilitation! We need volunteers on 12/20, 12/27, or 12/3 (or come to all three clean up days!) - click below to sign up. Thank you!!

Please make sure that any personal items stored inside the boathouse are taken home in the coming days. We will be clearing out the lost and found (donating usable items to charity), and tossing out personal items left on the floor or elsewhere around the club.

Storing a paddle or iakos in the rafters? Please take them home or put them with your boat, if your boat is stored outside.
Thanks!

IMPORTANT NEWS

WCC is anticipating renovation work on the clubhouse beginning in December. Before work can begin, all boats stored inside and member personal gear will need to be removed from the building. We need members to remove boats and personal gear no later than the end of November. If your boat is stored inside and you anticipate paddling through the winter, there will be limited outdoor storage space available at WCC. Please begin to plan now.

Questions? Email [email protected]

A reminder that - this Sunday - WCC will once again be hosting the amazing Team River Runner biathlon. Between 7 and 2ish, please don't plan on parking inside the fence at WCC. TRR will provide parking validation for one of the garages on Water Street, and I'll update this post with the details when they provide them. With multiple heats and 100+ participants, the docks will be crowded...Plan to paddle Saturday or later Sunday afternoon if possible.

Learn more about the Biathlon here:

Team River Runner Biathlon Promo Team River Runner's DC Biathlon (kayak and run/handcycle) raises funds to help wounded veterans and servicecmembers find health and healing through paddlespo...

🚣‍♀️ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 🚣‍♂️

Hello Paddling Friends,
Montgomery Parks is looking for certified kayaking instructors to volunteer at their Disability Pride Outside event on Saturday, July 26th!

This special event features adaptive kayaking for people with disabilities and takes place on the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act - what a meaningful way to celebrate! 🎉

What you'll do:
• Help with kayaking fittings
• Assist with launching kayaks
• Paddle alongside participants

Sign up here if you'd like to participate: https://mcp.samaritan.com/custom/1491/opp_details/197073
Learn more about the event: https://montgomeryparks.org/about/parks/accessibility/inclusive-special-events-and-programs/disability-pride-outside/

Disability Pride Outside - Montgomery Parks Saturday, July 26 9:30am to 1:00pm Disability Pride Outside: Celebrating 35 Years of Civil Rights, Access, and Belonging Join Montgomery Parks for a family-friendly day of celebrating Disability Pride Month and the significance of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act! We’ll...