Making a Difference
on Hatteras Island
Since 2020, Hatteras Community Sailing has worked to make the waters of Pamlico Sound accessible to every member of the Outer Banks community — residents, visitors, and youth alike.
2024 By the Numbers
Our Mission
Hatteras Community Sailing was founded during the onset of COVID early in 2020 in the Seaside Village of Avon on Hatteras Island, NC. The Mission: an organization dedicated to nurturing a lifelong passion for seamanship and a deep respect for nature and the sea.
Programs existed in the region, but only in the form of weekly camps — with no path for ongoing development. With the waters surrounding Cape Hatteras (Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Gulf Stream) rich and diverse in maritime heritage, it made perfect sense. For six years, Hatteras Community Sailing has been the only program on the Outer Banks focused on continuous skill development for all ages.
As a US Sailing Community Sailing Organization, Hatteras Community Sailing has made a real impact. With a perfect safety record since inception, our program has — for the first time in Outer Banks history — produced local youth who are impressing coaches from Florida to New England. We constantly expose our sailors to the highest levels of competition by collaborating with highly established organizations including Hampton Yacht Club, Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Annapolis Yacht Club, and Carolina Yacht Club.
We are truly a Community Sailing Program, here for island youth. No child is turned away for inability to pay.
"Hatteras Island has one of the finest sailing environments on the East Coast. Our job is to make sure every kid here knows it — and has the skills to belong to it."
Board of Directors
Hatteras Community Sailing is governed by a volunteer board of community members. All board positions are uncompensated.
Active Programs
Year-round skill progression from first splash to competitive sailor — unique in all of Dare County.
Cape Explorer Camp
Introductory sailing and boating camp for children using both large and small boats. Many participants have never sailed, boated, or swum before joining.
Sailing Littles
Feeder program for children ages 5–7 focused on water comfort and swimming, with more experienced Opti sailors serving as mentors.
Opti Sailing Program
Youth sailing development on Optimist dinghies, building competitive skills and seamanship for sailors ages 8–13.
High School 420 Program
Competitive collegiate-style sailing on 420s for high school sailors. Our 14 year-round sailors consistently place well in regional competitions.
Adult Learn to Sail
Group adult sailing sessions June through August on a rotating fleet including Hobie Cats, Stiletto Catamaran, Flying Scot, and Collegiate 420.
School & Homeschool Programs
Multi-day on-water training for school groups and homeschool co-ops throughout Dare County. A 2024 Chapel Hill 10th-grade group was so successful that 21 students are returning in 2025.
2024 Highlights
Lighthouse Regatta — SAYRA Grand Prix Nomination
Our 2024 fall Lighthouse Regatta was nominated as a SAYRA (South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association) Grand Prix event, drawing competitive sailors from North Carolina and Georgia — even as the region dealt with the impact of Hurricane Helene. A testament to the dedication of our sailing community.
Chapel Hill School Group — 21 Returning in 2025
A group of 10th graders from Chapel Hill completed three days of on-water training, learning the physics of sailing across Hobie Cats, Melges 24s, and a Stiletto 425. The program was so successful that 21 students are expected to return in 2025.
Pipeline to Professional Maritime Careers
Our year-round program is unique in Dare County for offering continuous skill progression — from beginner to mentor, to certified US Sailing instructor, to US Coast Guard licensed Merchant Marine. In 2024, our first group of youth began pursuing their instructor certifications.
Regional Reach — Kill Devil Hills & Dare County
Beyond Hatteras Island, we coach and provide equipment for the Colington sailing camp in Kill Devil Hills, and offer programs for homeschoolers throughout Dare County.
Two Annual Regional Regattas
Hatteras Community Sailing organizes two regattas each year that draw sailors from across the Carolinas and beyond — establishing Hatteras Island as a competitive sailing destination on the East Coast.
Help Us Do More in 2025
Every donation keeps our fleet on the water, funds youth scholarships, and ensures no child on Hatteras Island is turned away for inability to pay.
Hatteras Community Sailing · EIN: 85-2684924 · 501(c)3 Nonprofit · Donations are tax-deductible