Our Sailing Team Building Programs
CORPORATE SAIL-RACE CHALLENGE® SAILING TEAM BUILDING EVENTS
Sailing Team Building Programs
Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, National Sailing Hall of Fame inductee, and our company founder, Steve Colgate, instills in our company why winning teams work so well together. He and his team of expert instructors combine knowledge and experience to develop highly successful sailing team building programs. During our corporate sailing team building events, very different personalities learn how to work together to accomplish a common goal. Good leadership skills are developed, trust and respect are fostered.
SAILING TEAM BUILDING HAS NO BARRIERS, EVERYONE IS EQUAL
Anyone of any age, size and strength can participate in a Corporate Sail-Race Challenge® sailing team building event. Why? Because our instructors know how to teach sailing in comfortable setting, ensuring that it is not overly challenging like a “ropes course” or “climbing a wall.” Offshore Sailing School instructors specialize in teaching people how to sail and work together as a team successfully. Whether your group includes people who are avid sailors or boating novices, young or old, fit or not so fit, they are encouraged to participate on an equal basis with all aboard. Contact us and ask about our sailing team building events today!
SAILING TEAM BUILDING PROGRAM BENEFITS
Maximizing a sailboat’s performance is remarkably similar to maximizing a company’s performance. Here’s how our comprehensive sailing team building programs can help boost overall company and group morale and productivity.
Sailing requires successful interaction between the “captain” at the helm and the crew managing the sails in order to make the boat go where the team wants it to go.
Sailing requires strategic planning and develops problem solving skills.
Wind shifts on the water are like changes in the workplace, requiring smart, timely reactions.
HOW THE CORPORATE SAIL-RACE CHALLENGE® WORKS
Each boat is assigned a team of four or five participants with an expert Offshore Sailing School coach. Each team member rotates as captain and crew. Company executives express how amazing it is to experience taking orders from an employee when they are tasked with crewing instead of leading, and employees discover how challenging it is to be in the driver’s seat. This all results in renewed respect for one another.
TYPICAL HALF-DAY SCHEDULE (9:00-1:00 OR 1:00-5:00)
Our sailing team building courses can be a half day, full day or multiple days. Programs are tailored to your individual group plans and schedules. Please call contact Chasen@offshoresailing.com to learn more and get a quote for your group event. This sailing program is available at the Pink Shell Beach Resort on Ft. Myers Beach, FL or in St. Petersburg, FL for groups of 8-16 participants. We will make reserve accommodations for you or give you the group person in charge so you can make your own arrangements and group events other than sailing.
• Welcome meeting ashore with program overview & team building concepts related to sailing
• Session on sailing basics and the language of sailing (20 min.)
• Dockside session to acquaint teams with boats, basic sailing maneuvers, sail handling (20 min.)
• On-water sailing instruction, with emphasis on working together as a team, and strategically planning for the teams next exercise (1-1/2 hours)
• Races and exercises test team interaction as sailing continues (1-1/2 hours)
• Debrief ashore after all boats return to dock (20 min.)
• Presentation of personalized certificates and logbooks, with awards presentation if pre-arranged – a festive ending for productive results at work
TYPICAL FULL-DAY SAILING TEAM BUILDING SCHEDULE
• Welcome meeting ashore with program overview & team building concepts related to sailing
• Classroom session on sailing basics and the language of sailing (20 min.)
• Dockside session to acquaint teams with boats, basic sailing maneuvers, sail handling (20 min.)
• On-water sailing instruction, with emphasis on working together as a team (2 hours)
• Lunch break ashore (1 hour)
• Sailing continues with exercises focusing on strategic and tactical planning (1 hour)
• Multiple races that challenge and test team interaction (2-1/2 hours)
• Debrief ashore after all boats return to dock (30 minutes)
• Presentation of personalized certificates and logbook, with awards (if pre-arranged) – a festive ending for productive results at work
MULTI-DAY SAILING TEAM BUILDING PROGRAM
• Typically, groups choose the three-day Learn to Sail certification course
• First two days are spent developing a deep understanding of the basics of sailing with emphasis on working together as a team
• Third day is devoted to racing with each boat’s crew working towards making their boat get to the finish line first
• One-hour break for lunch ashore each of the three days
• Certificates, logbooks and awards presented at end of third day with debrief on how each team interacted with each other and the other boats in the fleet
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS TEAM BUILDING & LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
This special British Virgin Islands Team Building & Leadership Program can be four days or a week, starting with sailboat training on our Colgate 26 daysailers for up to 8, or the entire program can be on 40′-50′ cruising yachts (ideal for small and larger groups).
Packages are tailored to meet the goals of the group program organizer. Many groups bring their own facilitators to work closely with our faculty instructor coaches. In this case the coaching team meets with facilitators before participants arrive to fine-tune objectives. A typical British Virgin Islands Leadership Adventure package includes:
• Pre-departure orientation and training at an Sailing School Florida location if desired, but not mandatory.
• Upon arrival in British Virgin Islands, transfer from ferry or local airport direct to boats.
• Instructors assigned to each boat greet crews assigned to each yacht.
• Group dinner first night with orientation meeting to lay out how the week progresses.
• Leave marina next morning after breakfast aboard each boat, head out for first day, learning how to steer and crew a large yacht.
• Day 2 and the rest of the program days, daily individual boat and fleet exercises are conducted – all designed to challenge individuals, foster team work and create leaders.
• Professional, expert Offshore Sailing School instructors are on each boat, coaching teams to excel and work together throughout the week.
• Individuals will share cabins aboard state-of-the-art 46’ to 54’ cruising yachts.
• All breakfasts, lunches, snacks and two or three dinners aboard are included while completing the program; some dinners may be held at local eateries with group seminars.
• Textbook sent in advance for individuals to study.
• Event UV protective shirt (or polo shirt) and/or cap provided (chosen by group leader).
For half-day and full-day programs Corporate Sail-Race Challenge® sailing team building programs are held aboard fleets of Colgate 26 sailboats, meticulously designed by sailing legend Steve Colgate and renowned naval architect Jim Taylor. These sailboats are crafted to deliver both speed and enjoyment, making them ideal for team-building activities. The Colgate 26 features a spacious, comfortable cockpit that can easily accommodate five adult participants, ensuring ample room for team interaction and collaboration.
Dimensions: The Colgate 26 has a length overall (LOA) of 25 feet 8 inches and a beam (width) of 8 feet 6 inches, which provides stability and ample space for up to 5 crew members.
Construction: The hull is made from high-quality fiberglass, which ensures durability and longevity. The deck is designed to be non-slip for safety during maneuvers.
Speed and Handling: Known for its exceptional speed and responsive handling, the Colgate 26 features a high-aspect ratio rig, which provides efficient sail power and allows for excellent upwind performance. This is all sailor-talk, but rest assured that’s what makes sailing team building events so much fun on these boats.
Rigging: The boat is rigged with a fractional sloop setup, which includes a mainsail and a smaller headsail. This rigging configuration is easy to manage and allows for sophistication not found on most 26′ sailboats. Teams learn a lot more about managing a boat together when there are more options to adjust.
Unsinkable Flotation: The Colgate 26 is designed with positive flotation, making it unsinkable. This feature is crucial for safety, giving sailors in a sailing team building program confidence even in challenging conditions.
Cockpit: The spacious cockpit can comfortably accommodate five adults, allowing for team-based sailing and easy movement around the boat with ergonomic seats for extra comfort. the instructor can be in the cockpit with participants, or on a special platform behind the person steering with access to lines that help the team maneuver.
Rails and Handholds: Fixed rails and strategically placed handholds ensure that crew members can safely lean and brace themselves when the boat heels (leans) over, which sailboats generally do on certain points of sail. That’s when sailing team building programs provide challenge to the crew, as they can control how much the boat heels by adjusting sails, and the skipper at the helm controls this too by adjusting the boat’s heading into or away from the where the wind’s direction.
Training Vessel: The Colgate 26 is widely used as a training vessel due to its forgiving nature and straightforward handling characteristics, perfect for for instructional purposes.
Racing: Despite being a great training boat, it is also capable of competitive racing. Its performance-oriented design makes it a favorite for sailing competitions and corporate sail-race challenges.
Transition to Larger Boats: An excellent stepping stone for sailing team building groups who wish to transition to larger and more complex yachts that require even more team and leadership planning. the Colgate 26 provides a solid foundation of skills that can be applied to larger vessels.
Colgate 26 fleets, ideal for both novice sailors and experienced racers, is suitable for groups ranging from 8 to 20 participants, and are available at most Offshore Sailing School locations. These fleets are perfect for our team-building programs, offering a unique and engaging way to enhance corporate and group teamwork, communication, and morale.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS TEAM BUILDING & LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Most Saiing Team Buidling and Leadership Programs are conducted aboard 40’ to 50’ cruising yachts with four cabins, spacious main salons, big cockpits and big sails for challenging and exciting drills underway. Participants live aboard the yachts, sailing from one port to another throughout the week or number of days the group dedsires. In the British Virgin Islands, the yachts come from The Moorings and Sunsail – the two largest and most prestigious charter companies in the world. In Florida, participants sail and live aboard 40’to 45’ cruising yachts.
We are thrilled to share the glowing testimonials from our previous clients who have experienced the transformative power of our sailing team building Corporate Sail-Race Challenges®. From invigorating team dynamics to enhanced communication and camaraderie, our participants consistently highlight the positive impact of these unique sailing experiences. Clients have praised the expertly designed Colgate 26 sailboats and the seamless organization of our programs. Discover firsthand accounts of how our sailing adventures have helped companies or groups like yours.
LAUREN SUPPA
NEW YORK, NY
I heard nothing but rave reviews about it. The execs had such a wonderful time. Thank you so much for everything you did to make this an unforgettable event for the group.
Executive
Sales Assistant
Luxottica
ELLIS ETTER
FT. MYERS BEACH, FL
The trip was fantastic. Our cruise leaders did a great job putting the crews together. Our boat had a great time.
Director
Sales and Marketing
Pink Shell Beach Resort
LIZ NAYLOR
NEW YORK, NY
In our industry, we need people who are bright and talented, with the ability to work well as a team. Your program helps us identify those who exhibit hard work and leadership qualities. We will definitely return next year.
UBS Global
Investment Bank
Campus Recruiter
TERESA DE LA CRUZ
NEW YORK, NY
Everyone extends many thanks for making our summer outing not one to be forgotten! We all had a great time and learned so much from our wonderful boat instructors. The regatta was really a lot of fun! Those who missed the event were really bummed out. A great corporate adventure for all of us!
H.I.G. Capital
Assets
Investment Firm
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