Row Your Boat By Ali Noller Special to washingtonpost.com Thursday, May 8, 2003

	Take a cruise along the Potomac. (Skip Brown for The Washington Post)
Related Links Bike Along the River More Potomac Fun

Whether you're up for a gentle, scenic stroll along the river or a heart-pounding whitewater adventure, area outfitters have all the water-sport bases covered. You can canoe, kayak and sail in your back yard (or at least nearby, on the Potomac or the Shenandoah rivers) and the intensity and duration are up to you, as well as the amount you are willing to shell out.

First, you must evaluate what kind of experience you want. Is it a fun-filled weekend adventure or are you interested in becoming a competitive paddler? The surest way to tell is by taking a trip to Fletcher's Boat House for an introductory canoe session, sponsored by the Canoe Cruisers Club. Sessions are Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 on the C&O Canal.

While these mini lessons are not intended to take the place of a basic canoeing course, they will provide a modest introduction to the sport: safety, equipment, basic strokes. The class begins with a brief lecture on land and includes an hour of paddling on the canal. At $2 a session, it is a quick, inexpensive way to gauge your interest.

After you've made the first step, you have many options. Plenty of marinas in the District and surrounding areas rent canoes and kayaks on an hourly and daily basis. Fletcher's, Jack's Boats and Thompson Boat Center will rent canoes or kayaks in D.C.; while the Downriver Canoe Company and Long's Outfitters have you covered on the Shenandoah River. Prices start at $10/hour, but most places rent boats by the half or full day.

Renting a boat involves little or no instruction; so if you're a first-timer, it is wise to enroll in a class. Several top schools in the area can get you started with the right stroke. How much you want to spend plays the biggest role in this decision.

Amphibious Horizons' daily instruction starts at $85 for a day trip, while Blue Gnu Kayak has a three-hour trip ($60) for those with limited kayaking experience. The Calleva School of Paddling offers three-and-a-half-hour weekend lessons for $70. Lessons ranging in price and length are available from OuterQuest, Potomac Outdoors, River Riders and Valley Mill Kayak School.

Many of these outfitters also offer longer trips and excursions for experienced rowers. For those after more intensive training, find top-notch instruction for beginning and experienced paddlers at both Canoeing Adventures and Potomac Paddlesports.

A 25-year veteran of the river, Canoeing Adventures' David Brown caters trips and instruction to a group's individual needs. Most of his courses are designed for instruction in the morning and adventure in the afternoon. Scenic trips are also available.

Potomac Paddlesports' comprehensive training program for beginners starts with basic exploration of the Potomac. After completing the course, students have free use of the equipment for a week.

Doubling as a retail outlet, Potomac Paddlesports each October has a sale of the equipment used for teaching. River and Trail Outfitters rents boats as well as sells equipment for canoeing and kayaking.

For the most serious students of the water, sailing is another option for amphibious fun. It is also more of an investment and time commitment than canoeing or kayaking. Except for the Washington Sailing Marina and the Mariner Sailing School, you will have to travel to Annapolis to learn the basics. Several schools have "boat as the classroom" training on the Chesapeake Bay. Annapolis Sailing School and the Chesapeake Sailing School dock in Annapolis and offer lessons ranging from daily to weeklong live-aboard excursions.

Prices start at $325/person for a two-day basic lesson at the Annapolis Sailing School. At the Mariner Sailing School, a 10-hour beginner course starts at $235. After completion of the program, students have free use of the boats for one week.

An option for your low-key river experience: Take a leisurely stroll along the river on a scenic tour or a moonlit excursion. Potomac Paddlesports, Atlantic Kayak and Front Royal Canoe all offer nightly escapades on the river. River and Trail Outfitters rent kayaks overnight so you can be in control of your nocturnal adventure.

A few more basics for your adventure: Be sure to wear tennis shoes (many a flip-flop has been lost in the river), drink plenty of water and slather on the sun block to protect yourself from the extra rays you'll be picking up on the water. Also, plan to get wet. Having an extra set of dry clothes is a good idea.