MAKOS Sailing Booster

MAST Academy on Virginia Key opened in 1990 with a Marine Sciences focus. Originally, there was a fleet of sailboats on campus and the school had a successful sailing team. Last year, a group of about 15 parents at MAST Academy worked together with the Principal at the time to initiate sailing’s return to MAST. A Sailing Club was started at the school and competed in South Florida’s regional regattas with success. 

The Makos Sailing Booster was created to further the mission of making sailing accessible to all students at the school. MAST is in a unique position on the water with direct access to launch small sailboats into a quiet harbor perfect for learning to sail. There is space on campus to store 3-5 small sailboats. There is already a swim class completed by all freshman students, a safety motor boat on campus, and experienced personal. All the pieces are present to provide access to sailing to students of MDCPS, except the sailboats. Miami is considered the sailing capital of Florida, but many MDCPS students will never have the opportunity to learn this skill.

Sailing is an ideal sport to engage students in because there are so many life skills and lessons to be had. It is hard to keep the list short! Most importantly, males and females compete equally, so all students will have equal opportunities. Students will be exposed to nature and become environmentally aware and attuned to the wind, waves, weather, and sea life around them, as well as bringing math concepts such as ratios, proportions, and geometry out of the theoretical classroom and into a hands-on experience while rigging, navigating, and adjusting sail trim, all on the water. 

Sailing is challenging, especially because of changing conditions and surrounding obstacles, but ultimately rewards every participant with development of problem solving skills, self-confidence, and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with peers on and off the water. Sailing facilities at MAST Academy will promote exposure to the unique ecosystem of Biscayne Bay for students who otherwise would not experience the natural world we are lucky enough to be surrounded by on Virginia Key and Key Biscayne, undeniably introducing a lifelong connection and appreciation for the ocean and the sport of exploring it.