What Our Students Have to Say

I believe the true measure of any training course comes when you use what you've learned in the real world. Well, last month I did just that. 

I crewed on a friend's 40' yacht on a 575 nautical-mile sail from Lossiemouth, Scotland to the River Orwell, Suffolk. We made ten stops along our route down the East Coast of the UK, dropping anchor in some places, and pulling into marinas at others. Some of it was really rough sailing into the wind with three-metre waves, and at other times we were coming into a marina for the first time in the pitch black of night (which we did twice!). Three of us lived and laughed on the boat for twelve days. It was a fantastic experience for me, and really put my sailing skills to the test. 

I did all of my RYA training with Shearwater, from Comp Crew all the way to Yachtmaster Offshore, along with all the shore-based courses. Mark's training really gave me the skills I needed to be successful in this sail down the coast. My confidence has grown so much from completing this sail that I believe I could jump onto just about any sailing boat and be an effective crew member and fully capable of skippering if needed. 

Stats: Total sail: 575 nm. Longest Leg: 125 nm. Longest time sailing: 20.5 hours. Total time sailing: 96 hours (4 days). Journey duration: 12 days.

Renee Mineart

(For full disclosure, I do maintain the Shearwater Sailing School website, but all of the above is true too.)

Hi Mark, hope you’re keeping well.

I have recently successfully completed my RYA Day Skipper course and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. There were 4 students on the boat with varying degrees of sailing experience but by the end of the first day we were working well as a crew and all went on to pass our respective courses. Mark’s approach to delivering the topic in a relaxed but knowledgeable manner was spot on, giving me the confidence to push myself and get the most from the course. I completed the course as a more competent and confident sailor and will be going back to him to do Coastal Skipper in the future. Thank you and see you soon. 

Mark Treeby

Daybreak at Shotley

Mark Lewis is a hugely experienced instructor. The sailing course over 5 days was great with fabulous yachting weather, an interesting coastline and a good range of moorings and marinas. Mark covered the RYA syllabus in a practical and engaging way ensuring all participants were able to learn in ways that worked for them. Mark ensured that our sailing crew sailed well together with strong cooperation, sharing experience and working with clear responsibilities, that has to be another of the key lessons we all learned.

The night sail down the Stour towards Felixstowe was utterly memorable and we were all well enough trained by then to avoid all of the major difficulties in a busy port area. However, we also gained much insight from some super clear corrective guidance from the coastguard to another yacht on the open channel we were all pleased enough not to be in that skipper’s sailing shoes.

I can’t recommend Shearwater enough.
George Williamson

I really enjoyed being on the Day Skipper practical course. Sailing with Mark was a lot of fun. Mark has a relaxed manner, which immediately put us at ease. Bonds between the crew formed very quickly, despite being strangers to each other before the course. We were of varying age and sailing experience and worked really well as a team.

Mark is very hospitable and I felt well looked after. We were sailing in rainy March and Mark provided us with weather gear which kept us biscuit dry in the wind and rain. The boat was very well victualled with an amazing range of snacks and food. I enjoyed getting to know the crew and playing card games at the end of the sailing day.  

It is very warm and comfortable aboard Shanti II. I immediately felt at home. Shanti handles beautifully. She gracefully took on F6 winds on one of the days, when she managed up to 9.7 knots and never once did I doubt that she could do it.

I was sad to get to the end of the 5 days, but alas all good things must come to an end. I look forward to going on a mile builder with Mark at some point in the near future. I recommend the Day Skipper practical course, it gave me loads of confidence and improved my skills. I couldn’t have wished for a better instructor.  

Best wishes,

Brigid (Day Skipper May 2023)

Hi Mark,

Hope you are keeping well?

I thought I would send you a short email to let you know that Mike, Chris, Eleanor and I just returned from a week sailing in the Greek Cyclades with Sunsail! We chose to do a bareboat hire with a Skipper to support us on day one. 

It was absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much for taking us through the Day Skipper/ Competent Crew qualifications last April. 

We had a few odd boating days last year but this was our first week long holiday together. Hoping for many more! We look forward to upgrading our qualifications with you next year. 

Sarah and friends

Hi Mark,

I wanted to say thank you so much for an enjoyable course and for pushing me to do more than I was expecting to achieve. Whilst we had some challenging weather conditions the sailing was awesome. Shanti handles the waves and conditions so well and is a beautiful boat. The crew we had worked so well together and your calm instructions and insights have all been taken on board. Can’t wait for the next course with you.

Mellissa (Competent crew March 2023)

Hi Mark

Thank you for the last few days I enjoyed every minute. 

Best regards Alastair (Day Skipper March 2023)

Hi Mark,

Thank you so much for your work with Gloria on our last course with Bob, she had a fantastic experience and complemented everyone involved in her assessment.

Successful Candidate for RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam (February 2023)

Hi Mark,

My partner and I have just completed the practical Day Skipper course at Shearwater sailing school. We were both a little worried about undertaking the course but Mark, the instructor, who has a wealth of knowledge about sailing and the local sailing areas, was calm and patient throughout. It was a brilliant experience, so much so that we can't wait to sign up to sail with him again.

Hopefully, see you soon

All the best Sue & Gary

Dear Mark,

Wow, what an amazing week! Thank you so much for the Competent Crew course, which was brilliant. I admit I was apprehensive before I joined, but you quickly put me at my ease. Your style was clear, patient and encouraging, and I felt able to make a mistake or try several times without feeling a fool. I wanted to improve my knowledge, understanding and confidence and I certainly think it was mission accomplished. Plus it was fun too. I can’t wait for the next step!

Best wishes

Sharon (Comp Crew 2022)

Dear Mark,
I arrived in trepidation for my competent crew course, armed only with a dodgy and incomplete knowledge of knots. Would I become the token idiot in a crew of surly, superior sea goer’s? 

I reluctantly left after five days of fabulous sailing, having fledged friendships with a diverse, interesting and above all very friendly group of crew mates. We’d all  benefitted from a week of patient high quality instruction, and repeated opportunities to practise and hone new sailing, navigation and boat handling skills in a calm and confidence inspiring environment.

In less than a week the dreaded but required competent crew course had morphed into a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile adventure holiday, and the mostly inexperienced crew had morphed into a cohesive group of friends with great memories of experience and fun shared.

Thank you so much to Mark and the (now competent) motley crew of Shanti II for a fabulous “holiday”.

Lynne (Comp Crew 2022)

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the amazing time last week. I was starting yachting from scratch and you were incredibly tolerant and patient. I felt competent by the end of 5 days as well as having had lots of fun. At the same time as learning a new set of skills and more importantly, feeling more confident on the water, it was also a great holiday!

Please let me know when you are planning your next trip to France!

Thank you so much

Rachel (Comp Crew 2022)

Hi Mark,

I’ve done all of my sailing training on Shanti, from Comp Crew to Yachtmaster Offshore, but it has been a few years since I’ve sailed, so I wanted to reacquaint myself with handling a boat and reawaken my dormant love for sailing. And both objectives were fully accomplished last week.

It was fantastic to sail with an all woman crew, and I loved watching this group of self-described “incompetent sailors” morph into a honed and efficient team, each one becoming very competent in all the tasks required to sail a yacht. By the end of the week, no one needed explicit instructions to do a certain task. It was a case of “let’s set sail at 10:00”, and shortly before 10, everyone just got on with the tasks that needed to be done; electric cable in, lines adjusted, sail cover off, motor on, etc., etc. Each one of us knew what needed to be done, how best to do it, and we just did it. It was a fantastic team to be apart of.

We were strangers on Monday, and live long friends by Friday.

Renée (Mile Building)

Hi Mark

Thanks for a brilliant week, I really enjoyed it and you were good company. I feel a lot more confident about taking my family out on Freya, hopefully without scaring them!

Thanks again for a terrific week despite the weather.

All the best - Dominic (Day Skipper 2021)

Mark

Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable week last week despite the weather and a special thanks for the loan of the waterproofs which were invaluable in a week like that !

Regards - Michael (Day Skipper April 2021)

Dear Mark,

Just a quick note to thank you for last week's Day Skipper course. I really enjoyed it: it was difficult at times, and I made my fair share of mistakes, but I appreciated your patient guidance and encouragement.

With best regards, - Alex (Day Skipper April 2021)

Dear Mark and Tom

Many thanks for running such an engaging, satisfying and demanding course. You both share a real gift in being able to communicate complex information seemingly easily.

Perhaps the best quality of the course is the way in which you pace things, patiently building knowledge and confidence, not just for individual students, but for the whole group. As you say, “resistance is futile” - long may it be so in learning with Shearwater.

Tom - Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Course

Good Morning Mark,

Firstly, a huge thanks to you and Tom for your encouragement and patience over the last few enlightening weeks.  I’m now inspired and determined to take my new learning and continue to develop my skills further.

We spoke yesterday about the CC date 4th May, what do I need to do to secure a place for my wife on this course? 

Best regards.

Ian. - Yachtmaster Offshore Theory

Hi Mark and Tom

Thank you to both you and Tom for running and organising the Day Skipper course last week. I really enjoyed it and learnt a lot, Tom was a great instructor.

All the best

Charlotte

Hi Mark.

I had a great time in the course and Found Tom and excellent instructor and a really nice guy, it was a pleasure sailing with him.

Oliver

Hi Tom and Mark,

Thanks for Tom’s excellent support and encouragement this week on the Day Skipper Course.
Very professional instruction in a friendly and patient manner with lots of clear direction and explanation. I was never in doubt what was expected and how things were going to be done and why.
Shanti II was a pleasure to sail too.

Best wishes.
Steve. (DS Sept 2019)

Dear Mark,

With thanks for another fantastic week. Great company and incredible sailing.
Looking forward to the next one already.

Kind regards

Anita (East Coast Cruise - Aug 2019)

Dear Mark,

We really enjoyed our sail with you over the last five days. We learnt a lot and you are a great and patient instructor, which was very helpful! Please find attached some photos from this experience.

Till we meet next time,

Joanna and Aldo

Coastal Skipper

Three crew members gain their Coastal Skipper on the sunniest week of the year!

Dear Mark,

Thank you for all your help and support over the two weekends in May to enable me to qualify as a Day Skipper. Your experience and advice was invaluable and gave me the confidence that I needed to be able to take charge of a yacht and crew. A lot of fun was had by all on board and your relaxed and safe approach made the whole experience the best it could possibly be. I will ensure that I recommend Shearwater Sailing to others.

Chris (Day Skipper May 2019)

Month/Year of course: May 2019

Please give the course an overall rating: ★★★★★

Please rate the instructor on their knowledge and teaching skills: ★★★★★

Would you recommend Shearwater Sailing School to a friend?: Yes

Hi Mark,

A few photos to record our super visit. Mark senior thanks again for a great week. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It was nice to meet you and Tom. I will keep you updated for my next course!

Regards

George - Day Skipper

Dear Mark,

Please pass on my thanks to Tom for a brilliant six day, 215 nm sail to Limehouse in London and back to Woolverstone.

I am attaching a photo taken at Chatham during a 7am departure as we set out on a ten hour sail to Shotley in glorious weather. It’s moments like this when you understand why you want to see the world from the water.

Best wishes

Tom

Hi Mark, 
Good to see you on Sunday and thank you for clearing up the passage planning questions for me.

Just wanted to give you some feedback on the First Aid Course.

It was a really good day and I learnt a lot. The instructor was enthusiastic, funny, encouraging and very informative. I enjoyed the practical parts and although I had not met any of the other attendees before we all seemed to get on fine. Most of them had done lots of sailing and courses before but that seemed to make no difference on the day.

So glad I decided to do it… Thank you.

See you soon,

Jennifer.

I can’t thank you enough for taking our sailing course. It was fantastic and I loved it. 
I wanted to achieve something for myself, and I feel I did just this.  The competent crew course in the autumn was the start of that journey and achieving the theoretical and practical elements of the day skipper quite simply a dream come true. I feel free when I am sailing and love the simplicity of the sails and the waterways and am looking forward to extending my experience over the coming years. Susie and I plan to attend one of the London courses so please could you send me the dates when you have them.  We hope to try and fit in another week before the end of the season as well!  

Kind regards
Anita  

Hi Mark

Just had a really great couple of days with Tom doing my ICC. He is a fantastic instructor  (as you know!) On the back of that, I was hoping to pencil in 3 days own boat tuition to finish my Days Skipper qualification. David - ICC weekend. March 2019

Hi Mark/Tom

Just wanted to thank Tom for a very insightful weekend, very enjoyable as well in spite of the weather! Looking forward to the next sail. Paul - March 2019

 Hi Mark

I was meaning to write to you after our session.  I just wanted to say that you gave me everything I wanted out of the day. We have been out on the boat every weekend since and are absolutely loving it! So thank you, your instruction was excellent and I would absolutely recommend you to others. In fact, I might ask for another session next year as I have few things in mind...

Going out backwards every time is the way! No problems so far! 

Might also want to talk to you about doing my offshore qualifications if that is ok.

Hope to see you soon

Tom D

Hi Mark,

Just wanted to send a huge thanks to yourself and Tom for a great couple of weekends on the water. I'm thrilled to have my day skipper license now and definitely looking forward to building up some miles with you again next year - I'll keep a lookout for dates on the website, but do feel free to get in touch as and when new trips launch.

As a complete newbie to sailing, I realise I'm probably not the easiest person to teach, so I really appreciate all your patience and hard work getting me through the course. Tom was absolutely brilliant throughout and great fun too, so I'm afraid I don't have any constructive criticism to leave - you're both doing a wonderful job!

See you next summer, (Nicola )

I wanted to say thank you to Tom for the superb week we had in August on the cross channel passage. What an absolutely brilliant way to do the Day Skipper practical beginning with a 16 hour crossing to Oostend and to sail along the Belgium and French coast covering 230 nm in all. Tom’s teaching style is exemplary - show and tell - followed up by supportive comments that build confidence quickly and seemingly easily, but always resulting in an appetite for more learning and more sailing. The unsaid part of the experience is how a disparate group of people quickly meld into a supportive group that adds enormously to the experience. By the by, Tom is also pretty handy in the kitchen. I look forward to more time with Shearwater and the lovely Shanti.

Tom

HI Mark and Tom,

I am so sorry it has taken so long to get the evidence to you that we had benefitted from your excellent teaching at Easter!  We had a fabulous (and eventful at times) holiday in the Northern and Southern Ionian and met another of your pupils - Tony - I’m attaching a photo of him with us all as well.  I am sure we will be back for more training but this year.  Thank you again for a wonderful introduction to sailing.

Warm regards

Jude and family

Hello Mark,

I just thought I'd let you know what a great time had aboard Shanti 2 last week with Tom and crew. The whole week was filled with great sailing, very informative training and great food. Tom was a brilliant skipper showing a lot of patience with us all and communicating the RYA syllabus in a very clear and concise manner which was easy to follow and understand. He was also a great host, cook and source of knowledge and made the whole experience very safe, relaxing and enjoyable.

The crew were a great mixed bunch and we all got along well partly due to the relaxed and safe environment aboard. I learnt a lot during our 7 days cruising around the English channel and it has increased my appetite to learn more and progress through the RYA sailing scheme.

Regards

Mark (7 Day Cruise)

Dear Mark & Tom,

Many thanks once again for a great weeks sailing and great company too.I look forward to seeing you both in the not too distant future. 

Very best regards

David

Hi Mark and Tom,

The trip was outstanding in all areas. I could not fault a single thing and will not hesitate to return when the time is right.

Although I will be sailing my own boat from St Katharine Docks to Levington and back soon with my friend Graham who is a yachtmaster instructor, I have gained a lot of confidence on your course and do think I could do the trip even without Graham if the conditions were fair. 

Tom did exceptionally well in skippering the trip. Given Tom's experience and ability, which cannot be questioned, he was also able to keep everybody on board entertained for the six days, which I know from my tour guiding experience is not easy, especially when everyone is occupying such a small space. There were plenty of entertaining stories too, not least holding tank disaster somewhere in the med!

I will happily recommend Shearwater Sailing School to others and hope to return very soon.

Martin

Having just completed the Day Skipper practical course, I would just like to once again say a big thank you to both the school and especially Tom for the excellent tuition. His training style is excellent, keeping everyone involved and interested, installing confidence in all of the “students”. Will definitely be back for more courses and other events.

Regards Tony (Day Skipper May 2018)

Hi Mark,

I've just posted off my RYA feedback form which reflects how much I enjoyed the course. I'm also recommending you to my brother-in-law. He lives in France, has just retired and is keen to do a Day Skipper course.

Once again thanks to you and Tom for a very enjoyable course. It ticked all the boxes! 

Regards

James (Day Skipper May 2018)

Hi Mark,

Thanks very much for a great coastal skipper course. I learned a lot; the environment in which to learn that you both created was excellent. On top of that your messages were consistent and succinctly put across with a great deal of patience too. Shanti is a great boat so all in all I could not have asked for more.

We chatted about my next step towards Yachtmaster Coastal which would be to do the prep course your are running on which I would like to book onto.

Best wishes

Jonathan (Coastal Skipper to London and return May 2018)

Hi Mark, 

I should like to thank you very much for your ICC course this month (April 2018). As a latecomer to owning my own sailboat, and quite "long in the tooth" now (I think this means an "old geezer") I found your course rejuvenated me considerably. I learned such a lot in such a short time. Your patience and your considerable teaching and sailing skills sent me away with big "springs in my steps". That is a great achievement for me given that my wife complains about me grunting and groaning as I get up out of chairs. Clearly, you should have an honorary degree in physiotherapy and psychotherapy. Joking apart, you provided a thoroughly stimulating learning environment for the ICC course. And the same applies to the beautiful countryside and waterside at Woolverstone Marina.

Jim (ICC April 2018).

Hi Mark, 

Thanks very much for the update. As you will no doubt have realised, the week surpassed my expectations and I came away from it with a huge amount of confidence and many new skills.  Vernon is an excellent instructor (but you already know that) and his ability to keep the conversation going as well as a sense of humour and an inexhaustible supply of anecdotes made the whole event very special.  

Tim (Coastal Skipper April 2018)

Hi Mark,

Just to let you know that I had an excellent time last weekend, Tom was excellent, the only downside was the lack of wind, preventing us from actually doing much sailing, but I guess it’s a good excuse to do another weekend!

Thanks again,

Danny (ICC Weekend - March 2018)

Hi Mark,

I enjoyed the Day Skipper course immensely and it has really boosted my confidence with handling a yacht and navigation.  Tom is a first class instructor who maintained a really fun atmosphere on the boat while delivering a professional and safe course and sharing his knowledge and experience.

Chris - Day skipper Oct 2017

Hi Mark,

Firstly I'd like to say a massive thank you for making us welcome from the onset, you created a friendly atmosphere from the start and made everyone feel at ease. The friendly atmosphere and your approachable personality made for a thoroughly enjoyable course, it felt like a holiday with a bit work.

We thoroughly enjoyed sailing with you and wouldn't hesitate in taking on the next level of courses with you and Tom and also would not hesitate in recommending Shearwater Sailing School to anyone wanting to learn to sail.

Thank you also for showing us the local area for us to sail and for all the helpful tips, much appreciated.

I honestly look forward to the next time we can get out on the water with you so in the meantime if ever you need an additional crewman let me know.

Cheers

Chris & Sarah (Oct 2017 Day Skipper and Comp Crew)

Hi Mark,

It was an absolute pleasure to meet you last weekend on my Day Skipper course. Thank you very much for your hospitality and letting me stay on board both Fridays. I am very impressed by your sailing school and the way the course is taught. I am also very impressed with Tom's instructing skills. He is a natural! It was a great experience and more importantly great fun and I will definitely be looking to come back early next year to further my knowledge and get more sailing experience. I think my wife Amanda may also be interested in coming along for a Competent Crew course.

Thanks again and look forward to seeing Shanti II again very soon.

Best, Max

Day Skipper Oct 2017

Hi Mark,

Just a quick note of thanks for a fantastic week aboard Shanti II. The course was great, and Bev was a fantastic instructor. She really understood the strengths of each of us after just a few hours together and put together a really well thought through week of training (and fun!), that stretched each of our abilities perfectly. I'm amazed at the progress I made in such a short space of time and very happy to have earned my day skippers ticket. Please do send on my thanks to her.

All the best

Jeremy (Day Skipper, Aug 2017)

Hi Mark Just completed the day skipper course in August 2017. I just wanted to let you know what a great job you guys do .Bev was a fantastic teacher and we completed the course with a great sense of achievement.The mixture of fun incorporated in the learning was a fantastic combination. I thank you very much and look forward to sailing in the Med !!!!! Best regards Mark.

Thanks Mark

Hi Mark,

I just wanted to say thanks for what was a brilliant course. Vernon was a real inspiration,  a great instructor, very calm disposition and genuinely nice chap too. I will certainly be looking to do some more training with you.

Mark S (DS Course July 2017)

Good morning Mark,

Our sincere thanks again for a fun and informative weekend excursion.  The core values of Shearwater were transferred under the full glory of the Suffolk sun.

Kindest regards

Oli - Family weekend sail June 2017

Hi Mark,

I wanted to mention how much I enjoyed and thought how well the VHF course was presented. Further more I also wanted to highlight the amount of knowledge and experience I gained from the Day Skipper course, it is very difficult to find an instructor who has the time and patience to teach a wide range of experience and produce an efficient and effective crew. The whole experience has increased my confidence and I can't thank you enough, it has given me the boost to look forward to future courses and improve my sailing ability.

Once again thank you.

Brian. 6 Day Course Sailing to London and Return - June 2017

Hi Mark,

We had a fabulous day. Tom is a credit to the company. He impressed everyone with his easy company, great teaching style and ability to instill confidence in the greenest of sailors.

Mike - Family day sail before a Med sailing holiday - June 2017

Very enjoyable weekend ICC training with Tom and co,

I'd nearly forgotten how good it is to be on the water!

Nick (ICC Weekend April 2017)

Ho, well, we had a REALLY great time. I said to Bev she instructs without appearing to instruct, it’s an art; you find yourself just doing it!

The kids were getting stuck in and Françoise did loads of things and all really well,  calmly, like she’d been doing it for ages. My problem now, going to have to spend some money on a boat!  

Kids looking at doing DS theory too!

Yup, the progression is palpable, very grateful to you and all at Shearwater.

Five very satisfied customers!

Kindest Patrick (Day Skipper and family sail April 2017)

I had a first class training week with Tom and Mark - Highly recommended and a wonderful sail to Brightlingsea and back.

Oli - Day Skipper March 2017

Dear Tom/Mark,

Many thanks for operating an excellent and enjoyable weekend course.

I was very impressed with your teaching style, Tom and your calm and efficient way of handling a diverse bunch of students..

I was surprised how much I learnt despite having sailed all my life!

It was very instructive being made to pre plan each manoeuvre and give the rest of the crew clear instructions before starting - a fault of mine which my wife has been pointing out to me for years!

Thanks again for an excellent weekend.

Regards

John Williams (ICC, March 2017)

Ahoy Mark,

Just wanted to touch base in order to thankyou for the fabulous five days of sailing instruction over the last couple of weekends. I expected to come away fully equipped with enough knowledge to be a competent crew member. What I didn't anticipate was the excitement of working as a team with other wonderfully enthusiastic crew members. It felt more like a holiday than a course. You also managed to order perfect sailing conditions.  Simply amazing!

Jacks (Competent Crew Sept 2016)

Thanks Bev,

Had a great day skipper course . Everything was spot on , the weather was a lesson in itself . The food was plenty and excellently prepared and enjoyed the land navigating excursions to the pub ! Having Andy on the course with his experience was a bonus for me

I would highly recommend anyone to your courses and Shearwater Sailing

Wishing you all fair winds and following seas

Colin (Day Skipper Oct 2016)

The following feedback is from the RYA Active Marina event at Woolverstone Marina and Ladies Day. (Sept  2016)

(E-mails are addressed to Sophie, at Woolverstone Marina)

Hi Sophie,

Excellent evening.

Learnt lots even though I did the same evening last year. Things are very different at night!!

Mark is an excellent instructor and have been on many of his courses.

Thanks, Owen

Sophie,

Excellent first night sail experience.

Thank you

Ron

An excellent night Sophie. Thanks for the opportunity.

Please pass on my thanks to Mark the others.

Regards,

Mike

Hello Sophie,

I would like to say a big thank you to both Bev, Yourself and MDL Marinas for such a fun day,

I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Meeting new ladies and a girls Fun Day Together,

Bev was great and I really appreciate how she built up all our confidence with just little things without us realizing that she was doing it.

We all had smiling faces when we returned - sign of a good sail !!

I think we made a good team, it would be nice to do it again.

Keep in touch

Karen

Hi Sophie,

thanks - was great to meet you

I thought the day was great. Bev is fab - she set the pace just right so that we all got to have a go and build confidence without it being stressful. Lovely to have a girls day out and meet new people.

thanks!

Christa

Hi Sophie,

Last Saturday was very enjoyable, the weather was wonderful (well at least till 5 pm) and it could not have been a better day for practising sailing. The wind not too strong (Force 4/5) – ideal conditions all in all!

Personally it was only the second time I had managed to go sailing this year having had some problems getting started with my boat and I really appreciated going through some of the practices of hoisting sails, sailing, picking up a mooring, etc….Bev. was super and you could tell she is very experienced and confident. I certainly will remember some of her advice like not too get too close to a buoy and the rules of the river for ex.  She did not make us feel self-conscious at all, was very understanding and uncritical. She had to be with me as I  was really tired not having slept very well the night before!.

So all in all I would recommend this course to anyone needing a bit more practice and confidence on a really nice big boat or thinking of taking up sailing as a hobby.

Thank you again Sophie for having told me about this course, it was also nice to meet you and the other girls.

Cheers,

Annette

VIKING BIRD

Hi Mark,

I had a FANTASTIC week’s course, and the responsibility for that must largely rest with Bev, who skippered and instructed in a seriously professional manner, whilst at the same time making the whole process seem like a week’s holiday!!  All 5 of us students had a ball from start to finish, whilst at the same time learning a whole mass of skills that we would have taken years to accumulate otherwise.

By the time that we had finished and been through the (small) stress of the wash-up and interview, I would happily have stayed for a second week if one had been available.  To have earned (I hope!) a Day Skipper’s ticket as well seemed like an extra bonus rather than the objective of the course, so well did we all get on as a team.

Please pass on my very sincere thanks to Bev, and thank YOU very much for the whole Shearwater experience.  I would happily recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their sailing skills and knowledge of the sea…

Best regards to all at Shearwater,

Terry Hawthorn (Day Skipper Sept 2016)

Hi Mark,

Just wanted to say what a great day I had the other day with Vernon. It was a delight to be on board Shanti with him and the rest of the students. I am now looking at the possibility of doing further courses with you.

Robert (ICC Course July 2016)

Dear Mark,

Many thanks from Abby and myself ‎for the session on Lobo yesterday. We both really enjoyed it and learned a lot.

Will be in touch separately about getting some own boat tuition and ideally a Coastal Skipper course. Also the radio course on 9th October 

Have a great week.

Simon (June 2016)

I was fortunate to run into Mark Lewis at a Clipper-Connect event at the Henri Lloyd showroom in London last February. After presentations by HL and winning 13-14 skipper Eric Holden, I got talking with Mark and expressed my ambition to turn my Clipper experience to good use and getting my RYA Yachtmaster certificates. He invited me for Coastal Skipper practical course with his school Shearwater Sailing near Ipswich. After the level training weeks up and around the Solent with Clipper, I thought it would be a good idea to try some other UK waters and I scheduled for the week of 9 - 13th of May.

The Coastal skipper course is a great opportunity to learn new elements of sailing. Experienced salty sailors, as we are now, on the ocean we never much came across shallow waters, tides, markings, traffic, positioning, signal, course plotting etc. etc. The ocean generally is deep, the course more or less is the same for days and other traffic would not be around for weeks. Sure, with Clipper, we touched upon everything required sailing a yacht; safety, engine, crew management, victualling, anchoring, navigation etc. But on a Clipper boat, these tasks are allocated. It's much different to do them all by yourself as a skipper on a smaller cruising yacht. So there is much to be practiced.

Sailing with Shearwater in Ipswich was a great pleasure. The Hallberg Rassy yachts are of great quality (though only 36' and much slower than a 70'). And it was nice to do this course with yacht owners, who bring completely other skills to the week. Clearly, as Clipper crew, there is little to be learned, as far as sailing is concerned. But for all the rest of it, it is an intense course. Manoeuvring in tight marina spaces, planning with the tides, handling the VHF, maintaining the engine, understanding the lights of working ships, practicing the rules of the road. The whole coastal skipper syllabus is covered within one week and the Suffolk coast line offers plenty of challenges to learn.

My experience sailing with Shearwater Sailing has taught me, that it is definitely worth signing up for any of the RYA courses to compliment the Clipper experience. It is my ambition to obtain Ocean Yachmaster and find work in the sailing industry. Mark Lewis and his instructors at Shearwater sailing certainly have helped me along that path in a professional and enjoyable way. Hoping to see you on the waters somewhere.

Eelco (Clipper 2015/16)

Vernon was wonderful, cool, calm and collected. Extremely patient and instilled  confidence.I was also pleased that it was more relaxed than expected. I thought it would be Go Go Go.

Had a wonderful week.

Martha (Competent crew May 2016)

Hi Mark,

Just to say many thanks for a really enjoyable two days sailing. The added bonus was that of learning without really realising!

You have a really good approach to students and would be sailors - so thank you.

Cathy.  Training weekend. May 2016

Hi Mark,

Just wanted to say what a fantastic week we all had

Choosing a sailing school with no prior experience can be a risk, I need not have worried.

The boat was clean, perfectly maintained with not a single failure all week despite us pushing her at times and the food was good and plentiful.

Bev was brilliant! She knows her stuff and has that rare ability to balance stepping in when necessary whilst allowing us to make mistakes and learn from them. I think it fair to say all three of us wanted to carry on for another week. Your whole set up seems to have the right mix of professionalism and fun. I was delighted to be awarded Coastal skipper.

Dave May 2016

Just returned from 5 days sailing with Vernon. A fantastic course, felt that I was taken out of my comfort zone, and I have grown in confidence to take on the next challenge. Vernon should come with a health warning, as I have never laughed so much...!

Jason (Day Skipper April 2016)

I just wanted to say a very big thank you from Nigel and I for the 2 days Start Yachting course that we took part in. We thoroughly enjoyed both days and it was a pleasure to get to know you and the other members of the crew. We learnt so much and are both grateful for your calm and patience. I chose your school because it seemed supportive and a lot less intimidating than some of the others that I looked at and I was not disappointed.

Thank you once again and very best wishes

Sarah (April 2016)

Thanks Mark, it was a fab 5 days with far too much laughter. We have been playing card games all afternoon with our girls and love it. I didn't cheat this time.....

Thanks Mark again for your fab stories and tuition.

Caroline (Day Skipper own boat tuition March 2016)

I really enjoyed the couple of days. Tom was an excellent instructor and great company as well - a real "chip off the old block". Please reiterate my thanks to him. It was also fun to meet up with you and the boys down at Harwich. Hope you had a great afternoon.

Stuart (Own boat tuition March 2016)

Thanks for a top week - fantastic sailing, great company and a clear benchmark for future cruises!

Warren - West Country Cruise

I Just wanted to say a big thank you to you, Vernon and Bev for all the training input for the Yachtmaster offshore exam.  I certainly felt challenged! Thank you and Shearwater sailing once again for all your support and guidance.

Jane (Yachtmaster Offshore Passed!) Oct 2015

Massive thank you from all of us, we all had a great time and learnt so much.

Keith and Kay - Day Skipper and Competent Crew course Aug 2015

Shearwater is not only where I learned to sail; returning to them for all my RYA courses, but more importantly, where I grew in confidence. Their approach is one of inspiring enthusiasm for being on the water and to give you challenges that result in replacing any self doubt in your ability, for a firm  belief that 'Yes I  can do it'.

Although a late comer to sailing, it is because of Shearwater that I became completely hooked and wanted more; it is because of Shearwater I that I signed up for Clipper.

Jan C - Clipper race 2015-2016

Hi Mark,

I want to tell you how much I enjoyed the DS course ,it was everything and more that I thought it would be ....must be something to do with turning 50 in August and feeling the sailing bug really  kick in! I also want to say what a great instructor our lovely Skipper Beverley was.  She was totally professional and taught us all with such aplomb and also just as importantly she was such great fun... !!

I will be booking the Coastal course

So thank you once again for a really good course .

Richard - Sept 2015

Just wanted to let you know about the recent trip to Belgium and Holland with Vernon what a great time we all had.

I learnt an awful lot during the 7 days, enjoyed seeing several new places and managed to get experince for my Coastal skipper, which was ideal.

Vernon's teaching style was spot-on for me, I'm a huge fan of the see / do / teach method and the the lecturettes were handy for throwing ideas around and reinforcing knowledge.

I also enjoyed Vernon's sense of adventure with an emphasis on safety; we all had a blast.

Jon - Sept 2015