Nestled in the heart of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Watauga Lake is a landlocked sailor’s dream. Framed by rolling peaks and hollows of lush national forests and wilderness areas, the lake is breathtaking. However, these same geographical features also create ever-changing wind conditions that keep sailors gripping the tiller with focus.
“If you can sail Watauga, you can sail anywhere” is a phrase often heard among local sailors. For novices, the lake offers ideal learning conditions. Most days, sailors can expect gentle lake and land breezes, but winds coming off the mountains and through the hollers can throw curveballs even to the most seasoned captains. The unpredictability, and at times sheer absurdity, of these wind conditions demands attention and sharpens sailing skills.
This challenge also contributes to the strong camaraderie within the Watauga Lake sailing community. Mother Nature often foils even the best-trimmed sails, creating a shared humility among sailors. The lake’s seasoned sailors are humble, gracious, and eager to share their knowledge and passion with newcomers. As a novice, I can personally attest that the club welcomes new members with open arms, offering encouragement and the occasional good-natured jest.
Learning to sail at Watauga is about more than just mastering technique. Sailing here becomes an experiential art and a meditative practice. It encourages sailors to become intimately familiar with natural signs they may have previously overlooked. In this environment, the best skippers can read faint ripples on the otherwise glassy lake and expertly trim their sails before they even feel the wind on their faces.
Every year, the Watauga Lake Sailing Club hosts a summer sail course at Lakeshore Marina, designed for beginners and those looking to brush up on their skills. The club also organizes seasonal race series, typically held on Saturdays. For a few exhilarating hours, the normally tranquil lake transforms into a competitive arena. In ideal conditions, sails are taut, yachts heel side by side, and sailors hoot and holler as they revel in harnessing the power of nature.
Written by Somer Pickel for Northeast Tennessee Tourism
