'Doing' the Charleston - OnDeck Group launch in America

by J2 Communcations on 28 Apr 2010 The Ondeck Group, one of the fastest growing sailing, racing and sea school companies in the UK, Europe and Caribbean has announced the arrival of their highly respected and recognised brand in mainland America. The opening of a new Ondeck base in Charleston, South Carolina marks the first stop in the U.S. and forms the next step in a long-term development plan.

Ondeck has formed a joint venture with the principal of Ocean Sailing Academy, Ned Goss and J. Richard Speer, a Charleston investor and avid sailor, to form Ondeck Charleston.

The enterprise will meld the considerable expertise, solid reputation and successful history of Ocean Sailing Academy with the Ondeck brand, ultimately bringing the full Ondeck compliment of sailing-based services and a fleet of racing sailboats to the area.

Chairman, Peter Anthony comments: “This is a hugely exciting development for Ondeck and its clients. It provides us the opportunity to establish an immediate presence in a prime sailing venue like Charleston, while offering Ondeck concepts to the North American market, including a full range of Caribbean and UK based regattas and transatlantic crossings.”

Olympic-class sailor, current owner of Ocean Sailing Academy and Ondeck Charleston’s Vice President, Ned Goss is: “Excited about joining forces with Ondeck in the Americas as this collaboration allows us to grow the organisation, refine our successful training programs and expand the scope of our services.”

UK Managing Director, Mike Williams agrees: “Charleston’s rich maritime heritage and beautiful sailing waters will allow us to offer even more choice to our current and future client base.”

“We’ve built up a trusted reputation offering innovative, accessible and affordable sailing and delivering the best possible regattas and training in the business. Our new base in Charleston will enhance this reputation.”

Ondeck currently have thriving offices in other parts of the world: the Caribbean (Falmouth, Antigua and St Thomas, USVI), Europe (Vilamoura, Portugal) and the Solent, UK (Gosport and Cowes).

The Charleston office will be their first base in the United States and operations will be run from Ocean Sailing Academy’s base for the past 12 years at the Marina, Patriots Point, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.