His maternal grandfather, Alfred Burgoine, was a boat designer who built one of Queen Victoria’s Royal Barges and a motor launch that held the world water speed record.

He joined Kingston Rowing Club where his brothers Tom and Dick Offer were also members.

They won the Gentlemen's Double Sculls at the Skiff Championships Regatta in 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933 and 1935.

In 1936 the Offer brothers won Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta.

In spite of the difficulties in maintaining training during the six-week sea voyage to Australia they won the silver medal in the double sculls event.