Tradewinds Sailing School

Reviewers Male / Female Recommend Yes / No Number of Reviews Classes & Instruction School Facilities Boats & Courses Cost Total Average Rating
51 / 28 77 / 2 79 9.67 9.17 9.13 9.66 9.41

Date Submitted: May 1, 2007
Sailing School: Tradewinds Sailing School
Location: CA - Richmond, United States
Classes & Instruction: 10 out of 10
School Facilities: 10 out of 10
Boats & Courses: 8 out of 10
Cost: 10 out of 10
Recommend: Yes
Review: How to get your wife to love sailing
Last year I took my wife to the Tradewinds office and introduced her to Brandy Kepner and Butch. It was the best thing I could have ever done to have a great sailing partner. We enrolled in their 3 lesson package and 10 months later we are both Bareboat Qualified Skippers. We love to sail the club boats, at least the ones over 27', and actively encourage others to use their program. We were a little disappointed they dropped the 3 class package, but after talking with Brandy we understand why they did. We were also blessed with some of their best Teachers, Steve Damn (what a patient man!)taught BKB, Ed Polkenhorn (He's forgotten more than I'll ever know) taught BCC, and Jerry Rouillard (The perfect person to teach us Bareboat, firm but empathetic). We are signed up for Advance Motoring and Docking in June. I has also completed their Coastal Navigation Class and will be taking ACC in June. So guys get your wives to the Tradewinds Office, you'll be amazed at the transition. See you on the water.
Comments [ 0 ]
Submitted by: Gary & Nancy Cook
52 year-old   ::   Male Reviewer   ::   West Sacramento, CA

Date Submitted: April 27, 2007
Sailing School: Tradewinds Sailing School
Location: CA - Richmond, United States
Classes & Instruction: 10 out of 10
School Facilities: 10 out of 10
Boats & Courses: 10 out of 10
Cost: 10 out of 10
Recommend: Yes
Review: SAFETOGO
Two years ago I visited Pacific Sail Expo and collected information from many of the sailing schools in the bay area. About a week after the show I sat with a friend, reviewing the sailing school information I collected at the show. Tradewinds' class format and pricing stood out to be a top choice. I explained to my friend about how friendly Brandy Kepner was when she provided me with information, so we both signed up for a three-pack of classes. It was one of the best choices we could have made. Two years later, I'm capable of sailing most of Tradewinds fleet. I feel safe with family and friends as my crew. Not only have I been rewarded from learning technical aspects of sailing, but the social experiences I've had while on a Tradewinds boat are some of the highest quality ones I've had my whole life. I'd recommend sailing to anyone, and I'd recommend Tradewinds as the place to learn.
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Submitted by: John Seals
49 year-old   ::   Male Reviewer   ::   Kernville, CA

Date Submitted: April 16, 2007
Sailing School: Tradewinds Sailing School
Location: CA - Richmond, United States
Classes & Instruction: 10 out of 10
School Facilities: 10 out of 10
Boats & Courses: 10 out of 10
Cost: 10 out of 10
Recommend: Yes
Review: No Pressure
The whole point of Butch and the Tradewinds staff is to make sailing accessible. Sailing has been a lifelong ambition for me but I had always thought sailing to be too expensive and something available only to the wealthy; you know, the Yacht Club crowd. Well, Tradewinds has changed that image and has provided the way for the less affluent to enjoy the sport as well. I have taken their ASA certified classes through Bareboat Charter and have never felt intimidated or less than capable. On the contrary, Butch and the staff have always worked to instill confidence while emphasizing safety. Now, when I am at the helm of my boat on the San Francisco Bay on a perfectly clear and sunny day, the crisp wind driving us, bucking, through the waves, I am living my dream and consider myself one of the luckiest people alive. I am so fortunate to have "discovered" Tradewinds and can't recommend them highly enough.
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Submitted by: Ken
59 year-old   ::   Male Reviewer   ::   Davis

Date Submitted: April 11, 2007
Sailing School: Tradewinds Sailing School
Location: CA - Richmond, United States
Classes & Instruction: 10 out of 10
School Facilities: 10 out of 10
Boats & Courses: 9 out of 10
Cost: 10 out of 10
Recommend: No
Review: Learn to sail with a personal touch
My wife and I came to Tradewinds to learn to sail and we did. We have taken two courses so far and Emily Dean and Steve Damm put us right at ease learning how to sail properly and safely. The management staff of Butch, Brandy and Matt are first rate with their hands on nature that make us feel like we are part of the boating family.
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Submitted by: Vince and Mary Carrillo
50 year-old   ::   Male Reviewer   ::   Orinda, CA

Date Submitted: April 10, 2007
Sailing School: Tradewinds Sailing School
Location: CA - Richmond, United States
Classes & Instruction: 9 out of 10
School Facilities: 9 out of 10
Boats & Courses: 9 out of 10
Cost: 10 out of 10
Recommend: Yes
Review: All I needed to know about sailing
I stared from scratch. I had never sailed before. Now I cruise fulltime in the Caribbean. Tradewinds get you ready for anything. All the boats are different so you 'learn the ropes' not just where a line 'should' be. You learn it all, including how to anchor (being out there it appears most people never learn that vital knowledge). All the people involved are wonderful. thank you guys.
Comments [ 0 ]
Submitted by: tove
51 year-old   ::   Female Reviewer   ::   Berkeley, CA / Caribbean

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