Willow Bank Yacht Club has been a fixture on the Cazenovia Lake shoreline since 1949. Originally formed as a sailing club, over the years it has become a summer home to many Cazenovia and surrounding area families. Willow Bank provides its members with outstanding lake frontage and views, docks, private boat launch, picnic area, beach, swimming area, swimming lessons, sailing lessons, children’s programming, Galley take-out restaurant and a lively social program.
The adult sailing program at Willow Bank is one of the most active in Central New York. Active racing fleets include: Finn, Flying Dutchman, Laser, Lightning and Sunfish. Each of these fleets host a regatta over the summer and fleet members will often travel to other area clubs for regattas as well. Formal club point races are held on Sundays. These are races to determine a club champion in each fleet. This format provides for a fun competition within the fleets. Adults also have sailing opportunities during the week with our Women of Willow Bank fleet sailing and socializing on Wednesday evenings and, on Thursday evenings, there is an informal sailing program for all members. In addition, we offer group adult lessons and private lessons for anyone looking to learn how to sail.
For our youngest members we have a great sand beach and a lifeguarded swimming area which allows hours of summer fun! Swimming lessons, sailing lessons, and Junior Fleet racing round out our youth programs. In addition, our Sailfish Program is a great way to expose your five to ten year old to basic sailing, canoeing, crafts, team building and other summer fun. Junior Fleet is our competitive racing fleet for juniors. Kids, ten and older, with sailing instructor approval, represent Willow Bank in local Interclub regattas throughout the summer and also get to compete at the Junior Olympics which are held in Rochester every summer.
Our hearty social schedule includes the Mid-Winter Fish Fry, Memorial Day picnic, Trivia Night, Commodore’s Ball, Fourth of July party, Midsummer Member-Guest Party, Kids Last Sail Party, Labor Day Awards Pot-Luck, Harvest Moon Dance Party as well as our legendary Friday Night Fish Fry dinners with live music from the deck. Members picnic at the club all summer and many have standing events with their friends at the club.
With the exception of the Club Manager, Purser and seasonal staff, Willow Bank is entirely a volunteer organization that depends on active participation by all members.
Consider making Willow Bank Yacht Club your summer home this year. Relax, recharge, and enjoy making some wonderful summer memories! For more information, please contact Charlotte Dieroff, Membership Chair at membership@willowbankyc.com or 315-440-0589.
WBYC 2022 Membership Packet