Key Biscayne Sports & Outdoors Tips by grandmaR

Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center

While we were in Miami in 2004, the NASDAQ Open 100 Open, a 12-day tournament featuring the top 96 men and women tennis players in the world was being held on Key Biscayne. People were being shuttled to the tournament in buses, but there were still people who came in their own cars and parked. It created quite a traffic jam on our way out to Bill Baggs State Park. One of the prime attractions were the Williams sisters.

Now the tournament formerly known as the Nasdaq-100 Open is the Sony Ericsson Open. The first one will be in March 2007. For ticket information, click on the URL below.

Equipment: * 18 Laykold cushioned hard courts, six lighted for evening play
* 6 state-of-the-art clay courts, 2 with red European clay, and 4 with green American clay. There are 2 grass courts. All courts are equipped with the newest watering system available.
* Full-service pro shop with equipment and apparel for sale and racket re-strung service.
* Clubhouse that can be rented for social events and meetings accommodating up to 200 people. Tennis related events only

Fees:

* Hard court fees: adults, $3 per person, per hour during the day, $5 per person, per hour, during evenings. Children are $2 and $3 respectively.
* Clay court fees: adults, $6 per person, per hour during the day; Children, $3 per person, per hour. No evening play allowed on clay courts. Call 305/365-2300 for details.

Tennis Programs:

*Individual private or semi-private lessons available daily, from USPTA or USPTR certified staff instructors.
* World Team Tennis (WTT ) league available.
* Summer Camp thru Cliff Drysdale Tennis Program

For more information on the tennis programs call the number below

Address: 7300 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, Florida

Phone: (305) 365-2300

Theme: Sports Watching

Ultralight Adventures

When we had a mooring at Rickenbacker we used to watch the ultra-lights. For a picture of the ultralight in flight, see photo 4.

I haven't done this but it looks like fun. You can take sightseeing flights:

A Bayside / Cruise Ship Row / Fisher Island
B Key Biscayne - Lighthouse / Stiltsville
C Dinner Key / Cocnut Grove / Vizcaya / Brickell
D Virginia Key / South Beach / Sea Aquarium

Any of the above routes is $65

Any 2 combined routes is $80

Any 3 combined routes is $100

All 4 combined routes is $160

Equipment: Or you can get instruction.

From their website:

"In just 15 hours you can meet the requirements for an ACS License. All training done under United States Ultralight Association Airmen Registration Program.

"Details:
"The Ultralight Pilot License (ACS Aerodynamic Control Sea) issued through the USUA, takes approximately two weeks to complete, weather permitting, requiring 15 hours of flight. ...

"Total cost for the course is $1620 prepaid. Includes flight time, log book and training manual. You must successfully complete a 60 question written exam, as well as a oral and flight test in order to obtain an ultralight aerodynamic control sea rating."

Address: 3401 Rickenbacker Causeway

Directions: If you are traveling on I-95 take exit 1, Key Biscayne, and go east 2 miles; our access road is marked with a red and yellow Ultralight sign (near the Rusty Pelican).

Other Contact: Eve: 305.769.9353

Phone: Day: 305.361-3909

Theme: Other

Website: http://adventuretravel.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsit

MM 1091.2 Rickenbacker Marina

We had a mooring here for some months. It was $200/month

Directions: off the Intercoastal Waterway at Marker 67 (ICM 67) on the Northeast side of the Benjamin Powell Bridge

Phone: (305) 361-1900

Theme: Boating/Sailing

Website: http://www.rickenbackermarina.com/