Mike Huffer — Manager of Offshore's British Virgin Islands Branch

Words of wisdom from a long time instructor and employee of Offshore

Recently Mike was asked to talk about his experiences as a youngster, how he views teaching and a lot more.  Mike is shown above with February 2011 graduates of the Fast Track to Cruising course in the BVI – Deb and Bob Johnson, Bryan Ferris and Brian Lipari (left to right). Here are his answers to questions asked by our IT Marketing Manager, Elisa Miller.

Question: How did you first get involved in sailing? 

Mike: I first got involved with sailing at Camp Sea Gull in the Carolinas, on the Neuse River. While relatively well known now, it was a brand new place when I went there. (And, according to Steve Colgate, they are now looking at the possibility of purchasing Colgate 26 sailboats for training!)

Question: What has surprised you most about working with students at Offshore Sailing School?

Mike: There are lots of surprises with students, so "most" is hard to pin down. I guess I would have to say I'm always surprised at how much I learn from them, on many levels.

Question: What do you find most challenging about sailing instruction?

Mike: Bringing all the personalities together while keeping it fun is probably the most challenging aspect of it overall, although each class has it's own unique challenges.

Question: What's the best thing to happen to you since you started working with Offshore Sailing School?

Mike: I'd have to say the best thing was getting the email, while I was in Spain, and not sure where I was going next, asking me if I was interested in a position in Tortola.

(That's Mike on the foredeck of Offshore's Leopard 46, working with students in a Passage Making course in Florida before he headed to the BVI.)

Question: What do you wish other people knew about sailing?

Mike: I think a lot of people "stereotype" sailing as "hard" or "too expensive" or "too time consuming," and lots of other things I haven't thought of. Sailing can be anything a person wants it to be, from intensely competitive to sublimely serene, yet it is always somewhat challenging, whether drifting along in a dinghy in light air or in mid-ocean with a gale raging around you.

Question: What would you tell someone who is thinking about taking a sailing course?

Mike: I guess I would tell someone about to take a course not to rush it, if they are able. If 9 or 10 days is all you have, then by all means do it that way. If you have the time, though, enjoy the experience of learning. Go different places, see different things as you learn. For example, what an experience to learn to sail in New York Harbor, learn to cruise in the Virgin Islands, and learn to be a passagemaker on the way to the Dry Tortugas (all at Offshore of course). That doesn't include all the great places to gain practical experience in between the classes. Sailing can also be an excuse to travel, and in a very unique and rewarding way.

(Here's Mike with one of his students, Brian Lipari, who graduated from the Fast Track to Cruising course in the BVI February 4, 2011.)

Question: What might someone be surprised to know about you?

Mike: I'm full of surprises, many of which are probably best not shared.  I suppose one would be that at heart I'm still a small boat lake sailor. I much prefer a light boat in light air and flat water, trying to ghost along with the breeze I have. Editors note: Before Mike moved to the BVI as manager, we got him to talk about teaching for Offshore. Here he is . . .