June 21, 2012

Steve, 

Thanks for sending the pictures.  They are great and Rose has taken one of them and made it a wallpaper on her computer. 

I just wanted to tell you how much Scott, Kevin and I enjoyed yesterday.  It was one of those events that will be a life memory for us all.  I want to commend you on how professional yet casual and friendly the instruction was.  It is clear to me that you are a well seasoned sailor and have the ability to clearly and effectively impart to your students the information they need to know to be (are at least delude themselves into believing) successful.  I, for one, learned a wealth of great information and, except for capsizing the boat (something the boys are not likely to let me forget), I think I was able to put it to good use. 

When any occasion arises that I can recommend a sailing instructor, you can be sure that yours is the name I will mention.  Thanks again for a wonderful day and a terrific learning event for us all.  Sailing for Dummies is now on my must read list. 

Thanks again.

Russ Richmond

June 22, 2012

Hi Steve,

It’s Rose here.  I mentioned all what you said in the last few emails to Russ and I’m sure he will reply after work.  He has already said to please go ahead and use whatever you may like for your website: photos, his emailed comments, etc.

I would like to thank you for making it so easy for me to plan this.  You always replied promptly, gave me guidance, and were always flexible -- all of which was important to me since this entire event was a surprise coupled with having to coordinate with Scott’s travel plans & even Kevin’s schedule!  I’m so glad the weather cooperated!

I cheered when they came home & started telling us about it.  They were like magpies recalling the events! I cheered again when I saw the photos, the guys look so happy and I could tell they were having a blast!  It’s not often that they get time together and the lesson was such a wonderful opportunity for that & no cell phones made it even better as it was uninterrupted time!  Scott says he had ‘freedom’ out there and I think the bug has bit him bad!   Seeing the dolphins out there only made it better!  All he says, is it was so “awesome” and how he wants to move here!  Kevin has already showed me windsurfing stuff online, I think THAT bug is biting him!  Russ is so content that he learned his way around a sailboat a bit better and got to share the experience with his sons.  He so agrees with your assessment and thinks the Richmond guys got a lot of work done out there and could use more practice in the areas you mentioned.

Their time with you goes well beyond a lesson in learning to sail, I know there are so many intangibles there as well.  The guys had some time together to do something cool as well as reconnect in a very special way.  They will continue to recall that day for years to come and laugh and smile while doing so!  It doesn’t get any better than that! 

You made a very positive impression, the guys felt at ease while they worked their butts off!  Hooray!

I can’t tell you enough how glad I am that I picked up the phone that day to explore this wild-haired idea of mine!  It turned out perfect and exceeded my expectations! I hope I’ve been successful in letting you know how cool this was for my guys – they are still high from the experience!

Please know that I will put the word out to my friends and convey to them what a peak experience this was for us all!

Thanks so very much! 

Rose Richmond

P.S. The photos I love are: 626, 628, 631, and 635.   Thanks for taking great pictures!