Potomac Paddlesports is a locally-owned, award-winning kayak school specializing in structured lessons and trips uniquely tailored for beginner adults.

Since 1999, Potomac Paddlesports has offered DC Metro area residents the opportunity to develop confidence, lasting friendships, and a sense of environmental stewardship - all through convenient, quality, and award-winning paddle sports and paddling safety instruction. We were the first and only kayak school to be fully sanctioned (and insured) by the American Canoe Association (ACA) and the first to have both ACA and British Canoe Union (BCU) institutional accreditations. Of all of our accolades, we are most proud of the American Canoe Association honoring us with an award for 'Making The World a Better Place to Paddle'. In 2022, our capable Program Manager, Eli Geisenberger and his company, All Out Adventures LLC, became our service provider. In 2023, Eli and his talented team of instructors at All Out Adventures LLC assumed Potomac Paddlesports' operations.

When you kayak with us, you get:

1. Quality Instruction We've designed all of our programs so that each lesson is a building block for the next, with a focus on developing core "fundamentals" through muscle memory drills, practice routines, and key safety habits. All lessons and trips are run by expert instructors and guides who are selected for their patience and passion for teaching beginners in appropriate conditions.
2. Convenient Scheduling You have up to two years from the date of your first lesson or trip to complete any package. This allows everyone to work around their own individual scheduling needs and learn at their own pace. It also allows for practice between lessons so that you get the most out of our programs.
3. Free Use of New Gear Kayaks and most other required gear are are provided at no additional cost. We usually replace our entire fleet every 12-24 months, so you get the benefit of using modern equipment that's in excellent working condition. You'll be better educated for your big purchase after just a few events with us!

We commend your decision to start kayaking and we look forward to having you as a student or guest in our programs!

Apparel and Gear For Students and Guests

From 2008-2019, Potomac Paddlesports operated 6,000 square feet of dedicated commercial retail space offering the best selection of paddling gear anywhere at our locations in Rockville and Potomac. Since then, we've closed these locations and shifted our focus back to our primary mission and passion - quality kayak instruction! Although our stores are closed, we still have over 30 years of experience selling kayaks and gear - and we know a lot about even really obscure stuff like small parts and old models, plus roof racks, drysuits, kayaks, paddles and much more. When you sign up for lessons, we'll help you source used gear at excellent prices, to help you make sure you always purchase the correct equipment, and the correct SIZE equipment, for safety and performance. Chat or message us if you are student with questions about apparel or gear. If you are looking at purchasing gear first, consider investing in our quality instructional programs first. For 1/3 the cost of a brand new kayak, you can use our equipment and become a very skilled paddler in 1-2 seasons, then buy even better gear! We look forward to paddling everyone soon - see you on the river!