Canoeing club at Northern Virginia????

Good morning everyone!

Is there any canoeing club at Northern Virginia? I am planning on buying a canoe in the next two months and will need some information regarding how to choose an entry-level canoe. Also, will probably need recommendations on good places to paddle it.

I will be using it for 'leisure paddling', family camping, and bass fishing.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Javier Woodbridge, VA

You might want to check out the Canoe Crusiers: http://www.ccadc.org/

They meet in Washington D.C. and are a very large and active club.

Ned

Appomatox River Company has many canoes and kayaks. Also Potomac Paddle Sports has a fairly good selection as well. You also might want to try Harper's Ferry Rafting Company.
http://www.paddleva.com/richmond/index.htm
http://www.potomacpaddlesports.com/
http://www.rivertrail.com/home.html

Hi. I haven't participated in a canoe club in no.va, but often paddle from Riverbend Park on the Potomac. I was out this past saturday and the river was high--15000 cf/sec and flowing fast.

regarding a entry level canoe--it depends on what you want to canoe? rivers, lakes,...

I have a penobscot 16 from old town, purchased at REI in fairfax...it is a good entry-mid level canoe as it can be used as a tandem or a solo (i use mine mostly as a solo-i placed a kneeling thwart aft of the carrying thwart). The canoe may seem tippy at first (to the beginner) as it has ok initial stability, but it has amazing secondary stability--you can heel it easily (tilt it on its side) and paddle away. It tracks well for flat water and is easily maneuverable for class 1-2 rapids, which is as far as I have gotten in it yet.

anyway...let me know what your doing...maybe we can meet up a conie the potomac.