05/11/2026
Hatteras Island Meals (HIM) is so incredibly fortunate to have these fine folks support us. Please take the time to read about this beautiful contribution written and organized by Linda Matthews.
Duke Courtnell has been coming to Hatteras Island since 1968, first lured by off-shore fishing but later as an avid kiteboarder. He marked a special milestone on his 80th birthday kiting with longtime friends in Frisco in dicey, blustery, off-shore wind. His windy escapades often included Mary Hammond-Tooke, Duke’s dear friend and fellow adventurer.
His last day as a kiter was at age 82 in Frisco, still owning the best jump transition among his cohorts. Duke loved Hatteras Island and contributed his time every Thursday to a special group.
When he and his wife, Sue, decided it was time to sell his beachfront salt box, they had a few days to clean out and distribute years of memorabilia and GEAR! His friend and kite mentee, Linda Matthews, volunteered to take the gear and sell it donating the funds to Hatteras Island Meals, a cause that spoke to the Courtnells. “Duke spent hours babysitting me when I first started kiting. As the youngest in our kite group at 60, I had a lot to learn to catch up. They were more than 10 years my senior and really good kiters. Duke always helped me and inspired me to do more.”
The donation to Hatteras Island Meals is $3,060 from the sale of kites, boards, surfboards, harnesses, bars, impact vests and wetsuits. Duke was kidded a lot about the ragged impact vest he always wore, and in the trove of gear sold, there were 2 new ones, but Duke liked his old one best. We hope everyone who participated in this gear adventure uses their gear until its last functioning day! Thanks to all of you who helped support Hatteras Island Meals with your purchases!
