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!
The more we do it, the better we get! Today was the second of eight lessons in our fall session of Youth Sailing. Each Saturday will look the same. We are divided into two groups: the beginner sailors, ages 9-12, who attend our STEM class, the SYSTEM, and the intermediate sailors, ages 12-17, who attend our NEXT LEVEL program. Both groups began at 10 AM and finished at 3 PM. The SYSTEM classroom is indoors, and the NEXT LEVEL meets in the second-floor breezeway. The SYSTEM is based on REACH (US Sailing's STEM education series), while the NEXT LEVEL is based on US Sailing's Intermediate curriculum.
During spring break, we took a day to introduce our Sailing + Youth + STEM (“SYSTEM”) initiative. Partnering with the Miami Waterkeeper organization, we had student-sailors, coaches, and three graduates from the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science participating in the class. We began the day with a presentation on water quality monitoring.
Today, we had three veterans out sailing Captain Ed was in command as usual. They did an awsome docking upon their return to the dock. I witnessed it through my camera lens. Fantastic! See for yourself; view the pictures and video below.
Also, see the information about why and how to join us for our next sail on February 22.
Team Paradise hosted the ATC Corporate Regatta today. The group arrived at the US Sailing Center at noon. After a short meet and greet, we continued with the skipper's meeting, followed by a safety briefing.
Five boats came to the starting line, three Sonar and two J-24. Each team had a skipper we provided and three corporate team members aboard. We managed to complete three races in light and shifty wind.
The after-sail de-briefing at the Coral Reef Yacht Club next door was almost as fun as the racing. Everyone seemed to have a good time……
Today, we had three veterans out sailing Captain Ed was in command as usual. They did an awsome docking upon their return to the dock. I witnessed it through my camera lens. Fantastic! See for yourself; view the pictures and video below.
Also, see the information about why and how to join us for our next sail on February 22.
Students from the Miami Learning Experience returned for another Fun Day Sailing today. it was a small group with big hearts, four students and two teachers. It was windy with chilly temperatures. we stayed close to shore. For the most part, it was a harbor cruise. I could not have had better volunteers to command the two Sonar sailboats. Randy and Kenny grew up in Miami, and I have known them since 1980.….
Today, we had 17 kids and seven coaches on the water. The wind was southerly, 10-15kts. We rigged both RS Ventures and four Fevas. Mo and John coached the intermediates using the Boston Whaler. They set a windward-leeward course, and the kids had a blast. They kept going around and around. They seemed to do better with each lap, and there was no quitting. Joe, Leo, and I followed the beginners aboard our propeller-less safety boat. Also aboard was Shuntae, a program director for Cammilus House Vera Gardens. Each of the RS Venture had 470 sailors skippering. Anna and Liam are their names. We are super stoked to have them come and volunteer….
Today, we had two new veterans in our weekly Thursday Sailing program. In all, we had one Sonar sailing with a crew of five Veterans aboard. The wind and weather were perfect for our sport. The wind dropped as they sailed along, but they returned to port as planned at 2 PM. The event was delayed because of an 18-wheeler Coca-Cola delivery truck accident on I-95. Some veterans travel a long distance to be a part of our sailing. We appreciate their effort and are humbled by the fact.
At Team Paradise, we are one happy bunch of people! Every weekend brings challenges in one form or another. But no worries, everything worked out by day's end, and everyone was smiling. Today, we were shorthanded in the coaching staff. If there is a will, there is a way; Jian stepped up as usual, Mo returned, and Joe has not missed a day. Yours truly was assigned to an RS Venture, and so was Jian...
For veterans with disabilities, sailing is used as a holistic therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. Sailing can even have long-term effects on veterans who struggle with these ailments and help to improve their overall quality of life. Being on the water promotes a healthy and active body, but did you know studies show that outdoor activities can help with various mental health issues? Sailing is an activity that….
Today, we marked half-time for our Saturday Youth Sailing winter session. Four events are completed, and there are four more to come. Sailing today was completely different from last week. We had light air and a fair bit warmer temperatures. Sixteen students came to sail and have fun in the sun. Jian and Marite skippered the RS Ventures; we also had two Fevas sailing, one with Adrian and Gabriel and the other with Ale and Noah. It was a super busy day with racing in several classes….
For veterans with disabilities, sailing is used as a holistic therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. Sailing can even have long-term effects on veterans who struggle with these ailments and help to improve their overall quality of life. Being on the water promotes a healthy and active body, but did you know studies show that outdoor activities can help with various mental health issues? Sailing is an activity that….
The forecast for today was for NW winds, 10-15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. Our float plan was easy, given the weather forecast and the high tide. Make a left from the SeaPlane Channel, stay close to shore, and sail to the Viscaya museum and around their little island, which is like a driveway for boats. Our chairman of the Board, Moises Alfonso, and I launched the coach boat and followed along, taking pictures and cheering on. We navigated back the same route we came out. The wind was gusty and too strong…
Yesterday was another breezy day in paradise! The forecast was for 10 to 15 kt SE winds with gusts to around 20 kt. Bay waters a moderate chop. We had twenty-six people on the water, including twenty kids, five coaches, and one assistant coach. Susan remained land-based as usual, heading up our central command….
It was another windy day on the bay. Ten students and two teachers from the Miami Learning Experience came sailing with us. The previous week was canceled due to the chill and strong wind. They returned back to port earlier than expected. One of the students complained about motion sickness, so the coach in charge made the right decision and turned around….
The past week proves that the weather forecast is often incorrect. Some people ask me what the weather will do on a given day. I usually say, “I can tell you tonight accurately.” It hurts when we cancel and later realize we could have sailed. Team Paradise canceled events on Wednesday due to windy and chilly weather predictions. We probably could have sailed. Our corporate regatta on Thursday had ideal wind….
Team Paradise hosted the ATC Corporate Regatta today. The group arrived at the US Sailing Center at noon. After a short meet and greet, we continued with the skipper's meeting, followed by a safety briefing.
Five boats came to the starting line, three Sonar and two J-24. Each team had a skipper we provided and three corporate team members aboard. We managed to complete three races in light and shifty wind.
The after-sail de-briefing at the Coral Reef Yacht Club next door was almost as fun as the racing. Everyone seemed to have a good time……
