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Founded in 1869, Potomac Boat Club is the oldest rowing club in the Washington, D.C. area and one of the best known in the country. It is home to some 300 senior members, ranging from recreational rowers to Olympic athletes. PBC hosts several successful competitive programs for scullers and sweep rowers, and has served as the home of Arlington’s Washington-Liberty High School crew, one of the first public schools to have a rowing program, dating back 65 years.

Potomac Boat Club Organization


Potomac Boat Club is home to approximately 300 Senior Members, as well as a large contingent of rowers participating in the Club’s competitive programs. Oversight of the Club is provided by a Board of Governors, with specific responsibility for various aspects of the boathouse and club operations delegated to a variety of committees. Details of the different committees and groups can be accessed from this page.

Organizations within Potomac Boat Club include:
  • PBC Board – Includes Club officers and general board members.
  • House – Looks after the welfare of the boathouse and grounds.
  • Membership – Maintains Member Handbook, manages the application process and helps members with any membership questions.
  • Racing – Is responsible for racing programs and equipment. 
  • Club Rowing – Is responsible for club rowing and equipment. 
  • Diversity and Inclusion Council - Conduit for diversity related initiatives at Potomac. 
  • Regatta – Runs the Charlie Butt Scullers’ Head of the Potomac and other events.
  • Social – Promotes community building through social events and other activities.
  • Safety and Security – Potomac Boat Club is a member of the Potomac River Safety Committee.


Other Affiliations


The Club has a long-standing relationship with Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington, Virginia, whose crew members train out of the Potomac boathouse. The alumni, friends, and boosters also have a Website for W-L Crew.

Half a mile downstream from PBC is Thompson Boat Center, the only other D.C.-sited rowing facility on the Potomac River. Thompson’s is home to a large number of high school and university crews, and also runs its own sweep and sculling programs.

Next door to the Potomac boathouse is the similar-vintage Washington Canoe Club, the area’s largest group of canoeists and kayakers. PBC maintains a friendly relationship with WCC, rooted in common interests in protecting recreational use of local waterways, including the Potomac River and C&O Canal.

Tax Status


In 2006, PBC applied for and was granted tax-exempt status by the IRS as a qualified social club under Section 501(c)(7) of the tax code. Pursuant to the requirements associated with this tax-exempt status, copies of the following IRS forms are publicly available for viewing through the links that follow.
  • IRS Form 1024, the PBC Application for Tax Exempt Status
  • Form 1024, Part II, Number 7, a Description of PBC membership classes
  • IRS Form 990, the PBC Organizational Tax Exempt Return for Tax Year 2012
  • IRS Form 990, the PBC Organizational Tax Exempt Return for Tax Year 2011
  • IRS Form 990, the PBC Organizational Tax Exempt Return for Tax Year 2010
  • IRS Form 990, the PBC Organizational Tax Exempt Return for Tax Year 2009
  • IRS Form 990, the PBC Organizational Tax Exempt Return for Tax Year 2008
  • IRS Form 990, the PBC Organizational Tax Exempt Return for Tax Year 2007
  • IRS Form 990, the PBC Organizational Tax Exempt Return for Tax Year 2006