Final Report
Safe and Fun
Team Paradise appreciates the confidence and trust the US Sailing Center has in our ability to safely conduct Summer Camp Experiences for kids from ten different City of Miami parks. Each day brought a new group of campers. The challenges were many: weather, wind, thunderstorms, lightning, current, and Sargassum, just to name a few.
To do well, it takes team members who will engage and inspire. Most of our volunteers have been sailing with us for five years or more. Another four of our volunteers were new to our program. Five of us are US Sailing certified coaches. We also had some very strong youth sailors who compete internationally, plus one sailor who competed in the US Olympic Trials in the 470 class for the 2024 Games. Their enthusiasm made a huge impact on the campers. We were amazed at how well they sailed!
Our boats and equipment also make a difference. The propellerless Castoldi safety boat holds 12 passengers and is powered by a diesel jet engine with a water jet drive. Our RS Venture is like a flatbed truck (almost). It easily fits 4-6 campers, plus a good skipper and a crew member who can operate the jib. It’s equipped with a trapeze, which adds another dimension.
In general, our float plans were similar each day. We anchored our safety boat near shore, often close to an anchored vessel, as protection from powerboat traffic. For peace of mind, we anchored in 4 to 5 feet of water to avoid stepping on the bay's sharp limestone and broken shell seabed.
Be sure to check out our Summer Camp 2026 blog
Big THANK YOU to USSC executive director Pat Downey for giving us access to the USSC RIB.
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“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity our children had to experience sailing in their own city, at such an amazing place, with the best team anyone could ask for.
This program has been one of the highlights of their summer and has created memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful and unforgettable experience. We truly appreciate all the dedication, care, and enthusiasm that made it so special for our children.”
Warm regards,
Martha Garcia Gardinali
Peacock Park
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Staff: Ella Simmonds, Magnus Liljedahl, Mateo Coates, Clara Neumann, Adrian Romano, and Ale Romano.
Today's weather conditions: West winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southwest early this afternoon, increasing to around 10 knots late. Light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms early this morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms late this morning. Showers and numerous thunderstorms this afternoon. Next low tide: 3:28 PM
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Staff: Ella Simmons, Magnus Liljedahl, Mateo Coates, Clara Neumann, Adrian Romano, Ale Romano, and Medine Squar
Today’s weather conditions: Winds: S-SW to W-SW 7 to 14 knots. Bay Waters: Light chop to smooth conditions, becoming slightly more active near standard afternoon thermal shifts. Afternoon highs near 90°F to 92°F. Chance of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, mainly during the late morning and afternoon hours
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Staff: Ella Simmons, Magnus Liljedahl, Mateo Coates, Clara Neumann, Adrian Romano, Ale Romano, and Medine Squar
Today's weather conditions: Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots, with gusts up to 20 knots this afternoon. A moderate chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms late this morning and afternoon. High tide at 10:03 AM, Low tide at 4:47 PM
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Staff: Ella Simmons, Magnus Liljedahl, Mateo Coates, Clara Neumann, Adrian Romano, Ale Romano, and Medine Squar
Today's weather conditions: small craft should exercise caution. Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots becoming S 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots this afternoon. A moderate chop. Low tide at 5:24 PM.
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Staff: Ella Simmons, Magnus Liljedahl, Tristan Lopez, Mateo Coates, Clara Neumann, Adrian Romano, Ale Romano, and Medine Squar
Today's weather conditions: West winds around 5 knots, becoming S 10 to 15 knots this afternoon. A moderate chop, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms early this afternoon. A chance of showers and thunderstorms late. High tide at 11:26 AM, low tide at 6:01 PM.
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Staff: Ella Simmons, Magnus Liljedahl, Tristan Lopez, Adrian Romano, Ale Romano, Medine Squar, Maximilian Seuss, Isabel Mitjans.
Today's weather: South winds 5 to 10 knots, light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Low tide at 7:44 AM; high tide at 1:35 PM
Float Plan: sail out between the municipal mooring fields. Then beam-reach back and forth, stay together, and return to the anchored safety boat. Stay at home the short way, avoiding island “A”
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Staff: Ella Simmons, Magnus Liljedahl, Tristan Lopez, Adrian Romano, Ale Romano, Medine Squar, Maximilian Seuss, Isabel Mitjans, and Erik DeMario
Today's weather: South wind around 5 knots. Smooth. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms late this morning. Showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon.
Float plan: unless the breeze picks up, toe out between the municipal mooring fields. Sail back and forth on a beam reach, average point of sail. Stay together for our famous lineup camera shot. Then the safety boat will peel off and anchor near yesterday's location. Coachella will stay with the sailors. Consult with Pat/Susan on incoming storms.
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Staff: Ella Simmons, Magnus Liljedahl, Tristan Lopez, Adrian Romano, Ale Romano, Medine Squar, Maximilian Seuss, Isabel Mitjans, and Erik DeMario
Today's weather: East winds 5 to 10 knots. Light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low tide at 9:23 AM; High tide at 3:19 PM
Float plan: Similar to yesterday’s float plan. Expect to get caught in a fast-moving rainstorm. If we detect lightning, head back to the shore as soon as possible. Sargassum may have returned; if so, the safety boat will anchor up near shore. Sail or tow out between the municipal mooring fields. Sailed back and forth on the beam reach, average point of sail. Stay closer to the shore than yesterday. If possible, do our famous lineup camera shot with or without the safety boat. Coach Ella will always stay with the sailors.
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Staff: Ella Simmons, Magnus Liljedahl, Tristan Lopez, Adrian Romano, Ale Romano, Medine Squar, Maximilian Seuss, Isabel Mitjans, and Erik DeMario
Today's weather: East wind 10 to 15 knots. A moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Low tide: 10:24 AM, High tide: 4:22 PM
Float plan: today looks wet and stormy. Depending on how many campers and counselors show up, we might want to leave the sailboats on shore and dash out with the safety boat and the USSC RIB. Perhaps explore islands 305 and 306. We could always take the RS Ventures out and stay really close; if so, let's not bring the trapeze harnesses.
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Staff: Ella Simmons, Magnus Liljedahl, Moises Alfonso, Joe Chin, Maximilian Seuss, Isabel Mitjans, and Erik DeMario
Today's weather: east winds 5 to 10 knots, a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low tide: 11:30 AM, High tide: 5:31 PM
Float plan A: looks like a lot less wind out of the east than previously forecasted; let's use 305 and 306 as our base and switch crew until everyone has sailed. Wet shoes are mandatory.
Plan B: Looks like a lot less wind out of the east than previously forecasted. Let's depart as soon as possible and take the harbor route. Plan on towing out. If the tow is faster than sailing, let's tow toward Sister Banks. Let's use this location as our base and switch crew until everyone has sailed. Our return to port will likely be the shortcut (towing if there is a time constraint and storms are approaching).