Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

Offshore Sailing School offers free “Sail in May” lessons for first responders in Lee County, Fla.

by Beth Oliver 12 May 2020 05:25 PDT
Offshore Sailing School Offers free `Sail in May` lessons © Beth Oliver

Offshore Sailing School's founder and owners Steve and Doris Colgate, are offering free 2-hour sailing lessons for first responder/frontline healthcare workers and their families of up to five on Wednesdays in May from the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina on Fort Myers Beach, Fla.

"We appreciate everything our selfless and compassionate frontline workers have done and continue to do to keep us safe in these most challenging times. They deserve our gratitude. Sailing with one's family offers fun and freedom on our beautiful waters, where the only things you're likely to encounter are birds, dolphins, manatees and other marine life while under the quiet power of wind," said Offshore Sailing School's President and CEO, Doris Colgate.

Free sailing lessons ($300 value for two students in a 2-hour lesson) are limited and require an advance reservation by calling Cheryl Jones at 239-985-7530. The first responder/frontline healthcare worker will need to provide a copy of their employer ID at time of booking and everyone will need to sign a Waiver before boarding the Colgate 26 sailboat. Children age 7 and up are invited to enjoy the lesson with their parents in a private group of up to five. Available dates are Wednesday, May 13, 20 and 27, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., or 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. at the Pink Shell Beach Resort marina located directly across from the resort entrance at 275 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. The instructor and participants are required to wear facemasks during the lesson.

The company is slowly resuming its comprehensive sailing and powerboating courses beginning Monday, May 11 at the Pink Shell Beach Resort on Ft. Myers Beach (which reopens May 15), and as-needed at the marinas at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral, and the Downtown Hampton Inn & Suites, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Southwest Florida residents will receive special loyalty pricing by calling 239-454-1700. The company has always only taught a maximum of four students or a family of five together aboard its fleet of Colgate 26 sailboats, and 40'-50' cruising yachts, sailing and power catamarans. Offshore Sailing School's US Sailing-certified instructors will follow all CDC guidelines and its classroom and fleet of boats will continue to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before each use.

Steve and Doris Colgate relocated their company's headquarters to South Fort Myers from New York in 1975 and now operate four sailing school locations on Florida's Gulf Coast and two more in the British Virgin Islands. Offshore Sailing School has taught more than 150,000 adults and families how to sail and powerboat safely and competently for the past 56 years. Offshore Sailing School was founded by Olympic and America's Cup sailor Steve Colgate in 1964. Steve was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2015. Steve and his wife Doris Colgate have written many books on sailing and are considered the preeminent authorities on sailing education. The Colgates are writing their memoires to be published in 2021.

Visit www.OffshoreSailing.com for information.

Related Articles

Colgate 26 sailboats announce new builder
Offshore Sailing School forges agreement with Tartan Yachts Steve Colgate, founder and Chairman of Offshore Sailing School, is pleased to announce that, after a long search for a new builder for the popular Colgate 26 keelboat, Tartan Yachts of Painesville, Ohio has been selected. Posted on 18 Jun
Discover sailing on the Summer Sailstice
$25 per person sailing lessons on June 22 June 22, 2024, brings the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. This is when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the sun. Posted on 22 May
Offshore Sailing School set for Fort Myers Beach
Pleased to announce sailing lessons and courses will resume, starting May 2, 2024 Offshore Sailing School President and CEO, Doris Colgate, is pleased to announce sailing lessons and courses will resume at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Posted on 8 Apr
Offshore Sailing School kicks off 60th celebration
New location, new courses in this anniversary year Offshore Sailing School President and CEO, Doris Colgate, announced several major initiatives to kick off a year-long celebration of the company's 60th Anniversary. Posted on 10 Oct 2023
Offshore Sailing School announces promotion
Key financial expert moves to executive leadership position Offshore Sailing School's current Controller, Dana Matthews, assumed the role and responsibilities of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Posted on 21 Jul 2023
Offshore Sailing School returns to Captiva Island
The company's popular resort-based sailing courses will start March 1 Offshore Sailing School President and CEO, Doris Colgate, announced today that the company's popular resort-based sailing courses will start March 1, 2023, at Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva Island, Florida. Posted on 31 Jan 2023
Offshore Sailing School relocates headquarters
The company's head office in South Fort Myers was destroyed during Hurricane Ian Offshore Sailing School President and CEO, Doris Colgate, reported that the company's head office in South Fort Myers, Fla, for the past 35 years was destroyed during Hurricane Ian, receiving 6' of storm surge on September 28-29, 2022. Posted on 3 Nov 2022
'Big Fat Greek Adventure' was spectacular
Report from a flotilla vacation that made lifetime memories I had the amazing opportunity to join the Colgate Sailing Adventures® flotilla vacation in the Greek Islands in June 2021. An unexpected, last-minute cancellation on this sold-out trip brought about my good fortune. Posted on 14 Aug 2021
Offshore Sailing School poised for growth
With management promotions and staff additions Offshore Sailing School President and CEO Doris Colgate announced the promotions of Director of Marketing Beth Oliver to Vice President, Director of Sales & Marketing, and Chief Operations Manager Bryce Jackson to Vice President, Director of Operations. Posted on 10 Jul 2021
Sailors delight in visiting the BVIs again
Ferry transportation resumes for Road Town Jetty on Tortola Sailors delight in the gracious hospitality of the people of the Caribbean Islands, and are loving the uncrowded, approved mooring fields and anchorages. Posted on 17 Apr 2021
Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTERTrinidad and Tobago - Sail Service Stay