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Sailing Breeze
"Sailing is always a breeze at Windsong"

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Windsong Sailing Academy Press
3966 Secluded Circle, S.W.
Lilburn, Georgia 30047-2233
770-931-9151

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Vol. 48

2006

           WHAT'S GOING ON THIS SEASON!           .

 
 .SPAM BLOCKERS
To make sure that you don't miss important emails from Windsong and to ensure that our
newsletters and outing confirmations aren't mistakenly blocked by anti-spam software,
add the domain name WindsongSail.com to your list of allowed
senders and contacts or you'll miss important updates!

      Capt Dave's Tips            

I was raised to always strive to better yourself, each and every day, in every way.  I'm sure many of us were.  Without "Goals" we'd lack direction and motivation.  If you never wish for something and never set goals, well you'll probably get exactly what you strived for, nothing!

There are only about two dozen days left before we have to make known our list of New Year's Resolutions.  Seems each year some of the same items repeat, but I'm always lost choosing new ones.  Here's a unique challenge for everyone this season.  Ask someone else to help compile your list for you.  I've always felt at a disadvantage compiling my own list because I think I'm a bit biased.  I think we all view ourselves through colored glasses.  I bet a few of you out there probably could come up with a thing or two that should go on my list of New Year's Resolutions.  Go ahead; take your best shot!  Probably so, but go ask your friends, and a few less friendly too, to suggest some items for consideration for inclusion in your list of goals and objectives for the new year. 

Take this one step further.  As many of you know, I take our Windsong operation very seriously.  It is a business I operate with passion and energy!  It is my personal reputation, pride, joy and constant challenge to better meet the needs of our students.  Please, each of you, take the next 3 minutes and write down at least one way in which Windsong could better serve you.  It has to be practical, economically feasible and provide a business value to a broad base of our students.  Suggest a new product, course, better procedures, functional improvement, customer service enhancement, marketing idea, promotional theme, pricing strategy, incentive program, staff suggestion, or any other suggestion that should go on our New Year's Resolution list.  

I seriously want to provide continuing value to you, our customers, and realize that I can't do it in a vacuum.  I welcome all your input and suggestions.  You should do the same when compiling your own list this year.  You should also acknowledge those who provide the most meaningful and constructive suggestions.  Those are your "partners" who wish you well and see the best potential areas in which you can grow next year.  I too plan to acknowledge those with the best suggestions.  I offer a token of appreciation that will match the magnitude of the best 3 suggestions.  It could be a complimentary ground school class, a sailing outing or a month's worth of classes!

Send me your best suggestions for inclusion in Windsong's 2007 New Year's Resolutions and you will share in our joint success!
 

     So What's NEW!
Christmas Gift Certificates

We've had so many calls about Gift Certificates the past 2 weeks that we've created a web page just to answer the common questions as well as suggest some gift "Packages" for a variety of recreational and holiday budgets.

Gift Certificates

If you have a "difficult" person on your shopping list for this season, what better way to share some holiday joy than to invite them to join you sailing next season by giving them the gift of sailing.

If you're that "difficult" person on someone else's holiday list, suggest that they give you sailing certificates, the gift that provides a life time of memories and joy!

 
Been To Any Parades Lately?
The University Yacht Club Maritime Foundation will host the 2006 Lake Lanier Boating Parade of Lights December 9th starting at 5 pm. 


Houseboats, powerboats, sailboats, cruisers and runabouts will compete for best in category in holiday decorations.

Boats will begin forming in Flowery Branch Bay at 4:30 PM. The parade route, lasting about 2 hours, begins in front of Aqualand, will continue toward Buford Dam turning just before Emerald Pointe, and return past the judge’s stand at Holiday Marina.

For land based viewers, the parade can be seen from Van Pugh North and Big Creek parks. Regular park admission fees apply.

Boaters who wish to view the parade from the water should remain outside of the parade route

 
 Crew Overboard Symposium Report Now Posted
US Sailing's Safety at Sea Committee just posted the Crew Overboard Rescue Symposium Report by John Rousmaniere on its website. This effort tested many different types of equipment and used many different types of boats to see how the equipment worked (light displacement, heavy displacement, multihulls, powerboats, etc.) View the complete Crew Overboard Rescue Symposium report  (Safety Report)
 

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      Windsong Events
New Year's Day Celebration SAIL!

Every year we do a NEW YEAR'S DAY SAIL.  

Come join us this New Year's Day for the fun!  Make your reservations today.  Seating is limited!

How many of you can remember to write "07" on your checks?  I guess with each new year we all have to learn new "stuff".  We've put together a New Year's Resolution list of items that pretty well sums it up. 

Print this out and put it on your bathroom mirror and see if you can improve the quality of your life, health and relationships by following these simple guidelines.

   1) Health:       
       Diet:          Eat less while sailing.
       Exercise:  Do more while sailing.
       Habits:      Do more sailing.
   2) Family:       
       Vacations: Travel while sailing.
       Budget:      Avoid malls while sailing.
       Schedule:  Make more time for sailing.
   3) Interests:   
       Hobbies:    Mess around more with sailing.
       Education: Learn more while sailing.
       Books:       Read stories about sailing.
   4) Friendships:
       Old:            Bring someone sailing.
       New:          Meet someone sailing.
   5) Fellowship:
       Belief:       Think wind when sailing.
        Charity:     Share sailing with others.   
 
Boat U.S. Memberships
Windsong Boat US members wishing to renew at the reduced rate should write the Windsong group name and number (GA83236S) on their renewal bills and return them to Boat U.S. with their payments.
 
Had Any Good Laughs Lately?


Many of you may remember the "Comedy Night" Windsong events from a few years back at Dave & Buster's.  Well they're back!  This time Jillian's at Discover Mills in Gwinnett is hosting them and Windsong has priority seating!  Headliners direct from the Punch Line will ensure this event tops all from the past as this brand new monthly social opportunity for Windsong students, alumni and staff provide the unique comedy venue that Gwinnett County has been missing!  Jillian's private meeting rooms, bowling lanes, pool rooms, and dining facility offer a unique venue for all activities!   

Come early, stay late, but join us for the Comedy performances starting the first Friday night in January.

Seating is by reservation only so call us today!
 
Been To A Good Show Lately?  Boat Show That Is!
January 10th through the 14th is the annual 2007 Georgia Congress Center Atlanta Boat Show.  Mark your calendars now to attend this show.



  (Click Above for show info)
1/10/07-1/14/07

Thirteen years ago Windsong pioneered the concept of Sailing Seminars at the Atlanta Boat Show.  Last year was our most extravagant event ever with four exhibition, demonstration, seminar and presentation areas within the show.

It's a challenge to continue to offer new and exciting programs each season but I think you'll be pleased with our plans for this year's show. 

Sailing Seminar Schedule:

Saturday
Sat 1/14 Noon - Introduction To Sailing
Sat 1/14 1:00  - Know Your 12 Volt Systems
Sat 1/14 2:00  - Sailboat Chartering
Sat 1/14 3:00  - Sailboat Engine Maintenance
Sat 1/14 4:00  - Introduction To Sailing

Sunday
Sat 1/14 Noon - Introduction To Sailing
Sat 1/14 3:00  - Sailboat Chartering

 

     So What's Been Going On?
 

2007 Dates Still Coming Online
Many students have already booked Sailing Outings and Ground School classes for 2007.  Each week more classes are being added and we hope to have them all available within the next week.  Here's a glitch that everyone should know about!  The 2007 prices have not been updated to the web calendar yet.  Anyone who registers AND PAYS for any 2007 classes before we post the new fees will not be subject to the price increases.  If we get the price increase posted to the web before you pay, then the computer will calculate the fees using the new prices.  Kind of a glitch that could work for you if you act now!

Either way if you're taking classes next season you'll need to grab seats before the January Boat Show occurs.  During the January Atlanta Boat Show we usually sell out of most of our seats for the season.  I don't want to hear any complaints from procrastinators next season. 

GET ABOARD TODAY!  Start booking classes now or you'll miss the boat!

Prepayment Is Required For All Ground School Classes
Once you have registered for a ground school class, you're registration is safe for 5 business days pending receipt of your payment.  If you do not remit payment on time your seat will be released to others.  Prepayment is the only way to guarantee your seat.  In order to qualify for the "Early Bird" discounted rate your payment must be received by us 60 days prior to the class date.  Merely registering 60 days in advance will not qualify for the discount. 

Admission Tickets Are Required - So Is Acknowledgement Of Receipt!
2006 was a trial year for Admission Tickets while we perfected our web registration application.  Starting in January no one will be permitted to participate in Ground or Outing classes without proof of registration.  Admission tickets are automatically emailed on the Monday prior to your class dates.  You must print these and bring them with you as proof of your registration.  Since email delivery is not a guarantee, it is important that you reply to acknowledge your receipt of your Admission Ticket so that we'll know you got it.   

After signing onto our Web Calendar Page, you can now view your list of class bookings via the "MY SUMMARY" menu option.  By clicking the "View Family Summary" option you can view the booking for your family members.

  1. You MUST REPLY to acknowledge receipt of your Admission Ticket.
  2. You MUST PRINT AND BRING your Admission Ticket with you to class.
  3. Your Admission ticket will list the date, time and location of your class. 
  4. If you require detailed directions, acquire them from our web directions page.

Upcoming Classes
 We have several seats available over the next few weeks of classes.  

You can click on the class description below for more information.

Ground School Classes:
  12/05 & 07 Bareboat Chartering
  12/10 Basic Keelboat Sailing Theory (Sold Out)
  12/12 & 13 Marine Meteorology
  12/19 & 21 Advanced Coastal Cruising
  01/21 Engine Maintenance
  01/23 & 25 Basic Keelboat Sailing Theory
  01/28 12 Volt Marine Electronics
Sailing Outings: (Check the web site for exact times)
  12/09 Sailing Outing (Skills & Drills)
  12/16 Sailing Outing (Skills & Drills)
  12/30 Sailing Outing (Skills & Drills)
  01/01 12:00 New Year's Day Sail - An Annual Tradition!
Windsong
       T-Shirts & Hats

These are great to tell others about
            your sport
                  and
                     accomplishments.

 

               

 
 

FOR SALE!  GOT SOMETHING TO SELL?  Try Our For Sale New Site Free.
Although we intend to limit items for sale to our student members, we will consider items submitted from the general public as well.  We'll play it by ear to see how it goes.  Just remember to let us know when the item is sold so that we can keep our web site current.  So here's the link Items For Sale.

   
HATE THAT SPAM?
Ever noticed that all official Windsong emails have the word "WINDSONG:" in the subject? That's so that you can use a filter or rule to intercept and redirect Windsong emails into a dedicated folder based upon this trait.  That way we won't ever wind up in your SPAM folders and accidentally deleted.  This is actually a two-way street.  Any replies from you will automatically contain the same identifier in the subject and we can prevent it's accidental deletion as well.  So any emails from you to us should contain the word "WINDSONG" in the subject or you risk censure by our anti spam software.  Daily we receive just over 800 SPAM emails and find the use of filtering software imperative.  Don't risk losing our emails, filter TODAY!

 

Friends don't let their friends go through life
without experiencing sailing!

Invite someone to join you today!
PLEASE, REACH OUT AND TOUCH US,

                We're listening!!

Many times students' suggestions are implemented on the spot!  We pride ourselves in our customer service and attention to the needs of our students. If you have thoughts or ideas, drop us a line or give us a call.  All things are possible; you simply need to ask. 

Thanks!
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our students for their loyal support through the seasons and encourage everyone to bring one new friend along each year as you sail.  As we grow and expand our operation, we want to make our products and services available to all who may be interested, but someone has to make the introduction.  Share the love of your sport with those who may be interested in our unique collection of programs. You'll be glad you did and so will they!