Home - Canoe Cruisers Association

Welcome to CCA!
From tranquil flatwater to raging whitewater, we paddle it all!

The Canoe Cruisers Association of Greater Washington, DC, founded in 1956, is a kayak and canoe club whose main purpose is to unite persons interested in paddling the Potomac River Basin and adjacent watersheds. We coordinate paddling trips, both locally and across the region, and host the annual CCA downriver race. We teach classes, promote river safety, and participate in river access and watershed conservation efforts.  Please join us—we look forward to paddling with you!

Canoe Cruiser Newsletter (current & past issues)  CCA Membership Flyer Liability Waiver
Weather Forecast Potomac Forecast  USGS Little Falls
AW River Database  National River Level Forecast  C&O Canal Conditions
FAQ and How to Do Stuff On CCA's Website

Get Email Notifications About Paddling Trips

Email trips@canoecruisers.org requesting email notifications for any of the following:
Sunday: (mornings):Beginners.
Wednesday: (evenings) Advanced Beginners.
Thursday: (mornings) Intermediate to Advanced.
Pickup and Weekend: (time varies) Beginner to Advanced.
Community/Family (time varies): Kid friendly.

Holiday Party & Book/Gear Swap Meet, Friday, December 4, 2026!

As we have done in previous years, we're collecting paddling books for giveaway Friday, December 4, 2026. If you have books to donate, please drop them off by Saturday, November 14th, 2026 at any of the five drop-off locations below:

Rockville - Ginny DeSeau - 1105 Highwood Rd - 20851
Potomac - Barb Brown - 19801 Admirals Way, Potomac, MD 20854
Upper NW DC - David Cottingham - 2914 Kanawha St - 20015
McLean - Alf Cooley - 1902 Poole Lane - 22101 - on the back porch
Ashburn – Hildy Ferraiolo- 43390 La Belle Place, Ashburn, VA 20147 (text first 703-431-6588)

After we receive the books, we'll send all CCA members a list of the donated titles and invite them to bid by email. We’ll bring the books to the Holiday Party & Book Swap and place them on the tables in the rear of the Community Center. As previously, we'll ask the happy recipients to donate what they like to CCA. Please email or text me with any questions at: ( hferraiolo@gmail.com, (703)431-6588).

Blockhouse Point Access Project for Fans of the Violette's Lock-GW Canal-C&O Canal Run
(See slide show above) CCA volunteers, Calleva River School and the National Park Service (NPS) completed the Blockhouse Point Project October 24, 2026. The BHP is very impactful to the Potomac River boating community by stabilizing the portage between the Potomac and the C&O canal at Mile Post 21. Phase One comprised: 1. Filling in the upper eroded slope, and 2. Installing stone steps on the slope just below the towpath. Phase One was completed during Columbus Day week, 2026. Phase Two comprised: 1. lowering and setting the steps leading out of the Potomac, and 2. Stabilizing the slope leading from the C&O towpath and canal. All work completed October 24, 2026. Five more photographs were added to the slide show demonstrating their work.