Shake a leg Miami
Website
Organization Location
2620 S Bayshore Dr Coconut Grove FL
Description
Our Mission, Vision & Approach
We're on a mission to utilize the marine environment to improve the health, education, and independence of children and adults with physical, developmental and economic challenges, in an inclusive community setting.
The Shake-a-Leg Miami’s mission is as relevant today as it was when it was founded 28 years ago. Through the power of sailing and watersports, it aims to become the premier global community for people with disabilities, their families, and members of all ages and abilities to have fun, be inspired, develop friendships, and launch dreams.
Shake-A-Leg is a place for children and adults with disabilities, as well as their families, to call their own.
People with disabilities desire leisure, friendship, and social participation in the same way their non-disabled peers do. We make that happen! Our sailors, campers, mentors, and veterans develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in sailing, water & community sports, recreation, and educational programs. They inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to accept and open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and participate in the rewarding world of adaptive sports.
Shake-A-Leg Miami focuses on building an inclusive community built around water sports, the environment & personal fulfilment. With our unique lineup of adaptive water sports, we offer adults and children with physical and intellectual disabilities many ways to be involved in their communities and many ways to show who they really are.
Our Universally Accessible Fleet
Sailors with disabilities need specially designed boats and kayaks that augment sailors with increased stability, agility, and mobility aboard a vessel. Here's how we do that.
Shake-A-Leg Miami’s fleet of ten sailboats, thirty kayaks, and safety ships have been purposely designed and actively modified so that they may accommodate a wide range of disabilities. Our fleet has been steadily growing and now offers a variety of sailing experiences to people of all ages. We are looking for ways to grow our fleet and watersport activities. You may help expand our fleet by donating a boat or making a donation by using this form.
Our Fleet
Freedom Independence 20’ Sailboats
This 20’ boat was specifically designed for people with disabilities and is what launched the Shake-A-Leg Miami Program in 1989.
Hobie Cats
These mini catamarans require people on both sides and change the game for sailing, and also accessible to people with disabilities.
Pearson
This 40’ Pontoon Boat is handicap accessible and takes out groups of up to 40 people for cruises on Biscayne Bay.
Chase Boats
Our fleet of chase boats accompanies sailors and children on all their expeditions.
Impossible Dream
The Impossible Dream is a universally accessible 60’ sailing catamaran that is fully operational by a person in a wheelchair. This magnificent vessel was conceived and built by Mike Browne, and later acquired and funded by Deborah Mellen.
Sandy
The Sandy is a sailboat
Adaptive Kayaks
Thanks to the Woody Foundation, three Creating Abilities adaptive kayaks recently joined our fleet. Paddlesports can have many wonderful side effects including disability can be made vanish. With proper support and equipment, a paddler with a disability can participate equally and independently with family, a spouse, or friends. Each kayak provides as much or as little support as the paddler needs.
The fully outfitted kayak with the Creating Abilities Universal Seat and outrigger systems, providing the complete package to adapt to any paddler needing lateral stability. All of the components can be adjusted or removed individually, allowing for quick setup for a wide range of paddlers.
A Rich History Of Impact
Since 1990, Shake-A-Leg Miami has helped people of all ability levels enjoy the Seas.
Timeline
1990
"Dream Realized"
Harry Horgan conceived of this unique organization while still in Newport, Rhode Island, 1990 officially marks Shake-A-Leg Miami's founding in Miami. It took a leap of faith, the stewardship of Dr. Barth Green, and a dedicated team of Miami residents for Horgan and his wife Susie to make the move to South Florida. The location of the city provided him with the opportunity to host his innovative program throughout the year with less weather disturbances.
1996
"Funding to Pay for the Dream"
First year operating in 1990
Thanks to the commitment offered through a $4 million Miami-Dade County "Trust for Safe Neighborhood Parks bond Fund" grant and other foundation support, the Shake-A-Leg Miami organization bloomed. Word spread around the city, and soon, Miami-Dade County Public Schools stepped in to form a relationship with the organization. 1996 was the year that Shake-A-leg Miami launched its initial programs to serve students with disabilities.
1997
"Cleaning and Refreshing Mother Earth Island"
Horgan with a group of program participants in 1996
Turning salt into sugar once again, Horgan and the Shake-A-Leg Miami team enrolled 20 children into the Eco-Adventure Island summer program with the goal of helping to restore "Mother Earth Island," which is a small island located within the mangroves of the Biscayne Bay. Running from June 11 through August 17 each year, children now have the opportunity to wade out into Biscayne Bay through a variety of forms while soaking in information about the marine environment.
1999
"Seeing is Believing"
A group of youth going for a sailing outing in 1996
Shake-A-Leg Miami's recognition increased once again when it hosted the World Blind Sailing Championships with 11 teams from the US, Canada, UK, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Sweden, and France from October 16th through the 23rd in Miami.
2002
"Build It and They Will Come"
Vision finally becomes reality. The construction of a new 3 story watersports building was completed and opened, providing multipurpose classrooms, offices, bathrooms, and a rooftop deck provided a universally accessible campus to the greater Miami community and visitors from all over the world.
2014
"A Ship of Possibilities"
The Impossible Dream departing for her journey up the East Coast
Apart from opening a universally accessible campus to the greater Miami community, a 60-foot catamaran named the Impossible Dream made Shake-A-Leg Miami its permanent sea base. Conceived and originally built by Mike Browne, Deborah Mellen purchased this vessel as her way to give back and help other people with disabilities. This magnificent, universally designed sailing vessel serves individuals with special conditions and veterans, offering a fountain of inspiration for the community. Sailing along the eastern seaboard from Cuba to Maine, the Impossible Dream spreads awareness to individuals who are in need of improving their quality of life through an experience at sea.
2016
"Celebrating 25 years with Art of Sail Gala"
Five hundred people within the Miami-Dade community gathered mid-October to celebrate Shake-A-leg Miami's 25th Anniversary with designer Jens Werner. Models strutted the runway stage, showing off clothing made from recycled sails. These models included many individuals with disabilities, exhibiting Shake-A-Leg Miami's continued commitment to support an inclusive community.
2017
"Knocked Down by Irma, Picked Up by the Community"
Damage to the floating dock
On September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma rocked South Florida's marinas into destruction. it tested the strength of humanity and the Sunshine State's sanity, wiping out thousands of boats. For Shake-A-leg Miami, Hurricane Irma badly the fleet of boats and dock.
The bond people share with Shake-A-Leg Miami goes beyond words. Horgan and the Shake-A-Leg team decided to turn this unforeseen circumstance into a learning experience.
Volunteers helping SALM recover from the storm
Expanding beyond its sailing and paddling programs, Shake-A-Leg Miami enlisted the help of its participants, local organizations and community volunteers. This newly formed team was able to raise funds to temporarily rebuild the docks and get their boats back in service.
Currently, there is still much to be repaired and more money to be invested; however, more than a 4 years later, Shake-A-Leg has demonstrated its endurance and resiliency.
2020
"Paralyzed by the Pandemic"
Summer fun while staying safe!
The Covid-19 pandemic shut down the world, challenging us all to sail through a fog of uncertainty. We had to scale back programs and reduce staff to keep the organization afloat. Shake-a-Leg Miami believes in the healing qualities of the water and wanted to share it during the challenging time. Following all local and federal guidelines, the organization reopened a modified summer camp program and schedule so people could get out on the water to build their health and resiliency.
2022
"Empowered & Determined"
Empowered and determined, Shake-A-Leg Miami continues to develop a network of community partners, to share their expertise and resources with individuals in need, and strengthen Shake-A-leg Miami's distinguished reputation nationally. In the years to come, Horgan wants to innovate new programs and reach those in need globally.
Contact
Contact email - [email protected]
Contact form - https://www.shakealegmiami.org/contact
Phone - 305-858-5550
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shakealegmia
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ShakeALegMiami/
Upcoming events
- No upcoming events
Past events
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- May Community Bay Day
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- April Community Bay Day
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- Baynanza Community Clean Up
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- Sunday Social
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- We Can Sail