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Thompson Boat Center in Georgetown rents kayaks and canoes to reach Roosevelt Island and tour the waterfront. The Washington Sailing Marina rents sailboats for excursions on the Potomac. Call about certification requirements.

Rock Creek Park has been named one of the top 10 sites in the nation for in-line skating, but most bike trails allow skaters as well. The Ski Chalet rents skates and protective gear.

Runners are everywhere in Washington. The Mall is popular, as are the walkways around the Tidal Basin, Georgetown Water-front, the C&O Canal, and Rock Creek Park.

Both Thompson Boat Center and the Washington Sailing Marina rent bicycles. The C&O Canal towpath is easy to reach and very scenic. Another favorite route is the Mount Vernon Trail along the George Washington Parkway to Mount Vernon. Bike the Sites offers tours and rentals.

There are over 100 golf courses in the vicinity. The famed Congressional Country Club private course in Bethesda is one of the most historic in the world. The East Potomac Park course is public, as is the Rock Creek Park Golf Course. Langston Golf Course was among the first African-American courses in the US.

The 4-mile (7-km) Western Ridge Trail and the 5-mile (8-km) Valley Trail, both in Rock Creek Park, are scenic and gentle. The 11.5-mile (18.5-km) Capital Crescent Trail follows the old B&O Railroad route through Georgetown north to Bethesda. Trail information is available at www.washdc.org/trail.html.

Volleyball, dodge ball, rugby, softball, team Frisbee, and even polo are played on various fields at the western end of the Mall.

The East Potomac Park Tennis Center is operated by the National Park Service. Indoor and outdoor courts are available.

The Rock Creek Park Horse Center provides scheduled trail rides and riding lessons for all levels. No experience is necessary for the guided rides, and the center provides the required helmet and other necessary equipment.

The city of Rockville has a climbing gym in its Civic Center Park.