Several classes were scheduled to race this weekend, including the J-24, Snipe, Ilca, Sunfish, and Finn. The US Sailing Center was very busy. The weather forecast for today called for sustained winds above 20kt. It was predicted earlier in the week, so it was no surprise. 

When planning a successful day, it's often best to figure out what can go wrong first! My risk assessment was easy to make. Boats would capsize, sails could rip, and masts could brake, but we would survive. There was no significant, solid benefit to going sailing today…

Today was a beautiful day for sailing on Biscayne Bay. The warm temperatures and moderate winds made it a pleasant experience. Although the kids from the Camillus House Verde Gardens housing project couldn't make it due to transportation issues, we had good attendance from both coaches and our regular students. 

Coach Josh led the intermediate group, sailing the RS Fevas as usual. The rest of us stayed with the beginners in the RS Ventures. It's interesting to observe how the beginners are improving and catching up to the intermediates and how some intermediates are becoming skilled enough to belong to a more…..

Today was great in Paradise! The kids returned their homework and began the day with a written test on parts of the boat and sails. While we were sailing, Ms Susan reviewed their work, and at the end of the day, she gave everyone small rewards. Weather conditions were ideal: sunny with blue skies and breezy. Despite the small craft warning, none capsized, and everyone stayed upright. Sailing skills have come a long way. The new RS Venture sails look good and are a significant upgrade. Our new compact VHF radios, so generously donated, provide for much better safety. Ten units with private channels enable us to communicate between the Ventures, coach boat, and propeller-less safety boat without anyone listening in or interrupting our messages. Despite a few kids not attending, we had a sizeable group. Camillus House added one new student to the program. As such, she is required to perform our water-comfort test. At first, she hesitated to jump in despite the shallow clear water and sandy….

The first Saturday of the SYS Spring session was postponed for a week due to "nuking" wind conditions a week ago, The first Saturday of the SYS Spring session was postponed for a week due to "nuking" wind conditions a week ago, but it happened today. We had a smaller group of kids because of spring break and the Easter holiday. Our students from Vera Gardens could not attend due to transportation issues. Nevertheless, today was an extra special day for us. The RS Fest is going on in Regatta Park. It's the first-ever multi-class RS event in North America. Team Paradise entered the regatta with one RS Feva, but they could only compete for one day. The rest of our team used our RS Ventures to sail around and watch the racing. ..

In progress….….

In progress….….

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….

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...