Nagawicka Lake Yacht Club celebrated its rich one hundred and twenty-five year sailing history in 2020. The Club continues to thrive on the competitive racing under which it was founded as well as an active social calendar and commitment to volunteerism.
Starting in the 1880s, families began to discover Nagawicka Lake and made their summer homes here. As time went on, they discovered the sport of sailing as did families on the surrounding lakes of Oconomowoc, Pine and Pewaukee. The prosperity of the 1890s let to an increased interest in the sport of sailing on some of the lakes in Waukesha County.
Nagawicka was and is perfect for sailing. Originally carved and filled by glaciers, it consists of clean water, a varying shoreline and glacial till on the southeast shore. An Island is set on Niagra lamestore resting in the middle of the lake to shift the winds and add a challenge. The lake is three miles long north to south and one mile wide east to west. It consists of about a thousand acres in total area. Nagawicka Lake is one of the deepest lakes in the area with a range of 45-95 feet deep. Large oak, hickory and ash trees fill the surrounding shores. Nagawicka Lake then and now is simply beautiful all year long.
From the quarry near the southwest end of the lake, stones were removed and carried over the frozen lake by horse and sled to build a four story mansion on the island. The mansion was built by Sam Howard and was the NLYC's first home. It was here the "Articles of Agreement and By-Laws" were discussed on August 10, 1895.
Nagawicka joined the Inland Lake Yachting Association (ILYA) in 1901 which is considered by some to be the official year the club was established. The first Commodore on record was Charles Cassius Rogers in 1901. Others view the establishment date, however, as 1895 when the rules and by-laws were drawn up for the yacht club.
1930s - Nagawicka hosted the first C WYA
1950s - X Fleet was started and not long after the youth sailing school program
1960s - Nagawicka Race Committee was formed; Current Club property was purchased; E boats joined the roster of NLYC fleets
1970s - First female Commodore was elected
1980s - Steer 'n Stein tradition began
1990s - MC Fleet was added to the competitive sailing options available
2000s - Club upgrades made and 420s purchased
In the summer of 1937, the La Belle Yacht Club, The Okauchee Yacht Club and the Nagawicka Yacht Club established a friendly rivalry holding several regattas amongst themselves. These regattas were so popular and successful that the clubs decided to try and make them permanent events. To do this, an association of sorts was needed and the Wisconsin Yachting Association (WYA) was formed in 1939.
The general objective and purpose of the WYA was to encourage and promote yachting and boating in all forms, the competitive sport of competition in these fields, and to encourage good fellowship and sportsmanship.
Purchase our Centennial Book celebrating 100 years of the Nagawicka Lake Yacht Club.