Washington, DC Sailing Club Offers Opportunities for All Skill Levels
Located at the Washington Sailing Marina in Alexandria, VA, Sailing Club of Washington, or SCOW as it’s known by members, may be one of Washington, DC’s best-kept secrets for outdoor enthusiasts. Catering to sailors of all experience levels, SCOW provides sailing instruction, access to boats, and a network of skippers and crew for an unbeatable price. Membership costs only $50 per year for individuals, $80 for families.
SCOW’s fleet of Catalina 25 cruisers and Flying Scots are available for use on demand by members who qualify for skipper privileges. While skipper status does require additional fees and training, it’s still an incredible deal for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of boat ownership without taking on the full expense.
Originally from Virginia Beach, Commodore Joe Leoncio grew up on the water, surfing, swimming, and sailing Hobie Cats. He finds that continuing to do what he loved as a kid keeps him young as an adult, and he relishes having the ability get away from it all without leaving the city. “The convenience factor is amazing. I’ll take a boat out after work and be home by 10 or 11 p.m. DC is a busy metropolitan area, but when I’m out on the river, the population shrinks to one.”
SCOW hosts a Thursday night social sail and a Wednesday night race series on the Potomac every week from spring through fall. Members also frequently schedule mid-week raftups, and they have a tradition of watching the Fourth of July fireworks from the water. “They’re the best seats in town,” exclaims Leoncio.
SCOW member Artem Kuznetsov caught the sailing bug on vacation in the Bahamas. Back in DC he was drawn by SCOW’s proximity and affordability. He attended his first Thursday night social sail, and though the weather didn’t cooperate, he still had a great time.
“Everyone was so kind, and I was impressed by the diversity of the group,” Kuznetsov recalls.
Longtime member Thom Unger joined SCOW back in 1990 for reasons similar to Kuznetsov’s: the Potomac River location and the unbeatable price. Unger has since gone on to race big boats in Annapolis, as well as crewing on the tall ship Kalmar Nyckel.
Kuznetsov recently passed the skipper exam and can’t say enough about how helpful other members were in building his confidence and helping develop his skills. “New sailors need to learn from others, and SCOW provides an instant community of teachers.”
Kuznetsov also loved how SCOW rotated through instructors during his on-the-water training. “I gained exposure to different approaches, instead of just learning from one person,” he explains.
For those interested in working up to chartering boats on the Bay or beyond, the club is a great platform for building your leadership, navigation, and problem-solving skills as a sailor. It’s a great venue for meeting like-minded folks, and it’s not uncommon for SCOW members to go in on a bareboat charter in the Caribbean.
Currently, Unger lives aboard his Allied Ludders 33 in Galesville, MD, but he still commutes to Alexandria for Thursday evening social sails with SCOW. At this point the big draws for him are the friendships he’s built over the years.
Leoncio is equally passionate about the community aspect of SCOW. “We build relationships along the old saying ‘Go fast, go alone. Go far, go together.’ We all feel like we’re part of something bigger, and the more I give to the organization, the more I get back.”
This dedication to working together is also what keeps the costs down. All jobs related to running the club are staffed by volunteers, from planning raftups and running race committee to replacing damaged rigging. Club skippers are required to put in maintenance hours on the fleet and share their knowledge with newer members. Additionally, the club holds two volunteer work days each year and encourages all members to attend, regardless of skill level.
As a volunteer, Unger has done fiberglass work and pretty much every other common boat repair. He also teaches the capsize course. “Personally, I enjoy repaying the debt through service,” he says without hesitation.
Kuznetsov also enjoys working on the fleet. “Maintaining the boats is preparing me for boat ownership,” he says with an eye to the future.
Whether you are new to sailing or an old salt looking for a weeknight fix, SCOW welcomes you. For more information about membership, including a calendar of upcoming events, visit
scow.org.
By Leslie Toussaint
