Capt. Dan Ryder has gone over and above

July 17, 2005

RE: Captain Dan Ryder

Sail Channel Islands

To all potential sailors:

This past year my wife and I purchased our very first boat, a Catalina 30. Some individuals suggested we just "take the boat out" and learn to sail, dismissing the need and expense of professional lessons. While I had a couple of sailing experiences in my youth, I really wanted to learn to sail the right way.

Capt. Dan is a thorough, patient, and enjoyable teacher. From my beginning lessons on his 21 footer, to sailing on his Catalina 36, and then lessons on my own Catalina 30, Capt. Dan has been calm and consistent at each level of instruction. I also consider that he has gone over and above in helping me to know my boat and to get the most out of recreational sailing.

On a recent conference/vacation trip to San Diego I was able to treat my wife to a beautiful afternoon on San Diego Bay. The lessons I had with Capt. Dan gave me the confidence and the credential I needed to rent a sailboat (a Catalina Capri 22) for just the two of us.

Returning to the marina I was able to guide our boat to a "princess landing" at the rental dock, prompting the dock-hand to comment "you have obviously done this before."

As I seek to improve my boat handling skills and move to the next level of sailing credentials, I will be calling on Dan Ryder again.

Sincerely,

Don Hagner