Rowing at Potomac Boat Club
Day to day rowing at PBC is orchestrated by two very active volunteer-led committees, the Club Rowing Committee (CRC) and the Racing Committee (RC). Because of the popularity of the sport and PBC’s relatively small physical footprint, our resources are in high demand and managing usage of the facilities and equipment equitably is no small feat. We trust our members to understand the particular challenges of operating in our privileged but small space and thank them for their gracious cooperation and teamwork in making PBC the thriving rowing community that it is.
PBC Club Rowing (Club Rowing Committee (CRC))
Club Rowing generally entails all boat-related activities at PBC that are not conducted under the aegis of the Racing Committee. The participants in Club Rowing comprise a diverse spectrum of PBC members ranging from scullers and sweepers to paddlers; from aspiring to former Olympians; and from highly competitive masters to members simply out on the Potomac for recreation. With the exception of those strictly rowing private boats, these PBC members use the equipment procured, managed, allocated and maintained by the CRC. The CRC fleet is generally available on a first-come, first-served basis to all Senior club members. Boats can also be reserved in advance for specific events, such as regattas, by contacting the CRC chair. (Because we have a limited number of hulls in house, some coordinated sharing occurs for the morning practices of coached workouts.) For more detailed information, please visit the Club Rowing page on this site.
PBC Competitive Rowing (Racing Committee (RC))
Competitive Rowing at Potomac comprises numerous coach-led programs that aim to compete at the highest levels in all categories, including elite, open, juniors, club and masters, and at local, national, and international regattas. The RC manages, maintains, and makes available to racing programs the equipment and resources under its purview. The RC is responsible for the prioritization of race entries for the club in general, and also coordinates the equipment and resources that support the competitive pursuits of senior members who are unaffiliated with a specific program. Rowing clinics and workshops are offered at various times throughout the year to all members, and the committee also helps facilitate private lessons for those who desire more individualized attention when preparing for competition. For more detailed information, please visit the appropriate race program page on this site: Men's Sweep, Women's Sweep, Potomac Scullers, Junior/U23 Programs, and the High Performance Program.
PBC Waiver and Release of Claims
Prior to using the facility, PBC requires all guests and members to complete the annual Waiver and Release of Claims. Please review, download, sign and submit your waiver using this link here: PBC Waiver and Release of Claims
Rowing in Partnership with Potomac Boat Club
Washington-Liberty High School Crew
W-L Crew is one of the most storied high school teams in the country. Started in 1949 by legendary coach Charlie Butt, W-L Crew has been rowing out of Potomac Boat Club ever since. PBC is a proud partner in W-L’s long history of competitive success nationally and internationally. Please visit the W-L Crew Boosters site (external link) for more information on W-L Crew’s storied history and current program.
WeCanRow DC
WeCanRow DC was founded in 2005 by 3 local rowers from 3 different clubs, all of whom had breast cancer. The team concept was to provide breast cancer survivors with a form of exercise that addressed the physical and mental recovery from specific effects of cancer treatment. WeCanRow DC has returned to PBC each summer since then. Through rowing as a team, women in recovery and beyond have found physical and emotional support and a connection with others “in the same boat.” For more detailed information, please visit the WeCanRow page on this site.