Feedback to Dec 2010100% of our customers recently said that our instruction was 'good' or 'very good'. Read the feedback analysis for an independent review.
Another letter of thanks from RYA to John Parlane
Previous letter of thanks from RYA to John Parlane
Latest theory course feedback
Radar 2011
Relaxed but efficient methods of teaching based on the ability of the students to absorb the info. The course was custom fit for me. One to one attention on own equipment.
Yachtmaster Ocean 2011
As always, the course was presented in very strong practical application terms. Celestial navigation appeared daunting, but was presented in a very enjoyable and understandable manner. Good atmosphere; John was very patient and never made me feel embarassed about asking any question. I started with no knowledge or experience of celestial navigation. I now feel confident to use these skills.
VHF 2011
The course was both informal & informative & very interesting. It would be difficult to improve. Overall, excellent. Extremely well organised. Good balance of lecture style and practical. Good use of posters. It gave me considerable confidence in the way the VHF should be used esp. in Maydays & Pan-Pans. Practical use of the VHF radios. How interesting and how much you can do with a radio. Friendly & informative. Tea & biscuits. The practical nature with dummy radios. Increased my knowledge about the subject. It opened my eyes to a lot of things. Hands on. Perfect for my level.
December/January/February/March/May/June 2011
VHF radio course- "what did you most like about the course?"
The knowledge of the Instructor & friendly atmosphere-Course was excellent. Taught by a seasoned sailor who was able to bring the reality of using VHF on board to life. Friendly, relaxed, supportive, helpful approach of instructor. Use of DSC radios. Very well structured. Instructor was not led astray by questions asked early in the course which were better answered later in the programme when candidates had better knowledge. Clarity of explanations/resources used. Practical exercises. Clear and careful presentation. Patience of instructor. Using the VHF equipment. Getting a license! The hands-on practice & quizzes. Coffee. All of it. Not possible to improve the course! Learning about the subject and passing the qualification. Good pace, constructive, practical, very good.
Many thanks-John like all good teachers adapts & evolves his methods for his students. Yachtmaster-an excellent course! Excellent instructor with patience of a saint! John is accommodating & keen to help in any way.
September/October/November 2010
"Just a quick email to thank you very much for making a potentially very difficult course/subject very accessible, enjoyable and fun. I appreciate that you must have given up many weekends and must do loads of work in the background as well, to run such courses. So thanks again, I am chuffed to bits in gaining my Day Skipper (shorebased) Cert. Worth every penny!!!"
In answer to the question: 'What, if anything did you most like about the course?' our clients responded:
"Good pace, friendly, helpful."
"Good pace, everyone's interest was maintained."
"Good interaction, everyone kept involved."
"Good atmosphere. Fun to do, lots of practical aids. Very encouraging."
Sailing course feedback (what our clients most liked about the course)
July/August/September 2011 Levels 1,2,3
The encouragement! Positive and encouraging instructor who created a good learning environment. It was OK to make mistakes & admit you didn't know the answers. Also the others on the course were helpful. Better understanding of control lines & sail curvature; control of boat to moorings. Excellent tuition. Found john very patient & thorough. Practical. John's patience! Gaining more confidence on the water. Teamwork-supportive tutor & team. Practical sailing. Plenty of opportunity to practise skills & then to revisit them afterwards in theory session. The attitude & enthusiasm of the instructor.
June 2011 Keelboat level 1&2
The instructor! Parking! Instructions. Even pace, freedom to learn and test idea, a good sail, lots of hints & tips. Good mix of theory and practical work, instructor knew when to intervene and when to leave student to work it out for themselves. How the instructor teaches & coaches to bring theory & practice together. Balance between practical & theory-John's keenness to let/make us practise the skills. Presented in a professional & friendly manner.
April/May 2011 Keelboat Level 1&2
John is always stretching you, re-inforcing what you have learned & is very positive & encouraging-excellent! John's positive approach-very encouraging. The practical experience & John's energetic tuition. Skill of instructor in coaching to help improve my knowledge/skills. Feeling comfortable that help was always there to ensure skills were being put to use properly. Having theory sessions AM and then putting that knowledge into practice on the water. The simple way of presenting complex things. The sailing! Lily is a super training boat.
September 2010 Keelboat Levels 1&2
"John made it very easy to understand. Very relaxed, no pressure. The variety of techniques available and needed, in order to sail in differing weather. The friendly atmosphere onboard Lily. The course was excellent and I look forward to chartering the new addition to the fleet next summer."
August 2010 Keelboat Levels 1, 2, 3 & Seamanship Skills
"Tailored to my needs & interests. This course was my first experience of sailing on the sea. I will certainly be back for more. The safety aspects of sea sailing were very well taught. Mix of theory and practical sailing practice-just right. Thank you! All excellent. Very good equipment ie. boat, safety gear, engines, lifejackets. Everything-good theoretical knowledge imparted well and practical experience was superb."
July 2010 Keelboat Levels 1 & 2.
"Enjoying learning new things having done lots of sailing already. The sailing and man over board and a lovely instructor. John was a really good instructor and the practical was great. Learning new terminology and skills."
100% of these customers said: "I would recommend this course to another person" and "I enjoyed the course very much".
June 2010 Keelboat Levels 1 & 2
"Relaxed approach encouraging inter-active participation. Good mix of theory and practical. Relaxed learning environment, very patient tutor. Weather good, instructor very patient made for rapid advancement. Can't wait for level 2. John was very supportive, used a variety of methods of teaching. Great time, will be back!"
May 2010 Keelboat Levels 1 & 2
"Thank you for last week, I had a fantastic time. You were very patient with me and I soon lost my fears. Lily is beautiful. I keep seeing you out on her. I'm telling everybody to look out for her. Great experience in a relaxed environment. Brilliant time, thanks. Excellent. Brilliant experience, booked on for level 2. Learnt an enormous amount – looking forward to learning more!"
April 2010 Keelboat Levels 1 & 2
"Excellent instruction both theory and practice, Excellent instructor. MHYC are very lucky to have this standard of trainer. Positive clear instructions given confidently. A very good role model. Very thorough – thank you for the experience. I loved the interactive classroom tasks. We were made to feel very welcome & quickly settled in. John delivered a good mix of classroom & practical skills with good debrief afterwards. A good learning experience."
Cruising Scheme (Comp Crew to Yachtmaster)
"...I put a wee thank you note in to Scotsail, but it bears saying again, We had a really great five days, learning and fun, and thank you very much from both of us..."
"...we thought we should give you an update on our spinnaker activities having just used it for the first time since your tutorial, and got our best ever result as a consequence! Armed with your expertise we finished 6th out of 15, and beat all but 1 of the 8 flying fifteens. Normally we come last. Thanks for your expert tuition which made it seem straightforward..."
"...Thanks for the best week's sailing I can remember - great boat, good winds, shipmates and, above all, a brilliant skipper...You are such an excellent trainer and I learnt so much from your teaching style..."
"...I just wanted to thank you again for giving me such a great time on board. I enjoyed it enormously, learnt a vast amount and thought you had an exceptional ability to teach!.."
"...I think it's fair to say that our week aboard exceeded both our expectations... helped along by great company and an enthusiastic skipper. I think you must have the patience of a saint, as there were times when I felt far from 'competent' but I'm confident that it will all come flooding back when we next get on board!.."
Shorebased course feedback comments
July 2010 VHF Radio
Excellent course, very informative, relaxed conditions for learning. Concise instruction, good teaching props, relaxed atmosphere. Thank you, see you next time.
Earlier courses: (Day Skipper, Coastal/Yachmaster, Ocean, First Aid & Diesel Engine
Relaxed friendly atmosphere, good participation, small class. Very friendly reception as a stranger (to the club). Very well taught, open constructive discussion. Good use of radios, good hands on experience, very knowledgeable instructor. Very well prepared, very knowledgeable. Makes a rather 'dry' topic quite enjoyable & appropriate. Relaxed course, made to feel welcome.
Training was very good. John was very approachable and helpful. Instructor gave extremely good explanations - Quality of instruction was fantastic.
Very enjoyable and agreeable atmosphere. Great instructor who is patient & ... able to explain. Excellent practical 'hands-on' experience with radios. Patient instruction, very knowledgeable. Good, clear explanations and diagrams to supplement the notes. A relaxed but informative delivery with practical explanations. Excellent equipment & instruction.
Thoroughly enjoyed the course and felt John superbly adapted and evolved his teaching methods to the needs of his students.
Diesel-Really excellent course, worth every penny.
