The idea of a  Nautical Club on Leros was born in May 1977,  when dentist Alexis Charalampidis arrived on the island to start his practice and realized there was no such Club. A few months later when he settled on the island,  he brought his first sailboat, a homemade vessel designed  by naval architect  Stavros Psatheris. “Ioanna” became the first vessel available to the nautical club, where lessons and training sessions began. However, due to high interest from both adults and children, one boat was not enough.

In collaboration with Mike Florentis, a shipyard owner in Patmos, 10 Optimist resembling boats designed by an Australian naval architect were ordered and built. When the boats arrived in Leros, the   club members enthusiastically assisted painting and rigging the vessels. Leros  Municipality  provided a small building in Alinda bay to meet the needs of the club.

In 1982 the first sailing race with sailors from Leros  took place, followed with a second one in 1983 with the participation of  all  club boats. September 1983, due to municipal needs the boats were temporarily stored on the beach until a new space for the Nautical Club could be found. An unexpected sudden storm hit Alinda, destroying all 10 boats within half an hour. Despite the shock and disappointment, initial consideration of dissolving the Nautical Club was abolished due to the  founder’s  determination and love for sailing.

In 1984, Alexis bought  a used 29 ft off shore boat named “Tamarisk.” With this boat, the activities of the Naval Club resumed, focusing on off shore sailing courses and practice. A decision was reached  not to restart the small boat section until proper facilities were secured. In 1997, founder Alexis Charalampidis requested from the municipality the concession of a dilapidated and looted Italian ammunition warehouse in Koulouki as a space for the club. The request was unanimously accepted by the municipal board, and the renovation process began. With the help of the local community, businessmen and the club’s founder, as well as some assistance from the Municipality of Leros, the club’s new facilities were inaugurated in 2010.

In 2010, upon the founder’s proposal, the club became a branch of HORC, who provided 6 Optimists for Leros and 2 for the neighboring Agathonisi. This collaboration marked the official participation of the Nautical Club of Leros in off shore sailing competitions and the organization of the first international off shore sailing regatta in Leros in memory of the philhellene author and sailor Joran Shildt, an event held annually.

The Nautical Club of Leros  has been continuously  active to date , offering courses for Optimists and Laser boats, off shore sailing courses and organizing sailing competitions  with the highlight being the international annual sailing regatta  dedicated to the memory of Joran Shildt.