Paso Fino horses are born with a unique and graceful four-beat lateral gait which is smooth for the rider and beautiful to watch. See the pretty horses walk this way beginning at 9:00 a.m. today and Sunday at the Tropical Park Equestrian Center, 7900 Bird Rd. Free. Call 305-554-7334. -- Lyssa Oberkreser
Sail Away
Rig yourself a date
SAT 1/8
The fourteen-year-old nonprofit Shake-A-Leg Miami is well-known for providing boating access to the physically and financially challenged, but what about those single adults seeking their sailmate? The Shake team is offering courses aimed at the unattached, pulling nine twenty-foot, two-mast, lead-keel Freedom sailboats from its fleet for lessons (starting today from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). You and other singles will meet (2600 Bayshore Dr.) for an hour of onshore training followed by three hours on the water. Expect about three people and one instructor per boat, allowing each person time at each task (the boats accommodate six comfortably). The program costs $200 and is followed by an advanced series of lessons in February for $150 (or both for $300). After the first course, you should be able to sail on your own, or with a new mate. Each month on the full moon there's a night sail for $16 (half that for members), a perfect first date for you and your new sailing buddy. Call 305-858-5550 or visit www.shakealegmiami.org. -- Greg Baker
Go Fish
SAT 1/8
It's a fish-ous cycle. The waters were full of life, people became adept at removing that life (especially killer creatures like snook and tarpon common to the backcountry shallows), and now there aren't many fish so people have to be more skilled at removing them. (Thankfully catch-and-release is catching on). Learn about shallows fishing from expert angler Roger Hammer at the Backcountry Fishing Workshop from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Castellow Hammock Nature Center, 22301 SW 162nd Ave., Homestead. The workshop costs $15. Call 305-242-7688. -- Greg Baker
BMX-citement
FRI 1/7
Renounce the trappings of the concrete jungle and its overcrowded sidewalks for a trip outside the confines of pedestrian traffic. Pedal pushers of all types will enjoy leaving behind the busted-up bike paths, those out-to-get-you taxicabs, and the humdrum flatness of it all, in exchange for the ramps, mud pits, and speed of Miami South BMX (13050 SW 216th St.). At Miami South it is not uncommon for entire families to participate in races and freestyle competitions, which include some of the coolest highflying jumps since the invention of the trampoline. Practices are held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and races start at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays. Call 305-258-9442 or visit www.miamisouthbmx.com. -- Kris Conesa
