Joining the VBC

The VBC is a master's rowing club, primarily for rowers age 26 and over, although, we do accept members as young as 18. Youth rowing for high school age athletes is currently offered by James River High School, Trinity High School, and the North Moreland Rowing Association.

Interested in Joining / How the VBC Operates

Thanks for your interest in joining the Virginia Boat Club. For experienced rowers, we offer both sweep and sculling programs. For novices, we offer learn to row classes for sweep and sculling. Our over 90 men and women rowers enjoy both recreational and competitive rowing along the historic and pristine waters of both the lower James River, just south of downtown Richmond and the upper James at Robious Landing Park in Chesterfield County. We enjoy unparalleled stretches of protected water that begin in downtown Richmond and stretches for miles past woods and fields and the occasional bald eagle, egret, and heron.

With our proximity to both the Northeast and Southeast, we compete with masters clubs in both areas. Throughout the late summer and fall, our crews historically have attended and competed in regattas from D.C., Fairfax, Baltimore, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Oak Ridge, and Augusta.

We also have socials--typically waterside gatherings on various riverfronts along the upper and lower James where we meet to do nothing more strenuous than grill, have a toast, pitch horseshoes, go for a swim, and tell tales of past and future rowing campaigns.

Experienced scullers have the option of racking their own boats at either of the two boathouses (currently, Robious is at capacity) or using one of the club's recreational or rec-racer singles or doubles. Because the club has a core of veteran sweep rowers and coxes, as well as several collegiate-program 4+s (as well as a racing quad), experienced newcomers are welcome to form a boat--the Club boating coordinator will assist in identifying suitable boatings.

Member Events

Scullers will enjoy our Wednesday morning King of the Hill competitions that we will launch in mid-May after we have all had a chance to work through early season aches and blisters. Be sure to check the Y2K Rowing site for a calendar of regatta events throughout the Middle Atlantic. Our racing season starts in early June with events on the Potomac River and lasts through early November with regattas on the Occoquan and for those who want to push the season, a final race in Augusta, Georgia.

Regatta

Check out our 'Events' page for upcoming Regatta and other events.

Joining

New members are required to execute a waiver and rules, agree to abide by VBC Rules, pay an initiation fee and dues, and participate in several mandatory work parties throughout the year. In addition, we hope that you will lend your expertise on the many projects the Club has undertaken.

Please print and sign a hard copy of the attached waiver. With the waiver, you will need to send your initiation, dues payment, and contact information to our treasurer. The treasurer will send you a boathouse key (or arrange to meet you at the boathouse) and a VBC Roster.

Annual dues are $300 per year plus $50 for the initiation fee for the first year, for a total of $350 dues for the first year. Dues are payable for an entire year, and are not seasonal. If you have participated in a Learn to Row class, the initiation fee is waived. We request you pay your annual dues in either two 6-month payments or one annual payment. If you pay your annual dues in a lump sum, we give you 12 months for the cost of 11, $275.00 plus $50.00 initiation fee, for a total first year payment of $325.00. Thereafter, annual dues are $300 per year, or $275 if paid in advance. Rack fees are additional. Click here for more information on VBC Membership & VBC Policies.
The VBC downtown boathouse location currently has rack space for privately owned singles and doubles. Members can rent rack space for $5 per month per boat, payable with monthly dues.

For fastest service, mail your waiver, contact information, and check payable to the Virginia Boat Club to:

J.M. Nemish

Treasurer, Virginia Boat Club
PO Box 8468

Richmond, VA 23226-8468

Be sure to send us your e-mail address, a mailing address, and phone numbers, work and home. We generally contact members exclusively through e-mail.

Thanks again for your interest. I hope to see you on the river.