Despite the lack of wind and cooler temperatures both in the air and water, Team Paradise delivered on a safe and fun-filled day, both on land and on the water. While waiting for the wind to pick up, Coach Ella and Coach Justine had the Next Level sailors teach the SYSTEM kids about the Thin Ice Challenge while the volunteers prepared and launched the sailboats. Eventually, we towed out behind our Boston Whaler and our propeller-less safety boat….
Today, we had six veterans out on the water, sailing in two boats with Coach Ella and me.
The wind forecast called for northeasterly winds of 10 to 15 knots. We started the session by sailing on a long port tack towards the west point of Key Biscayne, then turned north towards downtown.
As it turned out, we ended up sailing directly underneath the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge. We made it all the way to Brickell without taking a single tack! I’m not a golfer, but this is precisely what a hole-in-one feels like when you’re sailing.
Our Thursday Sailing program offers a vital therapeutic experience for our veterans and first responders. The proverb, "You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails," could not be truer. For our participants, the destination matters, but the journey—finding a smooth, soothing course—matters just as much…..
Our scenic float plan included a long port tack towards Stiltsville, then Nixon’s Beach and Hurricane Harbor. On our way back, we sailed past Nixon’s Helicopter platform and other landmarks, such as the home featured in the movie Scarface and the Key Biscayne West Point. The sail home across the Bay was beautiful. We docked as scheduled at 2 PM. We continued our event on the second-floor breezeway of the US Sailing Center with some healthy snacks and refreshments. Time flies when having fun!
Despite the lack of wind and cooler temperatures both in the air and water, Team Paradise delivered on a safe and fun-filled day, both on land and on the water. While waiting for the wind to pick up, Coach Ella and Coach Justine had the Next Level sailors teach the SYSTEM kids about the Thin Ice Challenge while the volunteers prepared and launched the sailboats. Eventually, we towed out behind our Boston Whaler and our propeller-less safety boat….
The true honor Sportsmanship Award belongs to those who embody its spirit. It is incredibly fitting that this year’s recipient is someone who finds genuine joy in helping a competitor succeed. That selfless perspective—having the ability to be happy for someone else—is the very definition of a champion. There were ten sailors nominated for the sportsmanship award. It’s a relatively low number, but much of that had to do with no wind and no racing for the first couple of days. Luckily, the wind picked up for the final two days.
Today, we had six veterans out on the water, sailing in two boats with Coach Ella and me.
The wind forecast called for northeasterly winds of 10 to 15 knots. We started the session by sailing on a long port tack towards the west point of Key Biscayne, then turned north towards downtown.
As it turned out, we ended up sailing directly underneath the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge. We made it all the way to Brickell without taking a single tack! I’m not a golfer, but this is precisely what a hole-in-one feels like when you’re sailing.
Our Thursday Sailing program offers a vital therapeutic experience for our veterans and first responders. The proverb, "You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails," could not be truer. For our participants, the destination matters, but the journey—finding a smooth, soothing course—matters just as much…..
Our scenic float plan included a long port tack towards Stiltsville, then Nixon’s Beach and Hurricane Harbor. On our way back, we sailed past Nixon’s Helicopter platform and other landmarks, such as the home featured in the movie Scarface and the Key Biscayne West Point. The sail home across the Bay was beautiful. We docked as scheduled at 2 PM. We continued our event on the second-floor breezeway of the US Sailing Center with some healthy snacks and refreshments. Time flies when having fun!
Veterans Sailing is back, and the enthusiasm is infectious! After a long stretch, we're finally seeing a spark of excitement that hasn't been this bright since before COVID.
We originally had six veterans signed up for this week's outing, planning to use two boats. As it turned out, we had a perfect four-person crew make it out onto the water in one boat, and what a session it was!
A great big thank you to our incredible volunteers and staff members for their dedication in making this event a success. Last but not least, a heartfelt thank you to the event planners and NexPhase for choosing Miami and Team Paradise to bring their vision of an exciting team-building event to life.
The sailing community in Miami is a family, and we've all been deeply affected by the tragic accident that occurred during the summer camp near the Miami Yacht Club. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences go out to all the families and individuals impacted by this devastating event. In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together and reflect on what we can do to ensure the safety of everyone on the water. This blog serves as our contribution….
Week two of SummerCamp was a huge success, packed with just as much adventure as the first! Our mission was to provide a safe, fun, and educational experience, and that's exactly what we did.
For most of our campers, it was their very first time exploring the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay. To ensure everyone felt comfortable and secure, we kept our adventures close to shore and away from heavy boat traffic. Our special propeller-less safety boat, equipped with a big awning, was a huge hit, providing a cool and shaded spot to relax and take in the sights….
Team Paradise is thrilled to be delivering the ultimate Sailing Summer Camp, on behalf of the US Sailing Center Miami (USSC)! Get ready, because starting July 21st, we're welcoming kids from twelve different parks across the City of Miami. For the next couple of weeks, each day will bring new groups of excited campers from selected city parks. By the time it's all said and done, we'll have had the pleasure of hosting approximately 150 young sailors as they discover the thrill of being out on the water!
Mistakes are part of the learning process. They’re not only allowed—they’re expected. As long as no one gets hurt and no serious harm is done, an occasional misstep is okay. What matters most is that we don’t keep repeating the same ones.
Please keep reading to refresh or learn a few things that are easy to forget when we’re caught up in the action. In sailing, and in life, it’s simple to lose sight of what truly matters.
Today marked the grand finale of Season 9—Session 8—and what a way to close out the season! We welcomed 25 enthusiastic kids, supported by nine dedicated coaches, for one last unforgettable day on the water. With rain and thunderstorms in the forecast, we made the smart call to sail early, giving us plenty of time to wrap up on shore and prepare for our much-anticipated closing ceremony.
Today was ideal for our group—the forecast called for south winds, 5 to 10 knots with a light chop. Our coaching staff, Ella, Marite, Justine, David, and Mo, made everything a breeze. Congratulations to Ella for becoming an L-3 certified youth coach. That’s what’s needed to run the show. Ella is adjusting quickly! Coach David noticed and commented as I passed the clipboard to Ella. My act is a milestone in our evolution. We are what our name says, we are….
Our harbor is under remodeling. A massive barge with a gigantic crane partially blocks the entrance, and all the docks are being replaced. What used to be our welcoming waterfront is now a jagged edge of rocks and murky water. Our facility is bustling with activity, but without a control tower or central coordinator, boats come and go, and everyone is doing their best to stay out of each other’s way. The wind was gusting hard out of the southeast at about 20 knots…
Corporate Regatta: Team Building on Biscayne Bay with Fitch Solutions
Team Paradise hosted an unforgettable corporate team-building event for Fitch Solutions on Biscayne Bay. Five teams competed in a high-energy regatta, guided by professional sailors. Team Gary dominated the course with a clean hat trick—three wins in a row. From strategic teamwork on the water to a relaxed debrief at Coral Reef Yacht Club, this regatta proved that leadership and collaboration thrive best when the sails are up.
