| g to sail is a very difficult challenge for most. The | | | | dolphins playing in front of your boat. Students |
| Fort Myers Offshore Sailing School offers | | | | take turns steering and overseeing the boat. |
| outstanding five-day Learn to Sail courses that | | | | Instructors show students the basics as well as |
| integrate classroom study and physical, hands-on | | | | important tips such as how to read the boat and |
| training. At the end of the Florida sailing schools | | | | wind, what to do if you find yourself grounded, |
| course, students who pass receive a US Sailing | | | | basic navigation and right-of-way rules and issues. |
| certification. There is a maximum of 4 students | | | | Students learn how to maneuver the boat more |
| to a class, although there may be less. | | | | instinctively and practice man-overboard drills. The |
| The Offshore Sailing School was founded by | | | | sailing classes conclude with free-sailing. The |
| former Olympic competitor and America’s | | | | free sail is the graduation. After a written |
| Cup sailor, Steve Colgate. Colgate’s wife, | | | | test, students sail the boat without the instructor |
| Doris Colgate, opened the Florida sailing schools | | | | onboard. Find several other Florida sailing schools. |
| women-only courses. Today, the school has 11 | | | | Check out the different locations on the websites. |
| Florida sailing schools which include some | | | | Rent some affordable Florida vacation rentals in |
| women-only and coed. Students of the course | | | | whatever area you decide to go for. |
| are housed at the Pink Shell Beach Resort on San | | | | Offshore Sailing School |
| Carlos Bay. The sailing classes use a training boat | | | | 800-221-4326 |
| that was designed by Colgate, which is nearly | | | | Lanier Sailing Academy |
| unsinkable. The hull’s foam filled | | | | J World School |
| compartments help keep the boat afloat. By the | | | | 360 Yachting |
| second day of the sailing classes, you already | | | | 866-561-2175 |
| become way more familiar with lingo and | | | | Rhumbline Sailing School |
| acronyms used by professionals. | | | | Castle Harbor Sailing School |
| During the physical sailing practice, don’t be | | | | Coconut Grove Sailing Club |
| surprised to spot green sea turtles or bottlenose | | | | 305-444-4571cgsc. |