Running and hitting with the bulls

After spending a week hitting with John and the young toros on the clay at El Palmar my game mentally and technically improved. More importantly I had a good time.

My uncle Arturo, a novice, accompanied me and each morning Fergie would hit with arturo, allowing me to focus on my 3.5/4.0 game. By the end of the week it was great to see my 75 year old uncle hit two handed backhands and enjoying tennis. John taught me the intricacies of doubles and in several games with 4.5 players I held my own. If you're looking for singles play, the young guns who show up on weekends have enough game to keep most club and college level players challenged.

John's place is a half block from the ocean and is tastefully designed and furnished. I borrowed his mountain bike and tooled around town, went snorkeling and sea kayaking up the coast which has some of the most spectacular seascapes in Mexico.

I had been to tennis camps elsewhere and prefered El Palmar's pace and pressureless approach. Getting to meet the locals and play with them made me forget that I was a tourist. If you're looking for a no pressure, quality tennis experience in a beautiful setting close to home, this is it.

Steve Ginsberg, El Sobrante Ca.
Arthur Bornstein, Los Angeles

**********

Dear John, Fergie and Paco,

Thankyou so so much for lightening my day up by coming home to find these pictures. What a great shot at the Ceviche bar. All my photos are not great at all and need better camera. They are all too distant. Then Barry has sent on ones of my serves and of us. It is wonderful and yes had to wait a long time for them to chug out of my computer.

Was it a dream? Could it be possible that only 2 weeks ago I was lazing in your pool, trundling along to the tennis courts, eating those delicious bananas, the morning Smoothies, the shrimp etc etc. It was all so wonderful, so relaxing, the foods, so so good. Thank you all for making it that way for us. I will never forget particularly the kindness of Fergie and Paco on my first 2 days feeding me, seeing the wreck I was!! Thankyou

We really had the best time with you. It was perfect for us as we so love to play and every day came another variation, sometimes very low key and sometimes very high key, like doubles with Martin, Fergie and Osvaldo or Mario!! Hey I never played with you John! Then my change of serve, and wish I'd had more time to practice.

My trip back was very good (except for going through with 3 bananas and had to go through Agricultural X ray etc!! I offerred them the bananas too) and made my connections OK. I have only played once the day after my return and was quite jet lagged and worked every day since except for Sunday, yesterday.

I miss you all, had such a great time , and Barry and I really want to return possibly November time. Thank you for everything and sending such great pictures. I think your place is so great! My tan is already fading!

Wish I could return,
Love, Vanessa

Hola John,
Muchas gracias para su hospitalidad.  Even though several Canadians had been to Melaque, I wasn't prepared for the beaty of the hotel, beach and tennis courts.  Stupendous!

From the very first day everything was a delight; the ambience and friendliness of your hotel and staff, the beauty of the beach and the artistically appointed and well equipped suites.  The pretty and well maintained clay tennis courts cannot surely be matched.  I was particularly impressed by Fergies's skilful and patient lessons.  They were the best!  The positive interaction of all the people I met through your tennis camp was the highlight of my trip.  A great experience!
 
I have shown the pictures to the Ladies at our club and they were very favourably impressed.  Let's go they say!  I'll get them organized for next winter.
 
Thanks for the great vacation,
See you again for sure,
Saundra

Hola Fergie,
Thankyou for showing me your high level of skill and quiet style of instruction.  Your knowledge, patience and support is to be commended.  I appreciated you ability to take a skill apart so that others could understand it.  The repetition to help skill learning was another bonus.  So were the tips to use in training, play and tennis in general.  You are a true professional and provide unlimited inspiration to the game.

Muchas gracias!
Saundra