“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore! Dream! Discover!”
About Your Captain
Meet Your Captain
– Mark Twain
Ahoy, I’m a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and the proud skipper of “Well Heeled,” a 28-foot Hunter sailboat. After nearly 20 years of sailing on Watauga Lake and countless days on the water, I know every cove, breeze, and sunset this mountain lake has to offer. Whether you’re chasing 30-knot winds or looking for a peaceful cruise with unforgettable views, I can guide you to an experience you’ll never forget with Sail Watauga.
My sailing experience extends far beyond the High Country. I’ve captained vessels in the Caribbean, the Atlantic, and the Pacific Oceans, and in 2018 I joined the Watauga Lake Sailing Club. Over the years I’ve served as Cruise Captain, Vice Commodore and as Commodore (President) of the club, where we have around 100 active members who race in regattas, give back to the community, and enjoy the camaraderie of life under sail.
I grew up on a small lake in Kings Mountain, NC, where I spent most of my youth in the water. At age 10, I built my first sailboat with a canoe using a sheet for a sail and a tree branch as the mast. My first sailboat was an Aqua Cat catamaran—which I still sail today. During college, I sailed a 16-foot Hobie Cat, learning the delicate balance of speed and safety. My first monohull was a 22-foot trailer sailer that gave me a whole new respect for wind and water.
Before sailing became a focal point of my life, I built a career in the snow sports industry, having taught skiing and snowboarding all across the country. I started while studying at Appalachian State University and eventually became a Professionally Certified Instructor, teaching thousands of people how to carve their first turns.
In 2013, everything changed after a mountain biking accident required multiple surgeries. During my recovery, I picked up a camera and started a new chapter. What began as a healing outlet turned into a thriving business. Now, over a decade later, I’m an award-winning photographer specializing in portrait and real estate photography, with my work featured on the cover of Carolina Mountain Life Magazine.
Today, I’m lucky to call Banner Elk, NC home. Whether I’m behind the wheel of a sailboat or behind the lens of a camera, my mission is simple: to share the beauty and adventure of the mountains and water I love so much. So come join me on the water, learn to sail, fine tune your racing skills or sip some wine at sunset. The water is waiting.
Captain Will