MIAMI — Here’s great news for the whole family. Parents won’t have to worry about keeping track of their children at Strictly Sail Miami this year. They can relax and visit the Show while their offspring are safe and having a good time, enjoying a fun, educational activity. Thanks to a terrific new, FREE program called the “Kids Aboard” Boat Building Workshop, children ages 4 and older can take part in a boat building class from 12 noon to 6 p.m. from Friday through Tuesday of the Show.

KidsAboard.com will organize the workshop and instruct the children. The workshop will center on boat building and painting, along with games and prizes, creative writing and illustrating. The cornerstone of the program is building a Sea Quest 100 10’ scow, complete with outboard motor mount and paddles, with a sailing rig as an option. Throughout the five-days (Friday-Tuesday) , the participants will be building and painting their own boats. They will learn how to use simple tools like an electric driver, caulking gun, hammer, and paint brushes to design and build their vessels. They will also learn basic boating safety. As the boats are finished, their builders will have the opportunity to launch and race them. Grand finale paddle and sailboat races are planned for Tuesday, February 18, from 1-5 p.m., to showcase the maritime creations and to celebrate the success of the workshop’s young participants.

This year’s sponsors include Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Sailorman, Shell Lumber, Sea School, Monty's, Boater 101, Interlux, Extrasport, International Yachtmaster Training, Inc., North Sails, Boat Owner's Warehouse, Scotty's Landing, Harken, Boat U.S. Foundation, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, the Miami Yacht Club and UK Sailmakers.

Strictly Sail Miami, the southeast’s premier all sailboat show and part of the famous Miami International Boat Show, will be held at the Miamarina at Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami from Thursday, February 13, through Tuesday, February 18. The Show features the newest and best in sailboats, accessories, gear and charter information from almost 200 exhibitors from around the globe. The Show will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For further information, call Sail America at 800.817.SAIL or visit www.sailamerica.com.

KidsAboard.com is the free, world wide water sports magazine for kids and parents (1-877-228-1569). The founders, Curtis and MaggiLu Tucker are bilingual US certified and international teachers with 10 years of teaching experience in Europe, South America and the US.