National Sailing Hall of Fame Inducts Steve Colgate

Offshore Sailing School Founder Inducted into National Sailing Hall of Fame

October 4, 2015 – Bay Head, NJ – Offshore Sailing School founder and chairman, Steve Colgate, was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame during a week-end celebration at Bay Head Yacht Club in Bay Head, NJ. Only six new inductees were honored this year, bringing the total  to 48 of the sport’s most extraordinary sailors.

Panel Discussions Inspire Youth and Adults

The weekend started with a panel discussion for young sailors at Toms River Yacht Club on Saturday morning, where former inductees Betsy Allison and Peter Harken were joined by 2015 inductees Steve Colgate, Meade Gudgeon, JJ Fetter and Paul Foerster.

With a nor’easter kicking up waves in the harbor and wind howling around the club, the panelists were asked if they would go sailing on “a day like today.” Colgate discussed the need to experience rough weather before you encounter it with no choices, describing the 1979 Fastnet Race where winds reached over 80 knots, and 19 lost their lives. “Racing our 54′ Frers Sleuth, I always got a lot of advice from crew,” Colgate said. “On that race, no one said a word, the buck stopped with me. It was a very tough race but, happily, we won our class and no one was hurt.”

Induction Dinner and Brunch Ceremony Brings Friends and Family Together

Following the Toms River Yacht Club event, the group moved back to Bay Head Yacht Club for another panel discussion, and an impressive dinner in the club’s historic dining room. On Sunday, the Colgates were joined by friends from New York and New Jersey at a lavish brunch, followed by the induction ceremonies. NSHOF president, Gary Jobson, a noted author, sailor and sports commentator, emceed the event and introduced Steve Colgate.

Inductees Tell Their Stories

As noted on the Bay Head Yacht Club website, the Class of 2015 has pioneered advances in boat design and construction, introduced the sport to thousands of new sailors, raced on water and ice and earned a total of 12 Olympic medals.

In accepting his medal, Colgate spoke of the skepticism his family displayed when he told them he was going to start a sailing school. “It took a while, but they finally realized teaching sailing was a “real job’!” he explained.

Colgate competed in the 1968 Olympics in the 5.5 Metre class, has sailed in many TransAtlantic, Fastnet, Sydney-Hobart and other long distance races and one-design class championships as tactician and helmsman; and has a long roster of other sailing achievements. Most impressive are the 51 years he has owned and run Offshore Sailing School with his wife, Doris, introducing more than a 130,000 graduates to the sport and lifestyle of sailing.

Read more about the Ceremonies and Inductees here. 

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