Wednesday 10 June 2026 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Assessment

Dear Peter,

I wanted to write while the day was still fresh to thank you for what turned out to be a genuinely exceptional experience.
I came to Bisham Abbey having prepared thoroughly — perhaps over-prepared in some respects — but no amount of study fully anticipates the quality of instruction one will encounter. Your approach from the outset made clear that you were less interested in catching me out than in sending me away a better helmsman.  That distinction matters enormously, and it is not universal among examiners.

Two things in particular stay with me. The first is your handling of my gaps in knowledge around cold water immersion — the mammalian diving reflex, cold shock, swim failure, post-rescue collapse, and secondary drowning. I had no precise knowledge of this material. Rather than marking the deficiency and moving on, you taught it, clearly and completely, until I had it. 

 That is the act of someone who cares whether the candidate actually knows the material, not merely whether the box is ticked.
The second is the man overboard sequence. My briefed protocol was generic. Your Thames-current-specific method — three lengths straight before turning, six lengths below the casualty before the upstream approach, verbal contact on the pass, holding position to let the current deliver, and cutting the motor alongside — is a meaningfully better procedure for the environment in which I will actually be operating. You repeated it with me until I executed it correctly. I will not forget it.

The day ran from nine in the morning until Three Thirty in the afternoon, and I was engaged every minute of it. At whatever the sterling equivalent — it was among the better investments I have made in forty years on the water. Please pass my regards to your colleagues at Bisham Abbey. 

If the opportunity arises to recommend your school to fellow boaters preparing for the IWHC or ICC assessment, I will do so without hesitation.

With sincere appreciation, K B. Cooke

Friday 8 May 2026 - Dutch Barge Refresher Day

Hello Peter,

You asked for feedback on the day I spent with Bruce. I am pressed for time but am happy to send this short note confirming that the session was well judged and touched on all of the points you and I had covered beforehand.. I found the day very useful. And it really helped me review and consolidate a range of important issues as I undertake a new cruise on the French waterways. Bruce was clear and informative and clearly in command of the subject matter. He had a welcome, friendly and relaxed manner. I would recommend a refresher like this to anyone considering it. I would certainly sign up again myself - please pass on my thanks to Bruce and also thanks to you and Julie for sorting the day out and answering my questions beforehand.

Kevin

Thursday 19 March 2026 - RYA Diesel Engine Course
Thanks for this. Useful resources.

I'd also like to register my thanks to Kevan who gave the diesel engine course this week.

 He was very engaging, gave lots of clear, simple, and practical examples of the points discussed, and fostered a good interactive session amongst all the attendees. Great job, and an enjoyable day. Thank you Kevan.

Andy

Friday 6 March 2026 - RYA First Aid Course

Dear Peter
Many thanks for your follow up email after the First Aid course yesterday. The information is very helpful. 

Stephen and I have both done many of the courses over the years to keep our certificates and knowledge up to date. We agreed that this RYA First Aid course was, by far, the best ever for us. Tim’s presentation was top notch. We therefore thoroughly enjoyed it and feel well updated. We had the bonus of a great group of people also there.

Kind regards P Morris

Monday 17 November 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Greetings Peter,  

Apologies for the very tardy reply (life keeps getting in the way).

Both Peter and I really enjoyed the training we did with you at Bisham Abbey. We were very impressed with the way you subtly catered to our individual needs when doing the practical parts of the course.    We learnt so many useful techniques and are looking forward to putting it all into practice on our barge.

 Thanks again ,

Susan and Peter

Monday 6 October 2025 - Boat Experience Day

Hi there, 

I just wanted to send a big thank you to Gaius for my boat day yesterday!  He was so patient and kind, and extremely knowledgeable.  There was a lot to take in, but it was a very enjoyable day.   

It was a really good introduction into boating, and it’s still something I’m very much interested in.  But I will be taking my time to do a bit more research before I take the plunge and buy a boat.  But would definitely look at doing another day on my boat when I get one! 

 Please pass on my thanks to Gaius, he was brilliant!

 Best wishes, Kate

Monday 22 September 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi Peter & Gaius, 

Karen and I would like to say that we thoroughly enjoyed the course and Gaius' training and supervision. The course exceeded our expectations and has given us a good foundation on which to further build our skills over the coming years.

 The additional opportunity to benefit from your and Giaus' combined boating experience was also invaluable.

 Thanks again and we will happily recommend the course and your training organisation.

 Kind regards Andrew & Karen

Monday 16 September 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Dear Peter,

Thanks for the training last week, I had a great time with you, Harry and Jack.

I found the quality of the training exceptional. You bring a compelling blend of experience, knowledge, humour and calmness that made the two days fly by.

As you know, I am looking to buy a share of a Dutch Barge (also Piper built!) and I now feel confident that I have enough skills to be able to practice and enjoy the French waterways.

I would not hesitate to recommend Bisham Abbey to anyone needing any kind of training.

 Thanks again!  Mike

Monday 8 September 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi Julie,

 I didn't want to leave without a proper send off. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience. Bruce was just amazing and the hospitality was great from all of you. Out 5 stars I would rate the experience as 6. Well done and thank you again for your patience, professionalism, and guidance.

 Be well and I will see you again Keith

Thursday 28 August 2025 - Own Boat Experience day

Dear Julie, 

Please could you pass on our sincere thanks to Peter for a brilliant boat experience day. We appreciated his expert knowledge, patience, positivity and sense of humour throughout the whole day which enabled us to get the most out of it. We had a few glitches with the boat but Peter was calm and made adjustments as needed and highlighted to us the importance of thinking through everything that happens whilst on the boat.  

We had a really great day and would highly recommend this experience to any person new to boating.  

Thank you for your organisation and great communication, Julie.

 Best wishes,

Michelle and Andy

Tuesday 19 August 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman course

Bisham Abbey Sailing team,

Thanks for the making my goal of ICC happen. Your competence, professionalism and engagement, made this ordinary student feel comfortable - providing me a fun and rigorous learning experience, ending in Inland Waters Helmsman certification.

As necessary, I'll be back for a refresher, and in the meantime I'll recommend you to others.

Much obliged,

Stephen

Thursday 31 July 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi Peter, 

We thoroughly enjoyed doing our Helmsman's Course this week, and it was great to meet you and the team!

Here is our review:

We booked ourselves onto the Inland Waterways Helmsman's Course with Bisham Abbey Sailing School after several recommendations from other barge owners. We did not expect to enjoy the 2 day course as much as we did, which was a brilliant experience and has not only left us with a useful qualification, but an increased confidence in skippering our barge.

As our instructor, Peter was just the right balance of informative,  calm and knowledgeable, as well as having a great sense of humour (in addition to  learning lots of new skills, we also did lots of laughing over the two days!)  

Julie dealt with the administration of our booking in a super-efficient way, making the whole experience from start to finish an enjoyable and memorable one.  

We would not hesitate to recommend Bisham Abbey Sailing School!

 Regards, Russell.

30 July 2025 - Dutch Barge Experience Day & RYA Powerboat Level 1+2

Dear Peter,

Thank you so much for a wonderful couple of days with you at the School last week.

The Monday spent learning about the effect of hulls shapes and chines/strakes were particularly fascinating as this was all completely new to me and, so critically important in helping to understand the capabilities of a vessel through the water. I promise the shape will be prioritized over the extra stern bedroom!

 The time spent on Le Coq was far easier and enjoyable this time around than the original IWHC in May as, I had time to process a lot of the information Calvin imparted over those two days. My trophy moment was hearing the lock keeper at Temple praise my entry and berthing. A little ego boost is never a bad thing especially after previous very mediocre attempts in May.

The Power Level 2 was also fascinating and trying out a new type of craft (the RIB) was a useful contrast to maneuvering the barge the day before. Reversing into a berth at the marina and the high speed run nearby really highlighted the difference in the 2 craft.

 Thanks for making the experience so enjoyable. As I mentioned, I’ll attempt to write up a piece for the DBA magazine on the Experience Day and Level 2 course with a slant that, existing ‘experienced’ boaters could benefit from spending a day or 3, topping-up their skills that you and Calvin have taught me.

 With best wishes, Nick

Friday 4 July 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi Peter, 

Many thanks for our 2-day course - it was a great couple of day and we learnt so much from it, and even had the confidence to take our daughter out for the first time on the boat, at the weekend. 

Thanks again for all your advice and tuition!

With best wishes, Paula

Wednesday 2 July 2025 - Boat Experience Day

Good morning,

I want to share with you our very positive feedback about our day’s instruction with Gaius. My wife and I are novices. We’ve just taken ownership of our sports cruiser on The Thames.  

Gaius endured record heat to ensure my diary wasn’t disrupted and that we could go ahead as planned.  He was extremely knowledgeable, as his pedigree would suggest.  He was patient and had impressive resilience given both the extreme temperatures and our novice handling!  

Perhaps most importantly, he was good company. It’s not everyone who can put a couple of strangers at ease on the confined space of a boat all day!

Thank you to Gaius, George and Natalie 

Monday 16 June 2025 - RYA Powerboat Level 1+2 course

Good afternoon,

Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the Level 2 power boat handling course I attended last week. Bruce is a very engaging instructor, professional and incredibly knowledgeable. It was a pleasure learning from him and overall it was a very rewarding experience that exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend!

 With best wishes , David

Thursday 12 June 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hey Peter

Just wanted to say thanks to you guys for a fun couple of days.  I wish I’d had time to take advantage of your extensive knowledge, but as I near 70 there really wasn’t time!

Joking aside, I felt that the challenge I’d set myself was well served by the course you put together, and Calvin was the perfect facilitator to make it real. Life, as they say, is a journey.  And my time on the Thames riding Le Coq was memorable and rewarding.  

Please say a big thank you to Calvin

Kind Regards, Stu

Wednesday 22 May 2025 - Boat Experience Day

Home and relaxed after an amazing day with your team and onboard the lovely Sula!  

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the day and big thanks to Bruce and Peter for being really engaging, excellent hosts,  teachers and mentors for the day. Bruce drew the short straw and had me as a shipmate! Thanks Bruce - I got a huge amount from the session and feel really encouraged to hit the river!  

I would also like to return for the second day, or maybe do the whole 2 days start to finish during the summer. 

Again, great team a real credit to the school!

Thanks for having me, James.

Monday 12 May 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi Peter

The course was just what I needed.  I’ve been on the barge in France for two weeks now. 

The first was with the owner and we made a 4 day trip up river from Auxerre. The locks are a lot narrower upriver! But I think I’ve got the hang of it.  He wanted me to use the bow thrusters but I resisted, most of the time. One day they will fail..

I used the ferry glide several times and this was a technique not known to the owner who is mostly a sailor, and whilst it’s a bit slower than driving straight into the quay it is very elegant and controlled. 

Thanks again, the course taught me lots of things and i feel confident to skipper the barge myself, when the ICC comes through.

 Kind regards, Paul

Monday 29 April 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Dear Peter 

I had an excellent time thank you. I thought the balance of useful information, practical hands-on learning and enjoyment was absolutely bang on!

Many thanks

Nick

Monday 14 April 2025 - RYA First Aid Course

Dear Peter, Julie and Jane 

I would just like to say how impressed I was with yesterdays 1st Aid Course, Tim's  knowledgeable on all aspects of First Aid was astounding!, every time someone asked a question he gave an extremely well considered and thoughtful reply. 

Tim managed to keep the attention of all 12 participants all day, I was very impressed at the end of the course how Tim managed to give all of the certificates out to the correct people without asking their names, having only heard them once when everyone introduced themselves at the start of the course.

I would recommend anyone looking for a first aid course to book through Bisham Abbey Sailing School the location, facilities and knowledge of the instructors are second to none.

Kind regards

Mike

14 April 2025 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Just a quick note to say many thanks for last 2 days Peter. Super professional, great learning environment and most of all thoroughly enjoyable. All the advice, tit-bits around wider understanding of owning, buying and keeping a boat, also much appreciated.

 Will be in touch about Cevni and Diesel course in due course.

Thanks again, Matt

19 February 2025 - RYA FIRST AID

Thank you for an excellent training session yesterday.

Tim, our instructor, was first class – a wealth of knowledge expertly relayed to the students.  Very clearly articulated.  Course content very good.  Enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere.  For me, the one downside was the day was too long – maybe a health thing, I was much brighter in the AM session than the PM.

Overall, certainly to be recommended and good value for cost & time.

John

11 December 2024 - RYA VHF Radio Classroom course

Afternoon Peter....a brief note of appreciation for providing the above course at Bisham Abbey Sailing School: a rewarding day made hugely enjoyable by Gaius and Tom. Every aspect of the syllabus was delivered with clarity, positivity and good humor ensuring the best possible chance of success.

My grateful thanks to them both.

Jeremy

8 December 2024 - RYA VHF Radio Classroom course

Peter,

It was a long day! As ever excellent course well taught by Gaius and examined by Tom. Lots of new learning for me which was presented in an easy to digest format.

 Many thanks Andy

28 August 2024 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi Peter and the team at Bisham Abbey Sailing School.

I just wanted to pass on a quick note of thanks for delivering such a great experience over the past two days while I was taking my IWHC. I appreciated the warm welcome I received on both days as well as the high quality of instruction. In my short time in boating I have found from time to time there is a slightly aggressive / condescending attitude that can come in situations where you are presenting as someone without experience. I was very pleased with how open and inviting the whole environment of the course was.

In particular, I thought Calvin did an excellent job of creating a calm environment which was very conducive to learning, and moreover allowed us to treat each mistake as an opportunity for learning in an open and positive way.

Thanks again to the entire team. It was an excellent experience and I will recommend you to anyone who is looking for instruction in the future.

Rob

Wednesday 21 August 2024 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi Peter, 

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the two day IWHC course. It was exactly what my wife and I needed to build our confidence and broaden our horizons when using our boat. I particularly appreciated all the hints and tips about boating in general, our boat, and use of the river that went above and beyond the syllabus.

Thanks, Nick

Wednesday 7 August 2024 - RYA Powerboat Level 1+2 Course

Dear Peter, 

Thank you for the link to the ICC application.

 As regards feedback: “My son and I really enjoyed our two days with the Bisham Abbey Sailing School. Bruce was a great teacher who managed to not only cram much academic and practical material into our allotted time but also to make fun and engaging, even for a teenager!”

 Many thanks, Stephan

Friday 19 July 2024 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi there,  

We just had our RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman course with Calvin and just wanted to sing his praises. He was an excellent instructor, helpful, understanding and patient. We would highly recommend him and Bisham Abbey Sailing school in general. 

Thanks a lot,  Ema and Alex  

Friday 12 July 2024 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi

I just wanted to say a big thanks to all at Bisham Abbey, I enrolled on a RYA Helmsmans course which was very informative and despite having had some sort of boat or other on the river for probably the last 40 years, it was really helpful.

Thanks to Kevan for your expert advice and best of luck with the new dog.

I’ll be enrolling on my next course soon.

Regards Rupert

Walton Boat Hire.

Thursday - 4 July 2024 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Neil and I had booked to undertake the ICC Inland Waters on our own boat, and had the bonus of Peter May as instructor for the two day course on the 1st /2nd July 2024.  At the end of our two days we not only passed, but felt so much more confident in our ability to not only handle the boat, but have so much more understanding and knowledge about cruising on the river Thames. The pace of the course was relaxed, and enjoyable, albeit full of exercises and learning. 

Granville 

Tuesday 2 July 2024 - RYA Powerboat level 1+2 Course

I just wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed my course last week. Bruce was an excellent instructor and was able to pass on lots of knowhow. Even when the boat broke down, we used it as an opportunity to practice some knots and do the part of the syllabus that covers towing! I’ve been boating for years - but found lots of the course useful and of interest.

 Please pass on my thanks to Bruce - and the rest of the team who were all very friendly.

Warm regards, Tim

Tuesday 2 July 2024 - Boat Experience Day

Hi Peter

 Just a quick email to say thank you to Kevan who saw me through my day at Bisham. I admit I was a little bit nervous  - I am quite happy for Paul to be the skipper! However, because of a medical hiccup we thought it best if I understood a little more about the boat. The day whizzed by and Kevan totally put me at my ease. I learnt such a lot and I think even I would say that my confidence grew leaps and bounds during the day - I just need to keep practicing! 

Thank you so much for a really good day - I think Paul enjoyed it as well and also learnt a few new things!

Thank you once again.

Kind regards,  Tracey

Monday 10 June 2024 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hello all

I have just completed the Helmsman's course at Bisham Abbey and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The instructors are kind and helpful with a great knowledge of the river and I would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn how to drive a boat, or refresh their skills. Thanks team!

Kind regards, Andy