RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course - Friday 26 April 2024

Dear Peter, 

Thanks once again for such an informative yet informally presented course. I loved the way that you break down the course into bite-size or in my case and at my age, “brain-sized” chunks which makes it so easy to understand both the skills being taught and the physics behind those skills. I always get worried as a relatively new boater about handling a boat quite so big, ie 58ft long and 36 tonnes in weight, but I was surprised at it being more manageable than a baby’s pram in reality. I also like the way you teach the course both in theoretical aspects and practical, never being demanding or judgemental. The fact that you just let students get on with the practical parts of the boat handling is very inspirational and has built a lot more self confidence in my abilities, and now I have seen that I can handle such a big boat I am quite sure that it will reflect in my handling of the smaller ribs and cabin boats I have so far been getting some experience on since I retired last year.

This was my second course with you, the previous one being the CEVNI for the inland waterways of Europe, but so far out of all the course I have done with yourself or other instructors down on the coast, this has been the most rewarding and enjoyable course I have done, so much so that I already booked another experience day on the Sula, which is your second largest boat in the fleet at Bisham Abbey Sailing School. Of course, after the initial CEVNI course, I had already booked a Rib experience day with you, which is also coming up, and I am quite sure that will improve my Rib handling skills and correct any mistakes I have been making with them through applying the physics of ferry gliding skills, etc.

 I look forward to both courses for which I have specifically requested to have you as my Instructor, as I find you so easy going to get along with.

No doubt after that, I will also be looking forward to gaining more experience under your instruction.

It was good to work with other students on the Inland waterways course, as it makes it easier to see we all make mistakes at times, but also work to help each other on the course, without judging each other.

Lastly, it was good to meet and make other new friends on this last course with regards to the other students,  for which we exchanged contact details, and no doubt will buddy up with for more sailing experiences in the future. 

Best wishes and hope to see you again very soon. Nigel

Wednesday 24 April 2024 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Dear Peter, 

Many thanks for this and  a super couple of days on the water. Kate and I found the course extremely helpful as well as enjoyable. Please pass on our thanks to Kevan - a really excellent instructor and equally good company. We now feel better prepared and more confident for our next waterways adventures. Thank you!

 With best wishes, Bill

Thursday 01 February 2024 - RYA First Aid Course

Dear Peter

I just wanted to feed back after attending the RYA First Aid yesterday at Bisham Abbey, led by Tom. After having attended over twenty first aid courses during my lifetime, I honestly think that yesterday’s course was the most engaging, informative and enjoyable course I have attended.

 THANK YOU to yourself for squeezing me onto the course on behalf of an ABT volunteer; THANK YOU to lovely Julie for communicating with me so efficiently; and finally a BIG THANK YOU to Tom for engaging his audience, in what can be a dull subject, with his inspiring wealth of first aid knowledge, nicely blended with practical skills and the necessary ‘formal’ education, making it a very informative day.

 Many thanks, yours Denise

Tuesday 21 November 2023 - RYA Dayskipper Theory Course

Good afternoon  

Perhaps the best compliment I can pay to the Day Skipper theory course is to say that I really enjoyed it. Tim paced the intensive course very well with it all coming together over the last two days. His instructional technique was excellent in getting across some complex concepts in a logical and easy way to understand.

 The training centre, whilst basic, has a warm friendly ambiance providing a good learning environment. Thanks to all concerned.

Best wishes, James

Friday 20 October 2023 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Brilliant two days tuition suitable for any level boater wanting to improve their knowledge and helmsman skills. 

I feel I am an experienced boater, having driven boats for many years. Peter took the time to observe my knowledge and my weak points to help him deliver a first class, full on, bespoke helmsman course that was both very informative and thoroughly enjoyable. A great two days of advice and expert tuition. I would have happily stayed for a whole week!

Highly recommend this training centre. Thank you... Ken J

Monday 9 October 2023 - RYA First Aid Course

Dear Peter

 I attended the above course last Friday. As this was the first time for me I was expecting the day to be challenging. I could not have been more wrong. Tom managed to get across all the key information in an extremely friendly, engaging and informative manner. He also showed great empathy in handling all the questions which he did so in a patient and understanding manner such that it became a truly two-way learning process.

 I would strongly recommend the course to anyone who has not been on one before purely on the basis that you never know when such knowledge and practical skills may one day be used to help save someone’s life.  Please pass on my thanks to Tom and the organizers of the course for providing such a worthwhile experience.

 Kind regards. Charles

Monday 9 October 2023 - RYA Powerboat Level 1+2 Course

Hi Peter,

I attended an RYA PB2 course at Bisham, held last week. This was a really well organized course with land based items at a minimum and the emphasis all on the water. Any queries were dealt with quickly and very satisfactorily. There were 3 of us on the course which was a perfect number to enable everyone lots of time for practice and build a great team and fully cover the syllabus. It was also lots of fun with many laughs along the way. This course is to be thoroughly recommended.

Many thanks, Paul

Friday 6 October 2023 - RYA Powerboat Level 1+2 course

Huge thanks to all at Bisham Abbey Sailing school for my recent 2 day RYA Level 1 & 2 Powerboat Course. Excellent facilities both off and on the River with brilliant Instruction from the hugely experienced and knowledgeable Peter who delivered the syllabus (and much more besides) in a clear and highly professional as well as very enjoyable manner.

 Happy & Safe Boating! Gary

Monday 25 September 2023 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Dear Julie,

Many thanks to Peter and the team for guiding me through 2 days of enlightenment and fun to achieve a successful outcome. Peter has tremendous experience and knowledge which he imparts with gentle and never-ending enthusiasm. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and positive 2 days. Thanks for everything.”

Best regards, Nigel   

19 September 2023 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course & RYA VHF Radio Course

Peter, Julie,

We wanted to write to say that Bernie was a wonderful instructor. He was patient with us and firm enough so that we feel confident in our ability to drive our barge on the canals, rivers, and through the locks in France and hopefully throughout western Europe.  Bernie's calm demeanor and unflappability is a model that Janet and I will both attempt to emulate. Please extend our thanks and best wishes to him (and Patty) for the wonderful training. And let him know we were very happy with the second two-day class as that solidified a lot of what he taught and that we think we have integrated into our muscle memory.

We also wanted to drop a line and say how pleased we were with Gaius and Tom and the VHF Radio class. I'm not sure how much of it we will use on the inland waterways in the EU but I feel a lot more confident now regarding the use and operation of the radio. The distance and power training was new to both Janet and I and it helps to know why we don't use high power!

Take care and please thank, Bernie, Gaius and Tom for us.

Julie, we really appreciate all your help and guidance and we'll probably bother you again if we can't figure out what happened to our radio licenses!

Andy and Janet

29 August 2023 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

The service received from RYA Bisham Abbey Team from the enquiry stage to the booking was first class.  Excellent customer service all the way. This was then followed by on the Boat Training from Peter that covered so much more than anticipated   Especially as we encountered boat engines problems and crew incidents.   With the help of Peter we managed to resolve all and  have a fabulous time on the river 

From complete novices we finished up competent to drive and handle the newly purchased boat   

Thank you again Peter 
Regards 

Carol  - Thanks for your patience 

7 August 2023 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

My husband and I acquired our first boat in October 2022.

What little experience we possessed between us, was thick with cobwebs, so to ensure the safety of other boaters, professional tuition was a must.  Our instructor for the two- day IWHC was Peter May who we found to be very professional throughout.  He was patient, friendly, and very knowledgeable, when teaching the skills, we needed to know, and the methods employed to achieve them.  As a result, my confidence (which had been cowering in a locker) has emerged, ready and willing to get out and practice.

I am in no doubt that without it, we would have spent the next few seasons, stumbling our way through boat handling, in the hope we were getting it right. I would have no hesitation in advising anyone new to the river, to undertake professional tuition.  It is worth every penny! 

Thank you so much Peter.

Ceri & Martin

12 July 2023 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Dear Peter 

Many thanks to you! We had a great day ... very enjoyable  and we learned a great deal. Very educational. The new tricks of helmsmanship you taught us will be invaluable - thank you!!

All best wishes

John

22 June 2023 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi Peter

I must say that I enjoyed your course and recommend it as a solid base, even for experienced water people. What I really liked about the course apart from the friendly and relaxed delivery of information was the chance to hear and be shown methods of describing some of what is basic procedures; as I was in the position of teaching the same to my crew of my own boat on the canals in France and Germany. Driving Le Coq in the currents was also an experience that I hadn’t experienced in Tasmania as we generally are dealing with tides and seas of a different nature.

I have just returned to Tasmania and thoroughly enjoyed the boating experience while away. I will be back next year for more of the same.

Wishing you happy boating, Regards Stuart

9 June 2023 - RYA Powerboat Level 1+2

Thank you both for a great two days. Great location, nice format, fun on the river and excellent patient instruction from Peter.

Look forward to more boating adventures Regards Seamus

8 June 2023 - RYA Powerboat Level 1+2

Dear Peter

Thank you for your course After 2 days of both hands on and classroom training we realized just how little we knew. We came away feeling confident and capable of handling a powerboat safely and efficiently. The facilities and setting were the ideal training venue and the small group allows lots of time for questions and guidance ensuring we properly understood what was was being explained. Thank you to you and your team. And in the words of the Terminator, Arnold Swarzenaeger  « I’ll be back! ». Already looking forward to the next level.

Regards, Gloria

24 May 2023 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Dear Julie,

 Thoroughly enjoyed the IWHC course with Bernie - great experience. Beautiful setting and inspiring tuition. Thank you for all your help.

 Best wishes

 Anne -  PS great accommodation at Bisham Abbey.  For future reference I got a good rate through Booking.com.