Sailing Team Building Programs
Corporate Sail-Race Challenges®
Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, National Sailing Hall of Fame inductee, and our company founder, Steve Colgate, knows why winning teams work so well together. He and his team of expert coaches have combined their knowledge and experience to develop highly successful sailing team building programs. During our corporate 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.
“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.”
Liz Naylor – UBS Investment Bank
New York, NY
No Barriers, Everyone Is Equal
Anyone of any age, any size and strength can participate in a Corporate Sail-Race Challenge® team building event because sailing can be easily taught, is fun, and not overly challenging. Offshore Sailing School coaches and facilitators 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 and learn equally. Contact us and ask about our corporate team building events today!
Request a Quote
Program Benefits
Maximizing a sailboat’s performance is remarkably similar to maximizing a company’s performance. Here’s how our team building programs can help boost company morale.
- Sailing requires successful interaction between skipper (the person steering the boat) and the crew (who pull on or ease the lines connected to sails, and work together to make the boat go where the skipper wants it to go)
- Sailing facilitates strategic planning and enhances 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 during our corporate team building events. Employees discover how challenging it is to be in the driver’s seat. This all results in renewed respect for one another.
Call 888-454-7015 or 239-454-1700
Email Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Our sailing team building courses can be a half day, full day or multiple days. Programs are tailored to your individual needs. Program prices start at $595 per participant for a half-day event. Please call 888-454-7015 and ask for Beth Oliver to receive a quote for your group event.
Typical Half-Day Schedule (9:00-1:00 or 1:00-5:00)
- Short welcome meeting ashore with program overview and team building concepts related to sailing
- Session on sailing basics and the language of sailing (20 minutes)
- Dockside session to acquaint teams with boats, basic sailing maneuvers, sail handling (20 minutes)
- Hands-on sailing instruction, with strategic and tactical planning aboard (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 minutes)
- Awards presentation (if pre-arranged) – a festive ending for productive results at work
- All participants receive personalized certificate and logbook
Typical Full-Day Schedule (9:00-5:00 with break for lunch)
- Short welcome orientation, program overview and team building concepts related to sailing
- Classroom session on sailing basics (20 minutes)
- Dockside session to acquaint teams with boats, basic sailing maneuvers, sail handling (20 minutes)
- On-water hands-on instruction (2 hours)
- Lunch break ashore (1 hour)
- Sailing continues with exercises focusing on strategic and tactical planning (1 hour)
- Multiple races in fun atmosphere challenge and test team interaction (2-1/2 hours)
- Debrief ashore after all boats return to dock (30 minutes)
- Awards presentation (if pre-arranged) – a festive ending for productive results at work
- All participants receive personalized certificate, logbook, and Gift Certificates to use toward future sailing certification courses with Offshore Sailing School
Additional Services also quoted on request if program booked at least two months in advance
- Hats, team t-shirts or polo shirts
- Sailing gloves
- Trophies or awards
- Corporate or group banners to display on each boat
- Photographer, videographer
- Accommodations ashore
- Meals and/or snacks
- Independent facilitators
- Tents and other services
Corporate Sail-Race Challenges® are held aboard fleets of Colgate 26 sailboats, designed by Steve Colgate and renowned naval architect Jim Taylor. Features of these fast, fun sailboats include a comfortable, large cockpit that can accommodate five adult participants, a separate station for the coach within easy reach of all controls, unsinkable flotation, fixed rails to lean against when the boat heels, and sophistication that makes moving up to larger boats easy. Colgate 26 fleets for groups of 8-20 are available at most Offshore Sailing School locations for team building programs.
“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.”
Lauren Suppa – Executive Sales Assistant
Luxottica
New York, NY
“We all had a GREAT time. The instructors were patient, in some cases “very” patient and very informative. The boats were great, top notch equipment. It’s obvious to us all why you’re the #1 sailing school. It was an experience we will all be talking about for years to come. Thank you for a perfect afternoon. The sailing was good for us all.”
Ellis Etter – Director of Sales and Marketing
Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina
Ft. Myers Beach, FL
“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.”
Liz Naylor – Campus Recruiter
UBS Investment Bank
New York, NY
“Everyone from H.I.G. Capital 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. Thank you again for making this a great corporate adventure for all of us!”
Teresa Delacruz
H.I.G. Capital
New York, NY
