I first started skating (on inlines) in 1998. A few months later, I discovered rollerdancing when I visited Golden Gate Park. My first impression of it was, "I think I've found my people!" Entranced, I spent hours watching, but I didn't think I would ever be a good enough skater to be able to join them. In 1999 I got my first computer, and I typed "roller dance teacher" into the computer. Richard Humphrey's name came up. I was thrilled to learn that he was one of the Golden Gate Park skaters, and he had a studio in San Francisco. I met Richard for the first time at the Red Bull skate dance contest in San Francisco, and soon after that I bought my first of his instructional videos. I studied the video and practiced in an empty school parking lot near home, and soon began taking his classes twice a week in San Francisco. Best decision I ever made! Richard's instruction helped me to skate better and better every week -- improving my balance, control and smoothness. Eventually I invested in a pair of quad skates. Besides the classes, Richard also worked with me and others at the park on Sunday afternoons. Richard is a born teacher - passionate about skating, soft-spoken, eloquent, patient, and the smoothest rollerdancer on eight wheels. His rollerdance lessons have enabled me to totally enjoy my Sundays skating in Golden Gate Park for the last 15 years. Skating has become the best activity in my life, and I owe all the fun and success I've had with roller skating to Richard Humphrey.
- Julie Hall read more