Team Paradise Community Youth Sailing planned on taking 28 precious 5th graders from Break Through Miami sailing on Saturday 11/23. The 4-hour visit was carefully mapped out. There would be two departures using two Sonar and two RS Venture. The group left on shore would attend a S.T.E.M. class and then swap out with the other group and go sailing.
Team Paradise was stacked with talented sailing volunteers for the occasion. We usually have excellent help, but this time was extra special. The level of help that we had was second to none! All amazing friends with extensive sailing experience, stacked with knowledge, certifications and licenses. How about Nikki Barnes, Team USA 470 sailor and Olympic hopeful? From Ransom Everglades sailing program came Capt. Joseph Joe Logan III (physical education teacher and sailing coach) and Marc Buller (Waterfront Coordinator, USCG OUPV licensed). Then there was Captain Jennifer Wirth, an ASA instructor with Blue Water Sailing School and also a USCG 100 ton Master Captain’s license holder. There was Cathy Buller, a PRO Race Committee person and a heck of a sailor. There was David Moore, our own Basic Keelboat instructor (ASA Basic Keelboat certified and US Keelboat Certified). Others were: John de Olazarra, driving the safety boat; Steve Schwartz, Laser sailor; Raul Figueroa, a Blue-water sailor) and last but not least, educator David Furer teaching the S.T.E.M. class (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
The S.T.E.M. Lesson
Only 12 of the expected 28 kids came to play. Disappointing yes, but as it turned out it was our lucky day. There was no wind in the morning, so we were not able to go sailing as scheduled. Instead, we brought everyone in to the class room for a short presentation by yours truly, followed by the S.T.E.M. lesson by David Furer. Everyone agreed that David did an awesome job. You can tell by the pictures he had everyone engaged! He performed a series of experiments with air pressure, blowing up plastic bottles and aluminum cans. He even fired of rockets powered by pressurized air. I was concerned that the loud noise of the explosions would draw attention from our neighbors. But as it turned out, the laughter that followed the experiments was enough for them to understand that we were just having fun while learning.
The Sailing
By the time we were done with the experiments, the wind had picked up enough for us all to go sailing. It took a while for everyone to line up, mostly because the students were helming for more of a hands on experience. I’m not sure who had more fun, the girls on-board with Nikki, or one of the other teams? The volunteers certainly had fun and so did yours truly.
Our youth sailing experience was delivered in 3-1/2 hours, as planned. Everyone was back on the bus in time for their departure. I give our performance high marks, much because of the outstanding people involved, both volunteers and students.
BTW Our next event with Breakthrough Miami is on December 14th.
Let’s go sailing soon,
Magnus | Executive Director Team Paradise Sailing