About Offshore Sailing School

Everyone – From our knowledgeable sales team to our expert instructors and managers – Cares about you!

You are about to embark on one of the most exciting adventures of your life. Rather than a vacation that ends on the last day, sailing is the beginning of a passion that lasts a lifetime. It’s a passion that founders Steve and Doris Colgate have dedicated their lives to sharing with you.

A sailor since the age of nine, Steve’s racing career includes America’s Cup Trials, the Olympics, TransAtlantic and Fastnet Races. He has completed numerous class championships and international distance races on maxi-ocean racers. Together the Colgates campaigned their 54-foot ocean-racer Sleuth and have enjoyed cruising all over the world.

Steve founded Offshore Sailing School in 1964. Doris founded the National Women’s Sailing Association in 1990. Both Steve and Doris actively participate on several national boards and committees, including US SAILING, Boat U.S. and Sail America. Steve was president of the International Sailing Schools Association from 1997 to 2003.

In 1996, Steve and Doris shared the prestigious Sail Magazine Industry Award for Leadership and in 2003 the US SAILING Timothea Larr Trophy in recognition of their outstanding leadership and excellence in sailing education. Doris was awarded the Betty Cook Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award from Boating Magazine and the coveted Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award from Boat U.S. and the National Women’s Sailing Association.

When you take a course at Offshore, you receive all the benefits of Steve and Doris Colgate’s vast experience! They are continually improving, refining and polishing their curriculum to give you exactly what you need to feel confident at the helm. And they want you to enjoy sailing to the max!

In May 2010 they’ll be leading at least their 65th (they’ve lost count) cruise for Offshore Sailing School graduates in celebration of the company’s 46th year in business and the Colgates’ 40 years of marriage. They don’t get to sail as much as they used to, they lament – “because we are always working on new programs and staying ahead of the game in challenging times” says Doris. The cruise is in two legs – one from St. Lucia to Grenada and the second from Grenada back to St. Lucia – all on 50 footers from The Moorings. Take a course with Offshore, sign up for one or both legs – and cruise  with the Colgates!

Offshore Sailing School has a long history, operated continuously as a private corporation under the day to day guidance of the Colgates and the Offshore Team. Because it was founded before computers, the exact number of graduates who have completed a core course with Offshore Sailing School is unknown. However, simple calculations over the years brings up more than 100,000 individuals who took a course with Offshore.  Click here for the Offshore Sailing School Fact Sheet.
 

Go Sailing — Good for you. Good for the World! TM Sailing is the ultimate green activity — and we’re keen on green! Because sailing is wind-powered, you’ll use very little fuel, if any. An exhilarating tonic for your senses, it’s refreshing, all-natural and very, very clean!

Click here to get involved in sailing or call 888-454-7015 to talk to one of our friendly advisors.