Hello,
I just wanted to say “thanks” for the last
minute rental on Wednesday – I was impressed
that you had sea kayaks and not “recreational”
boats. My wife and I had a great paddle – we
rounded the tip of the bird sanctuary island
only to realize that we couldn’t circumnavigate
the island without going through breaking waves,
so we turned around to be safe. We look forward
to returning to Folly Beach and taking some open
water classes and getting more experience in the
surf. We’ll definitely recommend your company
to people in our kayak clubs.
Thanks again, Tim
Tim Newton
Hydrologist / Geotechnical Engineer 10/06
Dear Tom,
I wanted to thank you for the great
experience I had in the four days I spent at
OceanAir Sea Kayak improving and learning my sea
kayaking skills. The experience was all I could
have hoped for -- and more.
As you know, I'm an international journalist
and as a result have had the opportunity to
travel quite a bit. As part of my travels, I've
had the chance to kayak in four countries
including several spots in the U.S. In that
time, I've had a bit of instruction here and
there, but none that can compare to what I got
out of your classes. You are an excellent
teacher, patient and attentive, with a style
that helps build confidence naturally and
easily. The time you took to fit me with the
right boat and the right gear was greatly
appreciated and added immeasurably to the
experience.
The progression you brought me through --
stroke development, swift-water practice,
assisted rescue, introduction to surf and the
final tour of Charleston harbor in what were
challenging conditions for me -- was the perfect
pace for me with all the elements someone
learning the sport could look for.
I can't recommend your school highly enough
to anyone who may want to either get into sea
kayaking for the first time or develop the
skills they already have.
Thanks again for the fun and the knowledge
you imparted and I look forward to paddling with
you again.
Best wishes,
Chuck Jackson
Paris, France 8/06
Thanks for a great trip. I appreciated your being right on
time, and fitting me with a choice of new, high quality equipment.
The trip we took was both challenging and fun, and you offered
a good balance of instruction, suggestions and conversation,
balanced out with some quiet time to enjoy the beauty of the
sea and the harbor. I can't wait to come back again.
John Perlman 4/06 (BCU 4* Journey)
OceanAir Sea kayak made our spring break extremely enjoyable by providing lots of information on the area, professional advise and a friendly atmosphere. I would recommend O.A.S.K. to any college or professional group that is looking for a kayak adventure in SC.
Grant Gosch
Director of Outdoor Center
Mars Hill College 3/06
I want to say how much I enjoyed
that course a few weeks ago - and
receiving
your instructions on a one-to-one basis (due to my hearing impairment)
was
the right decision, and also a bonus. I have just received three books
ordered on the subject, and feel well equipped to progress on my own. If
I
am back in this area in one year's time, I would very much like to have
another, more advanced, one-day course.
Sincerely,
Phil Dupre
Tom was an outstanding instructor. He was very professional and covered the course outline to the letter. This was not easy for him because we have a tendency to change the subject often and make jokes constantly. He always brought us back on course, and did so like a true navigator. Tom was pleasant and cheerful throughout our time with him. He was a wealth of kayaking knowledge and is eager to share this knowledge with others. He did this without an attitude of greatness but one of equality with his fellow kayakers.
I would like to say that Tom had a lot of self-control. You might ask why I say this. When we returned to Mass. we realized that the watch we were going by was at least 20 minutes slow. So when we showed up for the class, we were late every day, and thought we were early. Tom never said a word (I wish he had). Thank you for the experience I will never forget!
Gary Balestrieri
Plum Island Kayak
Just a quick note to say
thanks again for an enjoyable and productive learning session with you
on Friday. That three hours showed me more , and more correctly,
about what to do in a kayak than five years of self-instruction had
afforded. I'm glad I took the plunge and I'd be happy to get in
another session some day soon.
Patrick Cabe, Ph.D.
Just a word of thanks to you
and your folks in particular Steven and Carroll.
Other than not being able to lift my legs the next day, it
was a fantastic experience - and Steven was just great. Not
only do you have a great product to sell -- sea kayaking -
but you've got some fantastic folks working with you who you
should be most proud of. My plans are to lake Murry
for a few weeks with the knowledge that I shouldn't drown
if I capsize (I even have an idea of how to use the paddle
float technique to get myself back in the boat) and then schedule
another lesson with you guys. If you ever need a letter
of ref. have em call me. Thanks again and look forward to
my next adventure!
John Wayne Parrish, Jr. 9/05
Greetings!
Thank you SO much
for the incredible journey this past Sunday. Jason and I had a
wonderful time and I am eager to get on the water again!Best of luck
to you and can’t wait to join you soon on another kayak adventure!
Kind regards,
Laura Kate Whitney 1/06
Manager, Decor &
Design
We just want to thank you again for the challenging weekend and we
are actually glad that the Saturday morning didn't work out as planned
because after the Sat. afternoon hours we were pretty tired...to do the
3 h trip on Sunday morning was just perfect.
We will decide this week what paddles we buy...hard decision...but
thanks to you we know that we will need longer ones...and we are still
hanging on the wooden paddles...well see and let you know.
I will attach the few pics we made, probably not that good as yours
but we will learn to handle taking pictures while paddling...we have to
;-)...exercise...exercise....exercise...
Thanks again and we wish you a wonderful week.
Gunnar & Jacqueline (Germany)
I just wanted to say thanks for the great instruction I had while in SC.
Stephen was very knowledgeable and he has a good teaching style. It was
very much worth the money. I will recommend such training trips to all
the aspiring kayakers I know here in Michigan.
Regards,
R. Bruce Bissell
Royal Oak, Mi.
Thanks for the
stroke and maneuver, rescue class on Sunday. I
really enjoyed the day!
There were alot of
strokes covered and I still have a long way to
go on most of them. But, I retained a
couple more in my head and I am anxious to get
out and practice them. I especially enjoyed the
towing portion of the class. That was completely
new to me, and realize how important that it
could be someday. The class was great! Thanks
again!
Julie Feeley
8/06
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I was very impressed with Tom's method of demonstrating a skill, explaining it, and then demonstrating it again. This was extremely effective. We were able to improve our technique very quickly, because as we practiced our new skills, Tom regularly offered useful, specific feedback. The curriculum was well organized, and Tom's ability to quickly size up our ability level allowed us to cover a lot of material in just one day. Tom is an effective teacher, and an all-around nice guy who is genuinely interested in helping students succeed.
Al Hammock
Tallahassee, FL
I'm so glad I took the Surf Zone class with Tom. At first, I was very nervous about paddling in the waves, but Tom clearly explained what to do. When I got on the water, he was nearby, coaching me through the whole thing. Now I have a lot more confidence about bracing and surfing. Not only is this class a lot of fun, but it's absolutely essential for anyone kayaking in a coastal environment. I used to avoid waves and beach landings, and now I am seeking them out. I can't wait to get to the beach again.
Lisa Cashulette
Tallahassee, FL
Just a note
to thank you for the great instruction prior to the Florida
symposium. The two days were terrific; you pushed me to do things
out of my comfort zone but in a patient matter that gave me
heightened confidence in my abilities. It was especially good
to learn more up-to-date rescue techniques. Your professional
yet friendly and encouraging teaching style and your thorough
and clear explanations on navigation were exactly what I was
looking for, but didn’t really believe I’d find
in one instructor. I look forward to more sessions with you.
See you on the water!
Steve
I would like to thank you for the recent beginners kayak class I took
with you a few weeks ago. The next week-end after the class I went on a
trip with the local paddling club and I would have been floundering
around the entire trip if I had not taken the class first. I was able to
use all the different strokes you taught and was comfortable on the
water. I look forward to future classes when the weather warms up.
Thanks,
Bill
First, I want to thank you for the excellent instruction in
Florida. I learned a great deal during the 3 star exam. Your
kind, supportive manner and your skilled instructional approach
were very helpful.
I wanted to take your 4 star class, but that day I had dog sitting
duties. But I did listen to your onshore lecture, even took
some pictures. And last Saturday I was on Lake Michigan in a
bit of a blow--the biggest waves I have ever faced in a kayak--and
remembered your demonstration of how to brace on the wave. I'm
sure I missed some of the finer points, but I did remember enough
to keep the bottom of the kayak facing the water and the top
toward the sky. Thanks.
The web address for the Great Lakes Sea Kayaking Symposium is
http://www.glsks.org/.
This link doesn't always work the first time. The symposium
is July 14-17. We will be there, dog too.
Attached is a picture of your lecture
Hope you're having a good season.
Aaron Stander
I certainly enjoyed our training session on the sea kayak this
morning. I believe that it more than addressed my needs, as I saw them,
and as a beginner. It also encouraged me to continue to pursue sea
kayaking specifically as well as kayaking as a sport generally. No
matter which kind of equipment I might use it certainly helped me to
enjoy the activity both with increased expertise and enjoyment.
I
have been on other equipment but the sea kayak seemed an exceptionally
good challenge as well as providing an exciting sport I will certainly,
on the basis of this mornings activities, continue to follow up with
additional training opportunities as they present themselves.
Warren
G. Warren McCarl MD, MPH, MS
I hope this finds you well and rested from last weekend's Symposium. I
just wanted to drop you a short note to thank you and let you know how
much I learned from you. You certainly have the gift of teaching, and I
heard that from others, as well. Thank you for 'learnin' us lots' in
such a fun and enjoyable way.
I'm heading out to the water now to practice that doggone backwards
figure eight. Thanks again!
Best regards,
Carol J. Perry
Forester
Forest Inventory & Analysis, USDA Forest Service PO Box 2680 200 Weaver
Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28802
Thanks for the
effort, support and sea karma. 2006 Circumnavigation of
Shuyak set a standard for safety and expedition behavior
you can all be proud of; not that I could judge it since
I'm too close to it, but it seemed pretty fun and
amazing to me.
We've been discussing a 7 day trip next
year, perhaps over the 4th (for more sun?!).Have a great
summer
Best,
TP
--Alaska Kayak School
P.O. Box 3547
Homer, Alaska 99603
Thanks
so much for the excellent experience on Saturday! The
real life, in-tour training combined with excellent
weather conditions made for great, wow, and a yahoo fun
time! It's hard to pick any one thing as a highlight,
but paddling along the jetty was so cool! As usual, your
easy going yet professional manner was very reassuring
and bolsters confidence. I'm looking forward to more
tour and learning experiences soon!
Good
paddling with ya and see you on the water soon!
Dan
Ogren
Charleston, SC 12/06
Tom,
Just a quick note to say I truly enjoyed your
instruction on Saturday and the "surprise " tour
on Sunday. I'm pumped to have learned many new
paddling strokes, appreciated your teaching
style (definitely your niche) and your
enthusiasm for the sport and the Charleston
area. I loved the variation of water we had on
Sunday! I want to be able to paddle in surf
next. I know, I know...needs some work !
Thanks again Tom. See you soon., paddle on.....
Blake
Christoffersen 2/07
I was
practicing a few days ago and after one or two bad roll attempts,
knocked off about ten straight. What really works for me,
and what you stressed, is to follow the sweeping paddle with
my eyes and my torso. Then it always is successful.
David
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