Founded in 1868, it is one of the oldest and largest yacht clubs in Germany, with some 2,000 members.

Norddeutscher Regatta Verein is one of the organizers of Kiel Week, together with the Yacht Club of Kiel, the Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee and the Hamburger Sailing Club.

Taking place in the Bay of Kiel, this annual event is one of the largest and most prestigious sailing regattas in the world.

The NRV also assists the Yacht Club of Lübeck in the organization of the Travemünder Woche.

This event was staged to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Hamburgischen Verein Seefahrt (HVS).