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

Friday 24 May 2024 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

Hi all
Just like to thank Peter and BASNS for a wonderful course ... Peters delivery of the course was both refreshing and easy to understand and with a very likeable manner and obviously a dedicated professional he immediately put you at ease which makes it a pleasurable learning curve in fantastic settings. I feel a hundred times more confident in my approach having taken this course and spent time learning with Peter May and BASNS. Any further marine qualifications I intend to take going forward and BASC will be my only port of call 

Thanks Peter and all at BASNS.

Cheers Garry

Thursday 09 May 2024- RYA VHF Radio Course

Hi Peter & team, 

Thanks for a great day. My feedback is only positive. The instructor and examiner were both highly knowledgeable and approachable, the set up at the school was spot on and the timings were as communicated.  

I booked just a week before the event, so I didn't receive the pre-read beforehand, but that was more than understandable. When it does turn up, I will return the unused book to the school. Oliver

Friday 26 April 2024 - RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course

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