Youth Sailing, STEM
Magnus Liljedahl
SYSTEM S7-E2

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.

SYSTEM S7-E2
Youth Sailing
Magnus Liljedahl
Saturday Youth Sailing S6-E7

The weather in Miami, and many other places, follows a pattern: one day looks like the next. The weatherman calls for southeasterly winds of 5-10 knots, but it's calm in the morning. Then, as it gets warmer throughout the day, the land heats up, and the sea breeze kicks in. The wind on the water is affected by local topography, where land, buildings, and other structures block the wind and create turbulence. Also, there is usually a big difference between the highest and lowest wind speeds. We refer to this as puff and lull. Today, the puffs (gusts) were much stronger than 10 knots. In reality, after the fact, when we all know what happened,….

Saturday Youth Sailing S6-E7
Veterans Sailing
Magnus Liljedahl
Veterans Sailing S2-E10

Miami Fleet week

Today was a big Fleet Week celebration next door at the Coral Reef Yacht Club (CRYC). Hundreds of young sailors were invited for fishing, sailing, and boating. The first busload showed up at 0645 hours for a lovely breakfast buffet. As luck has it, the day coincided with our regular Thursday Veterans Sailing. Two uniquely named veterans, who had never sailed with us, arrived at about 1000 hours. The weather and wind were perfect for sailing across the Bay and joining the festivities at Stiltsviille. We tied the boat next to an anchored sailboat in what can best be described as a small lagoon behind the building. The CRYC dockmaster was on hand to ferry us to the lapidated building. We mingled with the sailors for a while and had some snacks and refreshments before heading back to the US Sailing Center. We had to leave before the current started ripping. The sail home was smooth and very relaxing. It was …

Veterans Sailing S2-E10
Veterans Sailing
Magnus Liljedahl
Veterans Sailing S2-E9

PERFECT DAY ON THE BAY!

Perhaps I might be getting forgetful, but today felt like the best Veterans Sail ever! We had two boats, six veterans, one veteran family member, plus me. Two of the veterans had never sailed with us before. Today was a perfect day on the Bay. The weather conditions were ideal, with just the "right" amount of wind speed. We aimed for the Biscayne Bay channel as we left the Seaplane channel behind, spotting some Dolphins along the way, then tacking through Stiltsville, we turned around and headed back home with the flooding tide pushing us along Bill Baggs State Park, Nixons Beach,..,

Veterans Sailing S2-E9
Veterans Sailing
Magnus Liljedahl
Veterans Sailing S2-E8

Home, sweet home!

Old friends meet new friends. Today, a young man who had just returned from active duty in Syria was visiting. It was super rewarding to offer him and his significant other a soothing and relaxing experience sailing on Biscayne Bay. As always, thank you guys for serving our country.

Veterans Sailing S2-E8

Fun Day Sailing

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E7

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E7

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.….

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E6

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E6

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…

Divine Academy S1-E2

Divine Academy S1-E2

Today, we had our second visit with students from the Divine Academy. Another cold front had arrived with chilly temperatures and windy conditions. We sailed close to shore to avoid splashing waives that would make everyone wet. The excursion turned into a harbor cruise. We started out sailing through the Sea Plane Channel but eventually turned around. Our journey continued past City Hall, through Dinner Key Marina, towards Regatta Park, the Seminole boat ramp, and the Coconut Grove Sailing Club’s mooring field. Yours truly was taking pictures from our coach boat. I had a “can’t miss” meeting and had to return to base sooner than usual. Ed Marreo replaced me at the dock to welcome the sailors back.

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E4

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E4

It was a perfect day for what we always do: have fun and teach sailing while keeping everything safe. It was a breeze day blowing from N-N-W. We stayed close to the shore and sailed to the Vizcaya Museum. Then, we circumnavigated the "Stone-ship" island multiple times while visitors took our picture, probably wishing they were aboard with us.

Our route back to port took us through the Deering channel into the Bay. The breeze was a lot fresher, and the sail home was breathtaking. One of the students (with zero prior experience) tried his hand at the tiller. We have reason to believe that a new sailor was born….

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E3

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E3

Today, we had a low turnout for our Fun Day Sailing event from the Miami Learning Experience. Only five students and two teachers joined us, even though we had room for twice as many. It's possible that some parents are hesitant to let their kids try sailing and be on the water because it's a new experience for them. However, I want to reassure everyone that our activity is completely safe. In fact, the real danger might be coming to the venue itself. To address parents' concerns, we should consider inviting them to sail with us on a separate day so they can experience it for themselves and see how safe and enjoyable it is. Call it “Fun Day for Parents”.

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E2

FUN DAY ON THE BAY S1-E2

It was time for another episode of “Fun Day Sailing”. Team Paradise welcomed eleven new students and two counselors from the amazing school, the Miami Learning Experience. Some were familiar faces who had sailed with us a few years ago. We sailed across the Bay towards Key Biscayne, then turned around and headed for the Viscaya Musem. All along, we had Brickell and downtown Miami as the backdrop. It was scenic, for sure! We continued through the Deering Channel and made it around the Viscay waterfront driveway. Our journey continued along the Mercy Hospital waterfront, and we exited close to Grove Isle….