Offshore Sailing School 50th Anniversary

FORT MYERS, FL--(Marketwired - Jan 28, 2014) - Offshore Sailing School Chairman Steve Colgate announced a yearlong celebration commemorating the 50-year-old sailing school.

Headquartered in Fort Myers, Fla., with eight sailing vacation and commuter locations, the school has taught more than 130,000 adults and their families to sail or hone their sailing skills since Colgate founded it in 1964.

"It is hard to believe that 50 years have passed since I started Offshore Sailing School at a cocktail party in New York City with a guy who owned a cruising boat," states Colgate. "It has been an incredibly rewarding journey."

A sailor since 9, Colgate's racing career includes America's Cup Trials, the Olympics, TransAtlantic and Fastnet Races as well as class championships and international distance races on maxi-ocean racers. With his wife, Doris, they enjoyed cruising the world aboard their 54-foot ocean racer, Sleuth.

The Colgates actively participate on national boards and committees, including US Sailing, Boat U.S. and Sail America. Doris founded the National Women's Sailing Association in 1990. 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 they received US Sailing's Timothea Larr Trophy in recognition of outstanding leadership and excellence in sailing education. Doris was awarded the Betty Cook Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award from Boating magazine and the Leadership in Women's Sailing Award from Boat U.S. and the National Women's Sailing Association. The Colgates received the Junonia Award from The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, for "their tremendous commitment and dedication to the Lee County (Florida) tourism industry." Last year, the Colgates were presented with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's National Chairman's Citation for their support of the annual Leukemia Cup Regatta, which now totals more than $100,000 in donations from a percentage of sailing school course tuitions over the past four years.

The sailing school has planned a year of activities, special events and promotions which began with a contest open to everyone who has had an on-water experience with Offshore Sailing School.

"We invite anyone who has taken a sailing lesson or sailing activity in the past 50 years to share their experiences and win fantastic prizes," said Doris Colgate, president and CEO.

"The contest runs through Sept. 1, 2014 and entries may be any form of artistic expression depicting how sailing has impacted their lives," added Doris. "All 2014 graduates of Offshore Sailing School certification courses will receive a limited-edition Offshore Sailing School 50th anniversary cap." Details at www.offshoresailing.com.

The contest's grand prize is a "priceless" private dinner with the Colgates at the exclusive New York Yacht Club in New York City. The prize package for two also includes overnight accommodations at the yacht club, a $500 American Express gift card plus time with the Colgates to share stories of their extraordinary sailing adventures.

Offshore Sailing School packages its courses with accommodations at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach and the Hampton Inn & Suites in St. Petersburg, Fla., and The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, Md. Offshore offers sailing and cruising courses in the British Virgin Islands, partnering with The Moorings. Sailing courses and a sailing club are available at commuter locations at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, N.J., as well as Chelsea Piers at 23rd Street and Pier 25 in Tribeca in New York City.

Visit www.offshoresailing.com or call 888-454-7015.