Longshore Sailing School

The Away Team is Longshore Sailing School's hand-picked gang of tropical vacation specialists. They make sure you get what you came for. You might think of them as 'personal trainers' for your vacation.

All are knowledgeable, interesting, fun to hang out with; and they are there to show you all the cool things the British Virgin Islands have to offer. They know all the options and secret spots to explore.

This is no bus tour or boring week in a beach chair. Every day is different, with a choice of adventures, big and small. Do only wayou want...or nothing at all. It's your trip.

John is Longshore’s team leader, squandered a perfectly good Ivy League degree to avoid commuting. He was the Sailing Master of the Bitter End Yacht Club when it first opened. He still brags that he never once wore shoes back then.

Before that, he was a charter boat captain in St. Maarten. He has been back to the British Virgin Islands many dozens of times – and we do mean many. He is practically West Indian.

JK (nobody calls him John) has authored a total of 19 sailing books. He literally "wrote the book" on sailing at the Bitter End Yacht Club -- 8 books, to be precise. They are the student manuals used to this day at The Bitter End Sailing School.

Alicia is the Away Team’s popular California ringer, an 8-year veteran of Longshore’s Caribbean Sailing Weeks. She is the triple threat specialist in snorkeling, hiking and kayaking, and just happens to be a certified sailing instructor.

Just for kicks, she single-handedly blazed a new hiking trail at the Bitter End a few years ago. They named it Alicia’s Trail. Look for the signs.

In real life she is in charge of 300 miles of trails in Orange County and, in her spare time, she leads scuba trips all over the Pacific and the Caribbean. Alicia, a scuba pro for most of her life, is also an award-winning underwater photographer. Some think she has gills.

When you are snorkeling and wondering what the name is of some weird fish, or something else you spotted underwater, ask Alicia. She’s the one with the yellow swim fins (probably nearby, making friends with a sea turtle or something).

Don is the General Manager of Greenwich Community Sailing, Longshore’s satellite in Old Greenwich, CT. At GCS Don commands a staff of 35 and a fleet of 70 vessels and a Junior Program of over 700 kids. Don has been a key player there for 10 years.

After 4 years on the Away Team, Don knows his way around the BVI. His keen interest as a history buff makes him the “go to” guy for arcane information like how the Caribbean pirates lived and operated. He has a strong sailing and racing background in all types of boats, big and small, and specializes in advanced sailing instruction.

Kyle is the latest addition to the storied Away Team. Kyle is a Senior Manager at Longshore's flagship location in Westport, CT.

She is a US SAILING certified Sailing Instructor and also happens to be an accomplished singer. Hand her a microphone some evening -- you'll see. At Longshore, she commands a staff of 40 and a fleet over 100 vessels. An outdoorsy type, and a nature lover, Kyle also enjoys hiking, camping, kayking and rock climbing.

Matt (below right, with Alicia) is Longshore’s Business Manager and also happens to be a certified sailing instructor and a scuba diver. To be on the Away Team one must wear many hats!

This is Matt’s second trip with the Away Team. He is well qualified, having visited nearly every Caribbean island (50 and counting) since childhood. He handles all reservations and the back office stuff so that everything runs smoothly.

If you want to capture Matt’s attention, talk to him about fishing – deep sea or close to shore. Doesn’t matter. He must have some Ernest Hemingway in his blood.