Overview
Washington Canoe Club, established in 1904, is a volunteer-run paddling club on the Potomac River in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., in a shingle-style boathouse from 1905 that predates Key Bridge. It has played a central role in Olympic flatwater canoe and kayak in the United States: club paddlers made up the whole US team that introduced canoe racing as a demonstration event at the 1924 Paris Olympics, winning three of the six races, and members have since won Olympic medals and many national titles. The boathouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a DC Landmark, reopened after a full rehabilitation in September 2026, and the club is a Center of Excellence of the US canoe and kayak team.
- Founded
- 1904
- Federation
- American Canoe Association
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreThe app finds the rescue centre for where you are, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Racing
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingHistory and achievements
- 1904The club is established with a limit of 100 members; a newspaper subscription contest wins it USD 1,000 for the building fund
- 1905Members build the shingle-style boathouse near today's north end of Key Bridge, reputedly from salvaged timbers
- 1924Club paddlers form the entire US team at the Paris Olympics demonstration canoe events and win three of six races
- 1930sThe boathouse, red until then, is painted green
- 1948–1988Club members win Olympic medals in 1948, 1952, 1964 and 1988
- 2026The rehabilitated boathouse reopens on 26 September after a campaign raising over USD 1 million
Location
- Position
- 38°54.27′ N 77°4.33′ W
38.90444, -77.07222 - Address
- 3700 Water Street Northwest
Frequently asked
When was Washington Canoe Club founded?
In 1904.
Where is Washington Canoe Club?
3700 Water Street Northwest.