A sailor for life

Story by Sheila Paz + Photography by Lily Whitener

Sailing might not be for everyone, but when you start at 10 and stick with it for nearly 30 years, it feels as natural as breathing. For Noah Kipar it’s more than a pastime, it’s his identity. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, and now living in Beaufort, Noah proudly calls himself “a sailor for life.” Today he serves as sailing director for Beaufort Community Sailing & Boating and owns Beaufort Boat Charters.

Setting sail 

What began as a father-son activity with his stepfather turned into a lifelong love for Noah. Learning the basics on Clarks Hill Lake near Augusta, he became a waterman early. By age 13 he was racing a Sunfish, a simple, joyful single-handed sailboat. That first regatta showed him just how much there was to learn. Sailboat racing sharpened his focus and taught him strategy and resilience.

“One thing I love about sailing is there’s always something to learn,” Noah said. 

Even though he did not race single-handed very often as a kid, he jumped at the challenge and soaked up every lesson from more experienced sailors. “Because I was a lightweight junior sailor who didn’t affect the overall weight of the boat too much, I was lucky enough to be invited to sail as crew with some really great sailors,” he says.

Sailing into deeper waters 

During college summers Noah found what he calls his young adult dream job with Sail Caribbean, a live-aboard sailing school for teens and college students that combines sailing, scuba diving, island exploration and leadership training. As both captain and program director, he worked with larger keel boats and discovered he loved teaching just as much as sailing.

“We had sailors from all over the world come and learn to sail. We taught the students marine navigation, seamanship skills and how to travel longer distances by water safely. Sail Caribbean isn’t just a live-aboard sailing school; we empower the students through sailing and exploration while helping them learn life skills like working as a team, cooking their own meals and keeping everything on board ship-shape,” says Noah.

It is an experience he recommends to any young person curious about adventure and growth. You never know what the water might teach you.

Memories on the water 

Sailing around the Virgin Islands and the Leeward Islands in his early 20s left Noah with memories that still feel fresh.

“There was a new moon, and the stars were so bright,” he said. “It was so dark that the horizon just vanished, and the stars reflected off the water, giving the feeling as if we were sailing through space. It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.”

Then there was a moment that brought him face-to-face with one of nature’s giants.

“A co-worker and I were bringing up a boat from Antigua to the British Virgin Islands,” Noah said. “I was on the helm while my mate got some sleep; the sun had just come up, and all of a sudden a pilot whale surfaced about 10 feet away from our boat. It was really cool because he looked me right in the eyes for about 10 seconds and then went back under. I never saw the whale again, but I’ll definitely never forget that 10 seconds of eye contact we shared.” 

The captain becomes the coach 

In 2019 Noah charted a new course to Beaufort, later taking on the role of sailing director for Beaufort Community Sailing & Boating in 2021. The nonprofit teaches seamanship skills and brings sailing opportunities to the local community. Under Noah’s leadership the youth program has grown from five competitive junior sailors to 25, with some going on to become instructors themselves.

“I will always be a sailor, but what is cool is that I am now a teacher getting to share my love for sailing and boating,” Noah said. “It’s really rewarding getting to give back and share my excitement for sailing with the young people in our community.” 

Words to navigate by 

“If sailing has been a dream of yours, give it a shot, and stick with it,” Noah said. “Learn to accept and be open to the challenges. It is not something that anyone can pick up overnight. It takes practice, perseverance and respect for the things that are happening around you. There will be days when you have great experiences and others when the wind dies on you or you get hit by a squall.”

Noah believes sailing is not just about harnessing the wind but about the journey itself — and how far it can take you, both physically and personally.

“It will teach you so many everlasting lessons and hopefully instill a great respect for nature and all it has to offer,” he says.

Whether you are chasing wind for the first time or guiding the next generation, Noah’s story shows that a lifelong love for sailing can start with just one push from shore.

Thinking about sailing? Here’s how to get started:

You don’t need to own a fancy boat or grow up on the water to start sailing. Here’s how to take the first tack. 

Take a class

If you want to learn the ropes, look for community sailing programs, yacht clubs or local sailing schools that offer beginner lessons on safe, stable boats with experienced instructors. Around Hilton Head you can try Island Recreation’s Rowing & Sailing Center, the junior sailing programs at the South Carolina Yacht Club or the Coastal Carolina Sailing School. North of the Broad, Beaufort Community Sailing & Boating runs private and group lessons for kids and adults out of the Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club. 

Crew for someone

A great way to gain experience is to crew for another sailor. Check in with local yacht clubs like the Yacht Club of Hilton Head, Harbour Town Yacht Club, the South Carolina Yacht Club or the Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club to see if anyone needs an extra set of hands, or keep an eye on bulletin boards and social media for crew calls. Many skippers welcome enthusiastic beginners who can help with basic tasks. It’s a fun way to learn the ropes, build skills and connect with the local sailing community.

Learn the lingo

Sailing has its own language, but don’t let that intimidate you. Grab a book, or watch videos to get familiar. Here are a few basics. 

Port: The left side of the boat when you’re facing forward

Starboard: The right side of the boat when you’re facing forward

Bow: The front of the boat

Stern: The back of the boat

Sheets: The ropes that control the sails

Halyards: The ropes that raise or lower the sails

Tack: Turning the front of the boat through the wind

Jibe: Turning the back of the boat through the wind

Practice, practice, practice

Like Noah says, sailing is something you build over time. The more you’re on the water, the more confident you’ll feel. With so many calm creeks, rivers and open sounds around the Lowcountry, there’s no shortage of places to practice your skills and enjoy the journey. A great place to start is the protected waters of Skull Creek or Broad Creek on Hilton Head, or in the Port Royal Sound where you’ll find steady breezes and plenty of room to maneuver without heavy boat traffic. 

Respect the elements

Weather, tides and wind are all part of the adventure. Around the Lowcountry, conditions can change quickly with pop-up storms or shifting breezes, and our large tidal swings (sometimes up to eight feet) can create strong currents that surprise even experienced boaters. Stay aware, check the forecast, and be ready to adjust your plans.