Louise Mackay grew up in the Lake District of Inverness, Scotland. She taught sailing at the Gordonstoun International Summer School on the North and West Coasts of Scotland.

In 1994, Louise went to London University to study Asian and African geography teaching sailing during the summers at her old school in Scotland. In 1996, she took a year off and went to Malaysia, working for Outward Bound on pull boats.

After graduating university in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts, she went to the United Kingdom Sailing Academy on the Isle of Wight to gain the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean with Commercial Endorsement certificate. At that point she already had 9,000 miles under her boat shoes and knew that sailing and boating would be her career.

Since then she has worked on a variety of boats, which include sailing yachts from 35’ to 112’ and a 355’ motor yacht. She has operated boats in Northern Europe, Middle and Western Mediterranean, Newfoundland, East and West Coast United States, Western Mexico, Caribbean, Windward and Leeward Islands, and participated in six trans-Atlantic crossings. Louise is fluent in French and Spanish. Louise further added to her qualifications achieving the MCA/STCW Master 3000 Ton License, restricted to yachts. With over 73,000 miles logged, 31 year old Louise joined Colgate Schools as a multi-level instructor. She holds US SAILING Keelboat, Cruising, Coastal Navigation and US POWERBOAT Instructor certification.

Kurt Martin is a certified US POWERBOAT Instructor. A native of Connecticut’s Long Island Sound area, Kurt has more than 20 years of diverse experience in the sailing industry ranging from sailmaking and sailing instruction to racing. His racing expertise stems from his years as a sailmaker at Grand Prix (America’s Cup level) lofts on Long Island Sound and in Annapolis. As a sailmaker in these world-renowned, highly competitive regions, Kurt took the opportunity to hone his racing skills on a variety of boats, from the precision teamwork necessary on large yachts, to the fast-paced finesse required in one-design dinghy sailing. A US SAILING certified instructor, and licensed US Coast Guard Captain, Kurt has been involved in teaching and sharing his love of sailing and boating with others throughout his career.

Cliff Bare began sailing in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he attended high school. After a stint in the US Air Force, he decided Michigan winters no longer suited his sailing lifestyle, so he moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1975.

While attending college at the University of South Florida, Cliff sailed on university-owned boats and raced on a Cal 31. He was very involved with the Sailing Club and eventually became director of the Watercraft Program. While at USF, Cliff earned his USCG Master’s License, American Red Cross Instructor Trainer certification, and US SAILING Level 1 Sailing Instructor certification.

Cliff founded the annual Bayboro Windship Regatta, hosted 2 International Yacht Symposiums, and ran 5 flotilla sailing trips to the Bahamas while working for the university. A regular racer in the St. Pete area, Cliff joined the US Naval Reserve in 1986, serving as a Quartermaster, and became part of the US Coast Guard Reserve, where he is still active. Joining The Moorings in 1993, Cliff served as a charter boat captain, and came to work full time for Offshore in 1994. He is certified through the Coastal Navigation Instructor level and is a certified US POWERBOAT Instructor. He now serves as campus manager at the St. Petersburg, FL campus.

Don Czech is a certified US POWERBOAT instructor. Don began his career sailing Sabots, Rebels, Lightnings and numerous other non -descript homemade sailing craft. Since his home was in Kansas City, the majority of his sailing was lake and river oriented.

Don’s boating career expanded when he joined the US Navy where he qualified as Helmsman on Essex Class aircraft carriers, and various utility boats that the Navy operates. He further served in Vietnam as a PBR captain.

He continued his sailing throughout his service competing in the All Navy Championships, and several Lightning national events.

Don has cruised and raced all along the west coast of the United States and traveled extensively on the East Coast performing numerous yacht deliveries.

His racing experience encompasses club racing in San Diego, PHRF Spinnaker A Fleet. Several offshore races include the Newport to Ensanada and San Diego to Ensanada (Finished 3rd overall and 2nd in Class in 1986). Has crewed on the 12M America II.

Don holds a 100GT Masters License, US Sailing at three levels: Basic Keelboat, Cruising and Costal Navigation, additionally US POWERBOAT Levels I & II. Don currently teaches at Offshore Sailing School on beautiful Captiva Island.