Testimonials
"Dear Steve, Thanks again for organising and delivering the Moderate Water Endorsement Assessment. I felt, as with all your courses, that I had come away having learnt a very great deal."
Andrew Dziemian, Senior Outdoor Instructor, Outward Bound Trust, Ullswater.
"Hi Steve, I just wanted to say thank you so much for both the 4* training course and this weekend's assessment, I got a huge amount from it. Your manner throughout your courses is relaxing - incredibly calming, but most of all always 100% professional. Your ability to put me at ease in the situations where my HR is double what it should be is fantastic. You push to get the best from people without them even knowing they are doing it. Thank you once again for all your hard work and patience - must be tough work! Thank you so much."
Rachel Platt, Outdoor Education Teacher, Heysham, commenting on her BCU 4 Star White Water Kayaking courses.
"Hi Steve, Following my successful completion of the first ever BCU(UKCC) Level 3 assessment yesterday, I thought I would just thank you for your help and support of my coach development to this point. It has been an interesting and informative journey so far, that has been most ably informed and shaped by the Coaching Processes course and the two MWEs you have facilitated for me. I have particularly enjoyed using the information and knowledge that you have imparted during my debates with other coaches and coach educators who may be less informed or possess less thorough scientifically supported evidence than yourself. Thank you very much for your assistance so far, and I look forward to further debate, discussion, development and paddling together when the opportunities arise. Many thanks for your support and help, it's very much appreciated."
Gary Fletcher, The UK's first UKCC Level 3 Paddlesport Coach, Royal Air Force.
"Hi Steve, I would like to thank you again for your total professionalism and approach to my assessment yesterday. It was a fantastic day and I totally enjoyed it. Your comments and tips afterwards were greatly appreciated. Hope to see/do business with you in the future."
Antonio De Luca, Outdoor Education Instructor, Northampton, commenting on his BCA Level 1 Cave Leader Assessment.
"Hi Steve, Thank you for the wonderful, thought provoking weekend and the fantastic day's caving on Monday, I don't know why I stopped for so long, although I've already got the next few trips pencilled in to start tackling the list of venues you gave me."
Graeme Hodgson, Police Officer, Volunteer Outdoor Instructor, commenting on his Coaching Processes course and Cave Leader Training.
"Hi Steve, Home safe and brain brimming with new ideas and can’t wait to get out tomorrow and start using some of it! I've written the following for your testimonials page: I have just had [spring 2011] a fantastic BCU Coaching Processes course with Steve, one of the most talented tutors I have ever worked with. Run to a high level, he was still able to deliver evidence from the latest academic research in coaching excellence mixed with practical tasks and suggestions for a wide array of applications. The pace was bespoke, the subjects were of real interest and the detail was thorough and engaging. Modest, yet with a wealth of experience and expertise he remained open to suggestion and encouraged rigorous questioning until we had all a meaningful understanding of the topics covered. I feel my overall view of coaching has dramatically changed and I now want to start to use new techniques and a fresh approach as a coach, and expect a higher level of coaching when I get on other courses as the student!"
Benny Bostock, Outdoor Education Teacher, Kingston Maurward College, Dorset
"Hi Steve, Thanks for a great assessment yesterday and the speedy return of my paperwork. The assessment was fantastic, from the moment I booked, the support and guidance given was first class with pre assessment chats on the phone I was fully aware of everything I would be expected to do on the day; the assessment day itself was highly focused, highly professional yet your friendly relaxed approach put me at ease instantly, allowing me to concentrate on performing well and forget about assessment day nerves. You provided an extremely detailed debrief and continued development plan at the end of the day with the offer of continued support only being a phone call away. I would go as far as to say the most professional and supportive atmosphere of any course I have ever been involved with."
Dan Irving, Senior Outdoor Instructor, Keighley, commenting on his BCA Level 2 Local Cave Leader Assessment.
"Hello Steve, Thanks for a fantastic Level 1 training course, I really enjoyed it"
Katie Watson, Outdoor Education Teacher, Windermere School, commenting on her BCA Local Cave Leader training.
"Hi Steve, Thanks for a couple of smashing days. I thought your style was great and your ability to get people achieving things without them realising was inspirational. I found your approach to be consistent throughout, which is hard to maintain! And that your consistency gave a very clear message of what we should be trying to achieve as leaders!"
Paul Aitken, Head of Outdoor Education, Morecambe HS, commenting on his BCU 4 Star WW Kayak Leader Training
"Hi Steve, Many thanks for the feedback. I have to say your feedback on the day, and that you've sent, is superb and very useful. All I can say is thanks for your understanding and the realisation that I find assessments so damn stressful. Many thanks."
Danny Phillips, Outdoor Instructor, Darlington, commenting on his BCA Level 2 Cave Leader Assessment.
"Hi Steve, Just a quick thank you for another excellent weekend's paddling, made even better by coming away with a certificate. The organisation was spot on, group members excellent, weather amazing, assessors really easy to get on with (please extend my gratitude to your staff) all in all thoroughly enjoyable."
John Ellerton, Outdoor Instructor, Gateshead, commenting on his BCU 4 Star Open Canoe Leader Assessment
"Hi Steve, Thank you very much for the assessment course and comprehensive feedback, I've just put it in my logbook and can't wait to exchange it for a 'fully passed' version. Thanks also for the notes on development issues; I took copious scribbled notes at the time and have commented to a number of people since, that yours was the most thorough (least brief!) debrief I've come across in any NGB award! I'm sure, in relation to your comment at the start of the day, that I have moved further along the line between "novice and god in a cave" after last week's positive experience. Thanks again."
George Plant, Northallerton, commenting on his BCA Level 2 Local Cave Leader Assessment.
"Thank you so much for 2 brilliant weekends, I learnt tons on each course. Looking back on the Coaching Processes course now, everything you said seems so obvious and simple, I can't believe I've not always looked at things that way! Then the assessment this last weekend was really well run - it was certainly challenging but in such a supportive way that you always managed to remove the pressure of being assessed as much as possible. I even managed to start enjoying the assessment eventually (from the moment I rolled up on Sunday onwards, funnily enough!)."
Andy Cumpstey, Medical Student and Canoe Coach, University of Oxford, on his BCU Coaching Processes course and BCU 4 Star Sea Kayak assessment.
"Thank you Steve. Now my sinuses have properly drained and I've had time to reflect on the course / assessment, I recognise just how well you ran things. Despite my nerves, and a couple of unexpected challenges, I had two really good days paddling, learned loads by being out there doing stuff, by observing the other candidates and clients and from the very detailed feedback yesterday afternoon. I honestly cannot think of a single thing that I would choose to change in the way the weekend was delivered, either as a candidate or if I were ever to run such a course. I will keep much of the past two days with me for a long time to come and, oddly, the 4* award feels almost an aside compared to everything else."
Barry Curley, Outdoor Instructor, Ulverston, commenting on his BCU 4 Star Sea Kayak Leader Assessment.
"Hi Steve, just to say thanks again. I thought the course was really well structured and had a great balance of relaxedness (if that's a word) and high quality input. You communicate really clearly, your inputs are really constructive and you created a very supportive environment around us all. I also want to say how very much I appreciated the environmental input - the way you did it - lots of stories about interesting critters etc. - worked really well even with the group not initially all that concerned with environmental stuff; it is so important to raise awareness in all ways possible, and not just use the ocean as a big green/blue gym."
Dr. Kate Rawles, Outdoor & Environmental Education lecturer commenting on her BCU 4 Star Sea Kayak Leader training.
"Hi Steve, thank you again for a really great training course, some excellent stuff to take on and apply. It's fantastic to come away from a course feeling so inspired to get out there!"
Lucy Noble, Outdoor Instructor, Ambleside, commenting on her BCU 4 Star Sea Kayak Leader training course.
"Having been on a BCA Local Cave Leader course with Steve I decided to join a Sea Kayak trip too. Steve was his usual calm and confident self and did a great job of accommodating my (and everyone else's) needs. He has also provided lots of support for me after the trip to help me develop my Sea Kayaking and choose my own equipment. I'll be back for more in the Autumn and I'd definitely recommend him to any outdoor enthusiasts whatever their interests."
Olly Rees, Senior Outdoor Instructor, Orkney
"So far I have been on two fantastic trips with Steve. The first was a caving trip to France which was followed by an Ecology trip to the Isle of Rum. Caving was amazing! Even while we were descending down ropes into a completely new environment for me, I always felt completely safe and extremely well looked after - Steve's professionalism and commitment to looking after me was really excellent. I had such a good time that I followed this up with an Ecology week. I learnt more about Ecology from Steve in a one week hands on practical trip than I'd managed whilst studying Ecology modules at university! I wasn't the only one in that situation either. It was a magical experience. I have no hesitation recommending Steve to anyone!"
Nia Gibson, Coordinator of Education for Sustainable Development. Toronto Zoo, Canada.
"Thank you for a great weekend! ...but you realise I hope, that you have been an extraordinarily bad influence. Not only do my poor club novices now go home from my coaching sessions exhausted (but grinning!) but I have even been thinking about paddling kayaks again...now that really is a worrying thought! Anyway, thanks again for all your enthusiasm and support without which there would have been a great deal of walking!"
Sally Vetta, Outdoor Instructor, Derbyshire. Commenting on her BCU 4 Star White Water Kayak Leader Training course.
"Hi Steve, I just wanted to say thank you for the course it was brilliant. I had a great time and learned a massive amount! I realised a while ago that I'd dropped the ball in terms of developing my own coaching/leading and it was great to get some new ideas and critique on my skills, now all I've got to do is put it into practice!! I have certainly left the course with a renewed enthusiasm for improving and analysing my own coaching.
My experience was very different to my colleague's (also a PE teacher). His 4 Star course last week covered minimal leadership skills but instead focused primarily on individual strokes and getting each one 'demonstration perfect'. This has provided us with a very useful comparison and I have to say that your holistic approach is both powerful and memorable."
Tom Hughes, PE Teacher, Devon. Commenting on his BCU 4 Star Canoe Leader Training course.
"Hi Steve, many thanks for the mind expanding and stimulating BCU Coaching Processes course - I really enjoyed it and learnt lots! It's great that you run it at a far more advanced level than you need to, it's just a shame that this information is not more freely available. I'm not kidding about the book - write one! It would be very useful."
Martin McCarthy, Engineer and Canoe Coach, Blackpool.
"Even in somewhat testing Arctic conditions, Steve made my BCU 4 Star Whitewater Kayak Leader Assessment painless and, with very comprehensive feedback at the end, he ensured I learnt a lot from my weekend. I will definitely be returning to Steve for courses in the future."
Gwilym Starks, Outdoor Activity company owner, Somerset.
"Thank you very much for a brilliant course. I would like to congratulate you, it was the only assessment that I have ever done that I felt relaxed whilst undergoing."
Jon Heather, Outdoor Education Instructor, Kent. Commenting on his BCU Level 3 Canoe Coach Assessment.
"My friend and I went on a customised climbing weekend that also included some caving. Given that one of us was frightened of heights, the other of confined spaces, this presented a few challenges! Steve's calm, considered approach to all of this promoted a sense of trust that allowed us to overcome our anxiety and thoroughly enjoy the experience as well. His understanding of the psychology of learning and his obvious ability to apply it surely sets him apart from many others in his field. I found my experience liberating and energising - it certainly helped me deal with everyday challenges the subsequent working week. I'll definitely be going back for more!"
Dr. Jenny Roe, Edinburgh.
"Steve was my introduction to Outdoor Education as a career. Through him I developed my skills and turned a passion for outdoor activity into a love of teaching and coaching and watching others develop their skills. Steve has been (and still is) a coach, a mentor and an inspiration to me as I develop my career."
Kate Duffus, Kendal.
"As a maturing paddler whose main bulk of paddling was over 30 years ago, I was looking for a person who would be able to re-kindle my faded enthusiasm. Steve was just that person. He was able to look at my rusty skills and give me a series of guided experiences that called on my prior learning to solve problems. Steve's very much student centred approach gave me the confidence to trust in my own ability. His ever watchful coaching eye picked out my strengths and areas for further development. With such a professional approach it is virtually impossible not to learn."
I have already booked on further courses to continue with my paddlesport rejuvenation."
Nigel Ball, Teacher, Bradford.
"We have been doing courses with Steve for almost 10 years. We keep coming back because Steve is an experienced and highly competent coach and we always have a great time on his courses. Steve has the ability to maximise the enjoyment and learning potential from any venue whatever the prevailing conditions."
Dave and Sue Kingston, Edinburgh
"The first time I embarked upon a sea kayaking expedition off the west coast of Scotland it is fair to say that I was somewhat apprehensive! I had very little paddling experience and had never packed a boat or even considered the possibility of wild camping. Steve was always there supporting and calming in an understated way. He knew that I could do it even though I always assumed I couldn't! It was a very powerful message for me and one that has resulted in me returning again and again to take part in similar expeditions improving my skills and confidence. Steve has a remarkable ability to achieve fantastic results from the people who entrust themselves to his care whether that be in a boat, a cave or out on the mountains."
Susan Kent, Teacher, Eastbourne.
"I found Steve's approach to be unique and relaxed. He motivates, challenges, and develops people of all abilities. His quiet, thought provoking style builds confidence and allows individuals to progress at their own pace."
I was able to do more, see more and have more fun. My experience has left me very keen to come back for more."
Graeme Hodgson, Police Officer, Penrith.