What to wear when sailing!

How do we do it?

Team Paradise Youth Sailing Programs focus is to introduce kids ages 10-14-years old to sailing. Most of the kids have little or no prior sailing experience. Many have never been on Biscayne Bay, and some can’t swim. How do we do it?

Team Paradise is representing the Siebel Sailors Program in Miami. As such, we promote the five Habits of Excellence: Fun, Effort, Respect, Student Voice, and Inclusion. Our staff is friendly and welcoming. They are expert sailors capable of using boats and equipment to its fullest potential. As a group, we aim at providing controlled excitement in a safe setting. By adding Intermediate Siebel Programing on Saturday mornings, we now have a natural path of progression for the kids to move up in skill level. By the time kids “tap-out” at 15, It’s onward and upward for them. Team Paradise is a feeder program!

We can’t control the wind, but we can adjust our sails

It may sound cliche, but the one thing we do not control is how kids are dressed when showing up for class! During summertime it is warm and all that is needed is quick-drying UV Protective swim gear like swimsuits, long sleeve sun-shirt/hoodie, sun hat/cap, sunglasses, sailing gloves, and water-shoes.

There is no bad weather - it’s bad clothing that makes you miserable!

During the winter season, we have to dress differently! We need more of a “wardrobe” so to say. We have to add a layer, or two, or three. Some days are warm other days can be cold. On a cold day a neoprene wetsuit, with a Dinghy smock on the upper body. Some days a thermal base layer with short pants, or hiking” pants with a thermal top and a windbreaker would be ideal.

Regardless of the season, we recommend that kids wear quick-drying UV Protective swim gear like swimsuits, long sleeve sun-shirt/hoodie, sun hat/cap, sunglasses, sailing gloves, and water-shoes. All the other clothing is added on as needed.

Wish list

In order to give you a better idea on what type of clothing to buy, we have put together an Amazon Wish List.

Priority order (is not an exact science):

  1. Gill Pro Top (2018)

  2. Harken Sport Classic 3/4 Finger Glove

  3. GILL Men's Deck Shorts - 50+ UV

  4. HH Dry Stripe Long Sleeve Base Layer Crew Top

  5. HH Men's HH LIFA Lightweight Quick-Dry Moisture Wicking Thermal Base-layer Pant Bottom

  6. Helly-Hansen Men's Marstrand Trunk Shorts

  7. Men's UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hoodie Shirt Long Sleeve SPF Fishing Outdoor UV Shirt Hiking Lightweight

  8. Gill Junior ZenLite Skiff Suit

  9. Gill Edge 4mm Neoprene Wetsuit Boots Shoes Helly-Hansen

Team Paradise has some of the above gear to lend those who need it. Clothing is expensive and there is a lot of product out there. We all know that performance goes up when dressed comfortably. Let’s go sailing!