Warm and Sunny in Paradise
Saturday was very different from a week ago, from windy and chilly to almost calm and warm. It almost felt like summertime except for the sea breeze that never really happened.
Intermediate Sailors - Morning Session
There was no way we could have sailed on Saturday morning because it was calm. Instead, we decided to make nature our classroom and launched the Castoldi safety boat for an excursion around the Bay. Let’s see what we can learn!
We observed how the current flows around fixed objects in the water. Then we wanted to prove that the earth is round. The kids were asked if they could see Soldier Key, which is the first island south of Key Biscayne. The water was flat so we aimed south for about 20-minutes. Sure enough, the island eventually popped up as we sped over shallow water. Once there, we hung around for a while catching up on knot-making. Everyone was signed off on the all-important bowline and square knots.
We then headed out into the Atlantic Ocean to the nearby Fowey Rocks. The water was crystal clear and there were several boats fishing in the area. The current was more obvious out there and we could see the toxic-looking orange haze (pollution) that had drifted east with the gradient wind.
We circumnavigated Key Biscayne on the way back, navigating through Bear Cut Bridge, and then powered across the Bay. We docked at the US Sailing Center at 11.50 AM.
Beginner Sailors - Afternoon Session
Kids from CARE Elementary School in Liberty City joined in with our regular group today. In addition, two kids from the intermediate morning session were able to stay and help to mentor the other kids.
We started out with a chalk-talk by one of two volunteers currently studying to become L-1 Certified Youth Instructors. Our regional Siebel Sailors program coach, MacKenzie McGuckin, was on hand to evaluate the process and also to monitor our progress as a Siebel Center. We appreciate her presence because we always learn something new, for sure.
The breeze finally came up so that we could go sailing. It was light, but we made it out using two RS Fevas, one RS Venture, the Boston Whaler coach boat, and the Castoldi Safety boat (see more info on our boats).
We had enough time for a sail and traded out some of the kids so that everyone could sail. On the way back to port we stopped at the nearby #ParadiseIsland305 for a swim, which is very popular amongst the kids.
The other volunteer who is getting L-1 certification conducted the “Keep-Start-Stop” portion of every Siebel Sailors Program. This is where Student Voice is heard. The kids seemed very pleased with the day. As a matter of fact, it seemed like they didn’t want to leave. The feedback we received was pretty awesome!