Organizations and Clubs by Sport

Note that the clubs and groups listed below in alphabetical order are in addition to law school organizations.

Baseball/Softball

North Grounds Softball League

Open to anyone in the North Grounds of the University, the softball league is comprised mostly of Law School students, with some faculty and staff participating, and a few Darden School of Business teams. There are three leagues: a coed league, a regular league, and a "macho" league. Teams on the coed league must have at least four women players. The season takes place in fall and spring, with playoffs to determine league champions. The NGSL also hosts a national softball tournament in the spring with teams from more than 60 schools.

Virginia Club Baseball

UVA student club team plays competitively against ACC schools such as Duke, Wake Forest, and University of North Carolina, and in-state rivals such as William and Mary. Tryouts in late February. The 20-game schedule runs from mid-March to late April. Two to three weekends are spent on the road in North Carolina, and the season ends with a tournament at UNC.

Biking

Mountain Bike Club

Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club.

Charlottesville Bike Club

Local club compiles the Guide to Road Rides in Central Virginia with maps and details of on-road bike rides.

Charlottesville Racing Club

Road racing, mountain biking, and cyclocross. All ages and levels.

Monticello Velo Club

Road bike racing club. Check out site for information.

University of Virginia Cycling Team

For graduate/law/business students, undergraduates and alumni. The Virginia Cycling Team is a club sport at the University of Virginia and is a member of the ACCC (Atlantic Coast Cycling Conference) of the National Collegiate Cycling Association (NCCA), sanctioned by the United States Cycling Federation.

Wintergreen Resort

Offers guided mountain bike ride, rentals, races, camps, etc. Call for directions.

Canoeing, Kayaking, Rafting

UVA Outdoor Equipment Rental

Students and Intramural Sports members can rent canoes, paddles, life vests, and a car-top carrier system. Inexpensive.

Rivanna River Company

James River Runners

Canoeing, inner tubing, kayaking and rafting. Equipment rentals, group excursions, and wilderness trips. 20 years' experience.

James River Reeling & Rafting

Canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing rentals and trips.

Downriver Canoe Company

Canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and rafting on the southern fork of the Shenandoah River in the Shenandoah Valley.

Dance Classes and Clubs

Albemarle County Parks and Rec.

Ballroom, swing, and country line dance classes.

Recreational Sports

Different dance class schedule each semester.

Swing Club UVA

Student group that organizes lessons, workshops, and dances.

USA DANCE: Charlottesville Chapter
434-980-8159

The local chapter of this national group offers dances and lessons in waltz, fox trot, rumba, and other ballroom dances.

Field Hockey

Virginia Club Field Hockey

A great way for people who have played hockey in high school to continue enjoying the sport. This club team plays other schools, mostly in Virginia but also in Maryland and North Carolina, and practices about three times a week, primarily in fall. Social activities with other club teams.

Fishing

Mountain River Outdoors
Owner is very friendly and knowledgeable about locations and local fish. Pole rental $15-25/day. Sells licenses and boating and marine supplies. Specializes in a wide variety of fly fishing equipment and accessories.

See the following fishing sites under Parks:
Beaver Creek Reservoir (bass, bream, crappie, catfish, muskie) and Chris Greene Lake (bass, bream, crappie)

James River

One of best small-mouth bass rivers east of the Mississippi.

Rapidan River (trout)

Rivanna Reservoir
No gas motors, fee, or rental boats. Large-mouth and small-mouth bass, bream, crappie, muskie, walleye.

Sugar Hollow (trout)
 

Golf 

See Virginia Golf for general information about golfing in the state.

Birdwood Golf Course

University golf course open to public. Student and faculty/staff rates. Four sets of tees, 18 holes, driving range, and restaurant.

Meadow Creek Golf Course at Pen Park

Hiking

For nice hikes and walks in or closer to town, see Parks/Lakes (Ivy Creek, Meadow Creek Trails, Mint Springs, Ragged Mountain). For areas outside town to hike see Camping & Hiking.

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (Charlottesville Chapter) 

Local hiking club leads a hike or trail maintenance trip every Saturday. Meet at Albemarle High School at 9 a.m. Bring food, water and appropriate clothing.

Horseback Riding

Virginia Riding Team
The UVA Riding team consists of athletes of all levels and offers a chance for interested members to compete in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association.

Virginia Polo Club
Virginia Polo Center

Scrimmages five days a week for all skill levels. Competition with other colleges and local polo teams.

Mountaintop Ranch
Rt. 1, Box 402, Elkton, VA 22827 
540-298-9542
Getting there: Rt. 29 N to Ruckersville, then 33 West. Off Rt. 609 in Elkton.

Working quarter horse ranch with great mountain views. Open 7 days a week. Reservations required. Children welcome. Picnic and camping areas.

Ice Skating

Ice Hockey Club

UVA student club competes with universities such as Duke and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Lacrosse

Women's Club Lacrosse

This UVA student club plays against other University club teams and Division 2 and 3 varsity teams. Spring tournaments in Maryland and Louisiana. Tryouts are held in the fall for the year, and the team carries about 30 to 35 members.

Virginia Men's Club Lacrosse

UVA student club holds practices and games both semesters. Competes in the NCLL and plays teams such as Maryland, Richmond, and Washington and Lee. Tournaments each year at East Carolina, Penn State, and New Orleans. All skill levels are welcome from beginner to ex-varsity.

Martial Arts

UVA Intramural-Recreational Sports teaches some martial arts classes. Many private martial arts schools exist in Charlottesville. See the Yellow Pages.

Cavalier Judo

Cavalier Judo Club promotes the practice and study of judo, a sport derived from jujutsu. The word "judo" means "the gentle way," referring to the way that judo uses an opponent's motion to throw them rather than overpowering them with force. 

Kendo Club

Undergraduate and graduate students at the University practice Kendo- a Japanese  sword martial art. The club trains novice members in the basic skills and prepares the higher-level members for national tournaments. The club also welcomes Kumdo practitioners

Shotokan Karate Club

Tae Kwon Do Club

The University's Tae Kwon Do Club (TKD Club) was created in the fall of 1992 and has been in operation ever since.

Wushu Club

Wushu Club members are currently training in Shaolin and Long Fist forms. Advanced members may learn animal forms, weapons, and other styles.

Rifle

Virginia Rifle and Pistol Club
The Virginia Rifle and Pistol Club offers full instruction in pistol and rifle marksmanship as well as shotgun sports. All participants are given instruction in firearms safety and have the option of shooting for fun or for the competitive teams.

Rock Climbing

Rocky Top Climbing Club

Indoor rock-climbing introductory lesson. Equipment rental.

ACAC Rocks also has an indoor climbing wall; see the section on private gyms.

Rowing

Rivanna Rowing Club

Central Virginia rowing club provides equipment, education, and support to rowers of all levels.

Rugby

Virginia Rugby Football Club

"The oldest rugby club south of the Mason-Dixon." Established in 1961, the Virginia Rugby Club welcomes law students at practices or in the audience at matches.

Running

Ragged Mountain Running Shop

Good source of information on running, local road races, and local track club. Sells a Charlottesville running trails booklet. Turn in old running shoes for discount on new pair.

Charlottesville Track Club
434-293-6115

Local track club established in 1976, sponsors Saturday morning runs, speed workouts, fun runs, and 5K and 10k races. Student membership rate.

Sailing

Sailing Association at the University of Virginia

UVA student/faculty group for all levels. Sailing lessons for beginners. Boats available for pleasure sailing. Club races competitively, travels to regattas.

Scuba
UVA scuba certification info

UVA Intramural-Recreational Sports offers scuba diving certification, as well as the following private shops:

Charlottesville Scuba Center

Classes, equipment, and travel packages are offered. Operates former quarry for local diving in season.

University Dive Center

Offers classes, equipment sales, service and rental, and travel packages.

Skiing & Snow Tubing 

Massanutten
Near Harrisonburg, Virginia (40 miles) 

Eight slopes, five chairlifts, accommodations across from ski area. Snow tubing park is popular with families.

Wintergreen
Wintergreen, Virginia (43 miles)

12 slopes, four chairlifts, slope-side accommodations, snow tubing. Popular with law students.

Other ski resorts farther away (call for information):

Bryce Mountain
Basye, Virginia (l02 miles) 

Canaan Mountain
Davis, West Virginia (3.5 hours) 

 

The Homestead
Hot Springs, Virginia (172 miles) 

Snowshoe
Slaty Fork, West Virginia (82 miles) 

 

Soccer

Virginia Soccer League
One of the largest club sports at UVA provides students a chance to play competitive soccer without the extensive time commitment that the sport usually demands. Full-size teams play full-field intraleague games on the weekends during the fall. University students of all playing abilities are welcome to join. There is usually a co-ed law school team.

Swimming

UVA has indoor pools at the Aquatic Fitness Center and Memorial Gym.

Atlantic Coast Athletic Club (ACAC)

Private club and gym, Olympic-size, intermediate and infant swimming pools. You must be a member. ACAC also has a waterpark open to all for an entrance fee in summer.

City of Charlottesville indoor swimming pools 
(call for hours and rates):

Smith Recreation Center
Rates and Hours
Fitness center with competitive-swim and leisure pools, water slides, lazy river and exercise programs.
 

City of Charlottesville outdoor pools are open from Memorial Day (last Monday in May) to Labor Day (first Monday in September). Call for rates and hours.

Meade Park, Onesty Family Aquatic Center 
Rates and Hours

Washington Park Pool
Rates and Hours
 

Tennis

UVA Intramural-Recreational Sports offers a summer tennis program for adults and children. See Racquet Sports for information on University tennis courts.

Tennis Club at UVA

Virginia Club Tennis brings together advanced and intermediate players at the University of Virginia who wish to play tennis actively at a competitive level. Practices are held several days per week, and the team routinely competes against other schools.

Charlottesville Tennis League

This well-established league offers competitive play on a weekly basis. Mixed doubles are played spring, summer, and fall in eight-week sessions. Any mixed doubles pair or individuals may sign up. Indoor play during the winter.

Atlantic Coast Athletic Club (ACAC)

Tennis instruction and league teams. Eight clay tennis courts open March-Nov.

Yoga

UVA Intramural-Recreational Sports offers hatha, kundilini, and mixed-style yoga classes. Some classes are conveniently located at North Grounds.

Hot Yoga Charlottesville

Yoga in a 110-degree heated room. Validates parking at the nearby garages. Offers specials to first-time customers.

Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville

For serious study in a yoga community, try a workshop in yoga, meditation, or spirituality under Sri Swami Satchidananda and his students in this Integral Yoga ashram in Buckingham near Scottsville, about one hour from Charlottesville.