Shake-A-Leg Miami

What Shake-A-Leg Miami does

Shake-A-Leg Miami is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 by Harry Horgan and Dr. Barth Green, operating from a historic 1932 Coast Guard seaplane hangar at 2620 S Bayshore Dr in Coconut Grove, Miami. The organization provides universally accessible adaptive water sports and marine recreation programs — including sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, powerboating, fishing, and vocational training — for children and adults with physical, developmental, and mobility disabilities, veterans, youth, and families in Miami-Dade County. It operates a fleet of 20 sailboats, 60 kayaks, and several safety boats, alongside a 3-story universally accessible watersports building (opened 2002) and serves as the permanent home base for the 60-foot accessible catamaran Impossible Dream, which extends program reach along the Eastern Seaboard.

The organization runs a diversified portfolio of programs segmented into Youth and Families (Marine Academy Summer Camp, Adventure Island Camp, We Can Sail, Eco-Tours, mentorship), Adults and Veterans (Seaworthy Transition, Vocational Program, Sunday Social, Veterans Programs), and Community Engagement (Family Day Sail, ASA Sailing Courses, Regattas, Fishing Tournaments). It also operates the Marine & Hospitality Vocational Program offering CNC machine training, boat maintenance, and hospitality skills for adults with disabilities. The business model is donation- and grant-driven: revenue is sourced from individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation), state appropriations, and Miami-Dade County bond funding. Programs are free or scholarship-supported for qualifying participants, with $740,000+ in scholarships disbursed in the past year.

Go-to-market is community-led, relying on partnerships with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, rehabilitation centers (Holtz Children's Hospital, Lynn Rehabilitation Center), veteran organizations, healthcare providers, and corporate groups (Florida Blue, City of Miami). Distribution is direct via online application (JotForm), with no app, no API, and no digital product layer. The organization employs 11-50 staff, engages 15,000+ volunteer hours annually, and reports 30,000+ annual visits from participants across all abilities. Notable recognition includes hosting the 1999 World Blind Sailing Championships, an official visit by Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, and a 25th Anniversary Art of Sail Gala in 2016. The organization has weathered material setbacks including Hurricane Irma (2017 fleet damage) and COVID-19 (2020 program contraction) and remains actively operating as of 2026.

Name

Shake-A-Leg Miami

Legal name

Shake a Leg Miami Inc.

Website

https://shakealegmiami.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shake-A-Leg Miami is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that provides universally accessible adaptive water sports, sailing, and marine vocational training for children and adults with disabilities, veterans, and families in Miami-Dade County from its Coconut Grove facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Water Sports and Recreational Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH), Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ)

Keywords

• Adaptive water sports
• Inclusive sailing programs
• Disability recreational services
• Vocational marine training
• Veteran therapeutic recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual and corporate donations fund operations and scholarships. The organization operates a donation page and accepts planned giving. Donors receive suggested giving levels tied to specific programs.
2. Grant Funding: Receives grants from foundations including the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation ($50,000 Quality of Life grant), Craig H. Neilsen Foundation (SCI grant), and Miami-Dade County bond funding ($4 million in 1996). State appropriations from Florida legislators also support programs.
3. Scholarship-Funded Programs: Program fees are covered by scholarships for qualifying Miami-Dade children and adults with disabilities and/or economic challenges. Over $740,000 in scholarships given in the past year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Shake-A-Leg Miami is a nonprofit organization that delivers universally accessible adaptive water sports, sailing, and vocational programs from its Coconut Grove waterfront campus on Biscayne Bay. Programs serve children and adults with disabilities, veterans, youth, and families through sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and marine/hospitality vocational training, supported by a fleet of adaptive boats and approximately $740,000 in annual scholarships.

Product overview

Shake-A-Leg Miami is a nonprofit adaptive water sports organization providing universally accessible water sports and sailing programs from its Coconut Grove location on Biscayne Bay. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs including youth and family programs (We Can Sail, Marine Academy Summer Camp, Adventure Island Camp, Eco-Tours), adult and veteran programs (Seaworthy, Veterans Programs, Vocational Program, Sunday Social), and community engagement programs (Family Day Sail, Regattas, Fishing Tournaments, ASA Sailing Courses). The organization operates from a historic 1932 Coast Guard seaplane hangar and serves as home base for the 60-foot accessible catamaran Impossible Dream. Founded in 1990, the organization provides approximately $740,000 in annual scholarships and has served over 8,800 people annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• We Can Sail Program Adaptive sailing program for children with disabilities offering half-day experiences on Biscayne Bay including boat rides, sailing, kayaking, and fishing.
• Marine Academy Summer Camp An eight-week hybrid summer camp offering classroom instruction combined with hands-on water activities including kayaking, sailing, swimming, and STEM education.
• Adventure Island Camp Safe outdoor experience for youth of all abilities with daily activities designed to spark curiosity and build confidence.
• Outings/Eco-Tours Experiences on Biscayne Bay using kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, and powerboats with eco-education components.
• Seaworthy Program Workforce transition program for young adults with disabilities teaching skills to help them enter the workforce.
• Veterans Programs Water sports and recreational programs designed to serve disabled veterans, active military members, and their families.
• Vocational Program Technical skills training program for adults with disabilities covering boat maintenance, repair, restoration, woodworking, and facility operations.
• Sunday Social Program Water sports and socialization program assisting students and young adults with disabilities as they transition out of school.
• Family Day Sail Free, fully accessible family day on the bay for families with members who have disabilities.
• Regattas Competitive sailing events including the M32 Miami Winter Series, Melges 20 Worlds Championship, Etchell's Regatta, and Columbus Day Regatta.
• Fishing Tournaments Adaptive fishing competitions and tournaments hosted for schools and organizations.
• ASA Sailing Course American Sailing Association certified sailing instruction from basic to advanced levels.
• Marine & Hospitality Vocational Program Vocational training program offering CNC machine training, boat maintenance, hospitality service skills, customer relations, and preparation for boater's license.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000+ visits from children and adults of all abilities per year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Land N SeaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated life jackets to support safe and accessible Autism Bay Day experiences, approximately 175 participants enjoying sailing and waterfront activities.
• Showtime Photo BoothminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership announced to provide photo booth services at events and community engagement activities.
• The Way Forward FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganized a TopGolf Tournament benefiting Shake-A-Leg Miami, raising funds and awareness for the organization's programs.
• University of Miami (UM) CARDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) representatives visit the Marine and Hospitality Vocational Program. UM School of Architecture students have designed accessible houseboats. UM Innovation, Technology & Design students have pitched solutions. UM Advanced Documentary Photography students have documented programs.
• Impossible Dream Catamaran (Deborah Mellen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 60-foot universally accessible catamaran makes Shake-A-Leg Miami its winter home. The vessel serves individuals with disabilities and veterans, sailing the Eastern Seaboard from Cuba to Maine to spread awareness. Deborah Mellen purchased the vessel as a way to give back. This is the 4th major distance race and 9th year traveling the East Coast.
• Maiden (Tracy Edwards)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Maiden, an iconic sailing vessel with an all-female crew promoting women's education globally, visited Shake-A-Leg Miami for a Bay Day with women and girls from the organization. Stopped at Miami as part of a 90,000 nautical mile world tour visiting 60 destinations in 40+ countries.
• Brunswick, All Blue Planet, Sea Choice, Freedom Boat ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated $30,000 worth of equipment including Sea Choice life jackets, paddleboards, and other watersports and boating equipment for campers. Facilitated by former camper/mentor/employee Kevin Seelig. Sponsors visited camp firsthand to interact with participants.
• TUUCI (Dougan Clark)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder Dougan Clark, a Miami native, has supported Shake-A-Leg for several years providing branded umbrellas and monetary support. He visited summer camp to share stories with campers and inspire them about entrepreneurship on the water.
• City of MiamicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership providing universal water access. Miami-Dade County provided $4 million bond funding in 1996. City Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela (District 1) visited to learn about programs serving his constituents.
• Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the NetherlandsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTheir Majesties of the Netherlands made an official visit to Shake-A-Leg Miami, highlighting the organization's international recognition and impact.
• Romero BrittominorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtist Romero Britto created the Britto Houseboat art installation unveiled at Shake-A-Leg Miami during Give Miami Day, thanks to Ruth Mitchell's generosity. The colorful houseboat brings art and accessibility to Biscayne Bay.
• SeaSpace GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization collaborating with Shake-A-Leg Miami on marine and ocean-related initiatives and programs.
• Holtz Children's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren from Holtz Children's Hospital visited Shake-A-Leg Miami for a day of sailing and waterfront activities, bringing pediatric patients and their families to experience the bay.
• Florida BlueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlorida Blue corporate team spent a day on Biscayne Bay with Shake-A-Leg Miami, engaging employees in community connection and experiencing adaptive water sports.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National disability services nonprofit operating across health, employment, and recreation. Comparable disability-services scope but operates at far larger scale as a federation rather than a single facility.
• Paralyzed Veterans of America: National organization serving veterans with spinal cord injuries and related disabilities through advocacy, sports, and recreation. Shares SCI-community outreach and adaptive sports programming with Shake-A-Leg's veterans program.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large national nonprofit providing programs and services to wounded veterans, including physical and mental wellness activities. Overlaps with SAL's Veterans Programs in serving disabled veterans through recreation.
• Special Olympics Florida: State-level chapter providing year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Comparable sport-and-inclusion mission and volunteer-driven model in the same Florida geography.

Direct peers

• Shake-A-Leg Newport: Original sibling organization founded by Harry Horgan in Rhode Island providing adaptive sailing and water sports to people with disabilities. Shares founder, mission, and program model with Shake-A-Leg Miami, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing: Nonprofit offering therapeutic recreation through fly fishing for disabled veterans. Comparable adaptive-recreation-for-disability-veterans mission and volunteer-driven program model.
• Turnstone Center: Fort Wayne, Indiana nonprofit providing adaptive sports, recreation, and wellness programs for people with disabilities. Comparable programming and scholarship-supported model.
• National Ability Center: Park City, Utah-based nonprofit offering adaptive recreation including skiing, rafting, and water sports for people of all abilities. Directly comparable mission, programming mix (camp + instruction + adaptive equipment), and impact-reporting model.
• Life Rolls On: Adaptive surfing nonprofit founded after a quadriplegic surfer's experience. Directly comparable to Shake-A-Leg Miami in providing adaptive water sports (surfing) to individuals with disabilities and veterans.
• Disabled Sports USA: National nonprofit providing adaptive sports and recreation programming including water-based activities to people with disabilities. Overlapping adaptive-water-sports instruction model with similar scholarship-supported access approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shakealegmiami
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpVdzslFFErOP5BUDXQpNgg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShakeALegMiami
• Instagraminstagram.com/shakealegmia/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shake-a-leg-miami-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shake-A-Leg Miami