History

Named in honor of James “Ding” Schoonmaker, the primary founding member of the sailing center, the Schoonmaker Center was dedicated in 2003.  Ding is a world champion sailor from Miami and was the driving force in securing the land and building the facility for both international and domestic high-level competitive sailors. Through the years, the US Sailing Center has been home to the highest level of sailing in the USA while also becoming a resource for our local Miami adult and youth sailors.  The center has worked in collaboration with the Miami Parks and Recreation Department to host sailing camps for Miami’s inner-city youth.