Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Water Sports Lessons & Gear in Waves, NC
Hatteras Island Surf Shop, established in 1971, has been a cornerstone of the Outer Banks' water sports community for over five decades. Founded by Barton Decker and a group of surfing enthusiasts, the business began as a modest surf shop in Waves, NC, and has since evolved into a premier destination for kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and surfing equipment and instruction. Our team combines decades of hands-on experience with a passion for water sports, offering expert-led lessons, high-quality gear rentals, and a curated selection of new and used equipment. As a family-owned and operated business, we prioritize personalized service, ensuring every customer receives tailored guidance to enhance their experience on the water. Our commitment to quality extends to our partnerships with leading brands like Airush and Cabrinha, as well as our in-house demo programs that let customers test gear directly from our waterfront location.With two physical shops operating seasonally and an online store open year-round, we serve both local enthusiasts and visitors seeking to explore the dynamic waters of Hatteras Island. Our instructors, including Airush-sponsored rider Reider Decker, specialize in kitesurfing, wing foiling, and windsurfing, catering to all skill levels from beginners to advanced athletes. We pride ourselves on fostering a welcoming community that shares our love for the ocean and the thrill of water sports, ensuring every interaction reflects our deep-rooted connection to the coast and its culture.
Services
Kitesurfing Lessons
Wing Foil Rentals
Surfboard Sales
Windsurfing Gear
Paddleboard Rentals
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of water sports expertise on Hatteras Island.
- Our instructors are sponsored professionals with specialized training certifications.
- We provide direct-from-shore equipment demos in optimal wind conditions.
- Family-owned operation ensures personalized customer service and local knowledge.
- We maintain a comprehensive inventory of new and used gear in stock.
What people say
Best investment ever
100% transitions success
Super personal attention
Awesome experience
Great selection
Services
Kitesurfing Lessons
Private and group kitesurfing lessons for all skill levels from certified instructors with 15+ years of teaching experience. Sessions include equipment use, safety protocols, and technique development. Ideal for visitors and locals seeking to master coastal wind conditions.
Wing Foil Rentals
Premium wing foil rentals featuring Airush and Cabrinha gear with carbon masts and performance wings. Available for full-day use with expert setup guidance. Perfect for intermediate to advanced riders exploring Pamlico Sound.
Used Gear Sales
Curated selection of inspected used kites, boards, and foils at discounted prices. Includes demo models from top brands with transparent condition reports. Available year-round through our physical and online stores.
Wetsuit Supply
Full range of Prolimit and Sooruz wetsuits for tropical to cold-water conditions. Features 2mm to 6/4mm thickness options with specialty designs for men, women, and youth. Includes boots, gloves, and accessories.
Surfboard Rentals
Daily surfboard rentals covering shortboards, longboards, and funboards. Includes soft-top options for beginners and performance models for experienced surfers. Located steps from Hatteras Island's best breaks.
People
Barton Decker
Owner & Founder
Pioneered surfing and windsurfing on Hatteras Island since 1971. Recognized industry legend with expertise in water sports instruction and retail operations. Directs business strategy and maintains core values of customer service.
Reider Decker
Kite & Wing Instructor
Airush Kites sponsored rider with 15 years of kitesurfing experience. Specializes in strapless techniques and advanced transitions. Teaches private and group lessons for all skill levels at our waterfront location.
Michael Halminski
Media Wizard
Certified kite instructor and professional videographer with background in sports coaching. Creates instructional content and manages digital media operations while leading freestyle coaching sessions.
Questions
What water sports lessons do you offer?
We provide kitesurfing, wing foiling, windsurfing, e-foil, and surfing lessons for all skill levels with certified instructors.
Can I rent equipment without lessons?
Yes, we offer standalone rentals for wing foils, surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks, and windsurfing gear with safety briefings.
Do you sell used water sports gear?
Yes, our demo-used gear shed features inspected kites, boards, and foils from top brands at discounted prices.
Are there seasonal store hours?
Our physical shops operate March-November (Sail Shop) and May-September (Surf Shop) with online sales year-round.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept major credit cards, PayPal, and Shop Pay both online and in-store for all purchases.
Do you ship products internationally?
Our online store ships domestically and internationally with calculated rates at checkout for all available products.
Reviews (4)
Rebecca Wang
Sep 02, 2021
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Best surf shop on the island. I rented surfboards and the prices to rent for 24 hours were terrific, and they had many styles of boards to choose from. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. HIGHLY recommend coming here to support a small family owned business!
Jenifer Hoover
Aug 26, 2021
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Awesome authentic surf shop, locally owned with a great history. The owner Rider is a stoked guy who goes the extra mile and is happy to do so. Hatteras Island Surf Shop is a very nice compliment to the more corporate shops.
M. Freeman
Nov 18, 2020
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Make sure they are open before you drive an hour to visit. I was impressed by the reviews and I get the flexible vibe.. but we drove over an hour. Arrived 45 minutes prior to scheduled closing time on a Friday, only to find it closed. What a waste of good OBX time. Won't make that mistake again.
Megan Garland
Jan 01, 2020
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First surfing experience=SUCCESS!! I loved this place and the people there. I worked with Kayla--a total sweetheart that was super friendly and eager to help. Reider--hooked me up with some rather last-minute lessons and timed out decent waves. Alex--provided excellent instruction, was very knowledgeable, honest, and funny as hell! Seriously felt like I coulda just hung out with these people all day, but I was too busy trying (TRYING) to catch some waves with my rental all week!! HIGHLY recommend this shop!
