Makos Sailing Booster

This fundraising campaign has been officially approved by Miami-Dade County Public Schools — and we need your support!

The Makos Sailing Booster at MAST Academy is a dedicated group of parents, students, and staff committed to making sailing accessible to all students. Together, we are reviving a beloved part of MAST Academy’s history and creating new opportunities for learning on the water.

MAST Academy on Virginia Key opened in 1990 with a Marine Sciences focus. For years, the school maintained a fleet of sailboats and a thriving sailing team. That tradition faded over time, until a group of 15 parents partnered with the school and district two years ago to bring sailing back. Their efforts paid off: a new Sailing Club launched, and just last year, the team competed in South Florida’s high school regattas and earned first place in the Southeast region.

To continue growing the program, MAST sailors need your support. Your donation will help us:

1. Launch a “Learn to Sail” Program using three recently delivered training boats. With a freshman swim requirement already in place, a safety motorboat on campus, and knowledgeable personnel, all the ingredients are ready. This program will open the door for many more students to experience sailing for the first time.

2. Purchase a race-quality Club 420 so the MAST Sailing Club can continue competing in local regattas and representing the school at a high level.

MAST Academy is uniquely positioned for sailing, with direct access to calm waters ideal for learning. Sailing offers far more than recreation, it builds real-world skills and lifelong confidence. Boys and girls compete together on equal footing; students learn to read the wind, tides, weather, and wildlife of Biscayne Bay; and hands-on sailing brings math and physics concepts to life through rigging, navigation, balance, and sail trim. Navigating changing conditions fosters resilience, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.

Expanding sailing at MAST Academy will immerse students in the remarkable ecosystem of Biscayne Bay—many for the first time. This program will deepen their connection to the ocean, spark curiosity, and foster a lasting appreciation for the natural world surrounding Virginia Key and Key Biscayne.

Thank you for your support. Every contribution is greatly appreciated.