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GENERAL CONTACT:
Melissa Eisberg
Redpoint Marketing PR, Inc.
212-229-0119
eisberg@redpointpr.com
NEW TWO-DAY SAILING PROGRAMS FOR TIME-CHALLENGED ADVENTURERS
FORT MYERS, FL - (September 2009) – It is well known in the sailing industry that many people dream of going sailing but for a lot of reasons keep putting it off. One of the major reasons for this is lack of time according to past studies done by Offshore Sailing School, the 46-year old leader in experiential sailing learning vacations.
To make it easier to “test the waters” says Offshore’s founder, Steve Colgate, the school recently started two new innovative programs that teach basic sailing or basic cruising skills. “These are fun and rewarding getaways that will turn you on to sailing,” explains Colgate, who did his first TransAtlantic Race – from Cuba to Spain – when he was just 19 years old.
The two-day Learn to Sail Getaway is for those who want to try sailing or have some experience but not enough to feel comfortable without a more experienced sailor aboard. Taught on award-winning Colgate 26 sailboats, this hands-on program encourages everyone to steer, trim sails, and work together as a crew. “It’s totally amazing to feel the boat slice through water with wind power alone and know it’s you that’s making it happen,” says Colgate.
For this new program, participants may pick any two day of the week at two southwest Florida locations. No prior experience is required and training is covered in two four-hour sessions, leaving a half-day free to enjoy other activities at the resort. The textbook Colgate’s Basic Sailing Theory is included. Cost is $295 per person, plus accommodations. A typical two-day/two-night package including the instruction starts at $450 per person double occupancy. This program is offered at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, and Pink Shell Beach Resort and Spa on Ft. Myers Beach.
The Weekend Learn to Cruise Adventure is taught in 14 hours any weekend aboard a state-of-the-art Hunter 45 at the school’s premier destination, South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, Florida. “This weekend adventure is designed to introduce small boat sailors to the joys of going cruising, while giving them real value in the skills they learn,” states Colgate. Offered at $595 per person with a 10% discount for two or more signing up together, participants are required to have some basic sailing knowledge on smaller boats. A complete package with instruction starts at $750 per person double occupancy. The course includes the textbook Steve Colgate on Cruising. Certificates are awarded after the last sail in both programs.
Offshore Sailing School was founded in 1964 by Steve Colgate in New York City. The school has three locations in Florida, plus the British Virgin Islands, St. Michaels, Maryland and New York and New Jersey, and covers instruction from Learn to Sail through Ocean Passage Making. “We are passionate about teaching sailing and forever grateful to the more than 100,000 graduates who chose Offshore Sailing School as their path to a lifelong adventure on the water,” writes Steve. Together with his partner and wife, Doris, the Colgates have won many awards for their impact on bringing people to the sailing lifestyle.
Certification courses range from three-day Learn to Sail programs to 10 day Fast Track to Offshore Passage Making courses. All core Offshore Sailing School courses are provided to certify students to sail boats of various sizes with confidence and control. Discover Sailing and Discover Cruising participants are encouraged to continue on and achieve certification.
For more information on Discover Sailing or the Discover Cruising program, or the school’s core certification courses, call 888-454-7015 or email Sail@OffshoreSailing.com.
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