In 2006, the Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program started with one generous donation and nothing else. No boats. No kids. I was its first youth sailing director, so I remember those early days well.
Today the program runs year-round on Buttonwood Sound, and every February it hosts the Buccaneer Blast, which organizers bill as the largest youth regatta in the Florida Keys. If you are a parent, a coach, a grandparent, or someone thinking about a move to Key Largo, here is what you should know.
What Is the Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program?
The Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program (MSYSP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth sailing program based at the Upper Keys Sailing Club in Key Largo, with direct beach access to Buttonwood Sound. It was seed-funded by Ken Sorensen, a longtime Florida Keys state representative, in memory of his son Mark.
The mission has not changed since day one: make sailing affordable, accessible, and inclusive for Upper Keys kids.
Looking at homes near the club? See my post on buying a home near the Upper Keys Sailing Club.
Programs for Every Season
MSYSP is not just a summer camp. Its offerings include, among others:
- Summer sailing, with Learn to Sail for younger sailors and Club 420 sailing for older ones.
- Fall and spring racing teams, with Optimist (Opti) racing as the entry-level team and Club 420 as the advanced team.
- A home school sailing program.
- A volunteer counselor path for experienced older campers.
The summer days go well beyond the boat. Campers have taken trips to Nest Key in Everglades National Park and kayaked and paddleboarded to nearby bird nesting islands. Those are the kinds of days kids remember for the rest of their lives.
Sailing also builds real skills. Kids learn to read the wind, make decisions on their own, and take responsibility for a boat. For teens who stick with it, college sailing teams are a real possibility down the road.
The Buccaneer Blast Regatta
The Buccaneer Blast Regatta is the program’s signature fundraiser. The 2027 event is the 18th annual, set for February 5 through 7, 2027. Registration, the schedule, lodging, and every other event detail live on the official Buccaneer Blast page.
The regatta is based at Rowell’s Waterfront Park, a Monroe County park on the bayside of Key Largo near mile marker 104.5. Races are sailed on Blackwater Sound. The 2026 event drew sailors and their families from Florida, the eastern U.S., and the Caribbean.
Fleets include Optimist Green, Optimist RWB, Youth ILCA, Club 420s, and windsurfers. Proceeds from the regatta help keep the program going the rest of the year.
Watching From Shore
You do not need a boat to enjoy the Blast. Rowell’s is a public waterfront park, and watching fleets of small sails head out onto Blackwater Sound is quite a sight. Bring a chair and some shade. February weather in the Keys is about as good as it gets.
How to Support the Program
MSYSP keeps its program fees low so cost does not keep kids off the water. That only works because of sponsors, donors, and volunteers, and the Buccaneer Blast is the biggest chance each year to step up. The program is always looking for new sponsors, and there are several ways to help, for example:
- Become a sponsor. The program offers several annual sponsorship levels, and sponsor dollars go first toward scholarships for sailors who need help. Sponsors are also recognized at the Buccaneer Blast.
- Support the sponsors. The local businesses on the MSYSP sponsors page back these kids every year, so give them your business and tell them why.
- Make a donation. Every gift helps with boats, equipment, and scholarships.
- Volunteer on regatta weekend, on the water or ashore.
- Become a non-voting member of the program.
For sponsorship, donation, or volunteer questions, contact the program at [email protected].
Buy or sell with me, and the kids win too. Mention the Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program when you work with me on a Florida Keys purchase or sale, and I will make a contribution to the program on your behalf when your transaction closes.
Youth Sailing Elsewhere in the Florida Keys
The Upper Keys are not the only place kids learn to sail down here. If you are looking farther down the island chain, two other programs are worth knowing, among others:
- Middle Keys Sailing in Marathon, run by the MYC Educational Foundation, a nonprofit supported by the Marathon Yacht Club.
- The Key West Community Sailing Center, a nonprofit offering youth sailing, summer camp, and adult programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program?
The Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth sailing program based at the Upper Keys Sailing Club in Key Largo. It began in 2006 with seed funding from Florida Keys State Representative Ken Sorensen in memory of his son Mark, and it works to make sailing affordable, accessible, and inclusive for Upper Keys youth.
When and where is the 2027 Buccaneer Blast Regatta?
The 18th annual Buccaneer Blast Regatta runs February 5 to 7, 2027, with racing on Saturday and Sunday, February 6 and 7. It is held at Rowell’s Waterfront Park, 104550 Overseas Highway in Key Largo, with races on Blackwater Sound.
Who can sail in the Buccaneer Blast Regatta?
The regatta is open to youth sailors in classes that include Optimist Green, Optimist RWB, Youth ILCA, Club 420, and windsurfers. Registration and event details are on the program’s Buccaneer Blast Regatta page.
How can I support the Mark Sorensen Youth Sailing Program?
You can sponsor the program, donate, volunteer at the Buccaneer Blast and other events, or become a non-voting member. Sponsorship and donation questions go to the program at [email protected].
Thinking About a Move to the Keys?
I have lived in the Keys since 1977, and my family joined the Upper Keys Sailing Club when I was a kid. Growing up on these waters shaped my life, and it is a big part of why I still live, sail, and sell real estate here.
I was also there when this program had no boats and no kids. Since then, many dedicated directors, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors have built it into a year-round program and a regatta that draws young sailors from across Florida and beyond. Seeing it flourish is one of the things I am proudest of in this community.
Families moving anywhere in the Keys, from Key Largo and Islamorada to Marathon and Key West, can give their kids the same chance to grow up on the water. If you are thinking about a move, call me at 305-394-4449, email [email protected], or send me a message. You can also start with my Florida Keys home buying page.
Need financing? I am also a licensed mortgage loan originator (NMLS #2773431) with LoKation Mortgage (NMLS #2682974). Visit KeysLender.com to learn more.
Jim Signor - Florida Keys Real Estate, Broker-Associate, LoKation Real Estate