Norfolk Yacht And Country Club

Sailing Programme

The club offers year-round yachting and sailing programs, including a longstanding Junior Sailing summer camp for ages approximately 5 to 18. The camp features fleets of Optimist, Flying Junior, Flying Scot, and club 420s, along with a junior race team and coaching. Adult sailing instruction is available, with US Sailing Basic Keelboat and US Powerboating certification offered. Members can also utilize club-owned Flying Scots, and paddleboard and kayak rentals are available for organized waterfront excursions. More information can be found on the sailing programme page.

Racing Events

The club hosts a regular racing calendar, including seasonal Spring and Fall keelboat series, the Labor Day Regatta, Wolcott Memorial Regatta, Dink Vail Regatta, NYCC Junior Annual Regatta, and Glowstick Regatta. Additional team-race and championship events are also organized, with the club hosting US Sailing/Hinman and other regional and national events. A full event calendar is available on the regattas page.

Social Activities

The club features an extensive member social calendar that includes themed parties, live music, trivia and card nights, and family holiday events such as Easter egg hunts, Memorial Day celebrations, July 4th festivities, Brunch with Santa, and New Year’s Eve parties. Family Fun Nights, wine tastings, dinners, swim and club social events, and various member interest groups like book clubs and wine clubs are also part of the social offerings. More details can be found on the social activities page.

Facilities Overview

The club features a waterfront clubhouse located on the Lafayette River, which includes a marina with three floating concrete piers and one fixed pier, accommodating approximately 200 slips, including wet and lift slips, as well as a pump-out and fuel dock. The main clubhouse has multiple dining rooms and event spaces, a fitness center exceeding 20,000 square feet, an indoor 25-yard pool, and a seasonal outdoor pool complex with Olympic-length lanes and a dive pool. Additionally, there is a racquet sports complex with nine lighted outdoor clay courts, covered winter courts, pickleball, and platform tennis, along with six guest rooms, a dock house, and a full-time harbormaster. More information can be found on the facilities overview page.

Dining Services

The club offers multiple dining venues, including The Deck for family casual dining, the 36° North adult bar and grill, and the seasonal Galley poolside café. Monthly specials and buffets, such as seafood and brunch, are available, along with a wine shop and wine lockers. The club has a corkage policy and a Windward Wine Club that hosts regular tastings and wine dinners. More details can be found on the dining services page.

Event Hosting

Club facilities are available for private and corporate events, including weddings. The venue options include a ballroom, waterfront ceremony sites, meeting and banquet rooms, and catering services. Special events are organized throughout the year by club staff. More information is available on the event hosting page.

Reciprocal Privileges

Reciprocal visitors from other clubs are welcome, provided they present a membership card or reciprocal letter. While reciprocal guests have access to yachting and clubhouse facilities, certain uses (such as racquet sports, fitness, and pool) are limited to 14 days annually, and some summer holiday pool events are restricted to members only. Visiting boaters must register at the Dock House, and docking is subject to Harbor Master approval. More details can be found on the reciprocal privileges page.

Seasonal Operations

Some club operations are seasonal; for example, outdoor pools and The Galley poolside café operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Many yachting programs run year-round, and the marina and dockhouse remain staffed with seasonal adjustments. Club hours and seasonal service times are published on the seasonal operations page.

Member Resources

Member resources include a full fitness center with classes and personal training, childcare services, indoor and outdoor aquatics, a racquet sports pro shop and lessons, and six on-site guest rooms. The club also offers wine lockers, a Windward wine shop, an online and mobile member app, and an active committee structure for various interests. More information can be found on the member resources page.

Access Policy

Prospective members must be proposed by one and endorsed by two active members (excluding current Board members as sponsors). They must submit letters of support and sponsor questionnaires, have their name posted for at least four consecutive weeks, and be voted on by the Board of Governors. The typical application timeline is approximately 45 to 60 days. Guest access and conduct rules, including dress codes and age restrictions in certain venues, are published in the club rules and Guest Information. More details can be found on the access policy page.

Club History

The club was founded by charter in 1896 as a country club and later moved and expanded in the early 1900s. It was renamed Norfolk Country Club in 1927 and adopted the current name, Norfolk Yacht and Country Club, in January 1936 as yachting activity grew. The club has a long history of regional regattas and ongoing facility evolution. More information can be found on the club history page.

Youth Programmes

The club offers a robust selection of youth programmes, including the long-running Junior Sailing summer program, which features multiple sessions with various fleets such as Opti, C420, FJ, and Flying Scot. There is also a junior race team, swim team, and seasonal youth camps, along with awards and banquet events. Youth programming is a significant part of the club calendar. More details can be found on the youth programmes page.

Membership Options

The club provides multiple membership classes based on age and residency, including Full (Class A family, Class B single, ages 40-69), Intermediate classes (age-based: 18-29, 30-34, 35-39), Senior (70+), Service (active-duty military), and Non-Resident (residence over 50 miles). Prospective members can access an application packet and are directed to contact the Membership Director for details. Initiation fees and current dues are not publicly posted on the main site. More information can be found on the membership options page.

Weather Information

The club maintains yachting resources, including a listed Weather Station link and marina/harbor contact information on the Yachting/Marina pages. Real-time or detailed meteorological data is provided via the club’s yachting/weather resources as indicated on the marina page. More information can be found on the weather information page.