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As Kayak instructors we realize that we are nothing without a keen new face to teach. We are always grateful to our students who take the time to send us a nice note. We are also always glad to receive constructive feedback! Below are the comments of some of our past students.
"For all your hard, hard work. We saw the tip of the iceberg on trip, and having done long hike and canoe trip planning, I know that there is a huge amount of work that goes unseen. Then add to that the lesson planning, and preparation. You both worked your behinds off, before and during, and I am sure after too. In my view, it was a huge success, and as D's father, your efforts and skills have allowed me to give him something that is rare, valuable, and truly durable. I cannot thank you enough for that." NK
"Many thanks for a fantastic weekend. We thought we were "paddlers at heart" and the two of you just confirmed it for us.
Everything was great - your care & attention, excellent instruction, meals and obvious enjoyment of what you are doing made the entire experience delightful." CS
"Hi James and Dympna, I just wanted to let you know that Simon has not stopped talking about kayaking since Sunday afternoon. He had a great great experience and learned so much from the both of you. You are wonderful instructors and so motivating and reassuring." HS
"A big thumbs up on your Level 1 course with hearty encouragement for anyone wanting to rapidly get a base set of skills. The two day event was worth every cent: appropriately serious, yet often funny, shared with a nice-sized group made for an enjoyable, educational two days. I'm going to get far more enjoyment sooner out of my new boat because I took this course. Tremendously appreciated was the way questions were welcomed. You love what you are doing, and it is infectious." NK
"At 45 yrs old, I just learned to swim during the winter of 2008-2009. The flat water kayaking course was a greatintroduction to kayaking for me as a beginner. The pool course provided a great opportunity to learn kayaking skillswithin the "controlled environment" of a swimming pool. The instructors were encouraging, patient and provided both beginners and more advanced individuals with not only the basics but more challenging moves if there was interest. All the practicing of assisted rescues and self rescues have given me more confidence in the kayak. After only three short lessons I have a wealth of knowledge that can be drawn upon when I am ready to purchase a kayak and related equipment." JR
"I would like to thank you for being such great instructors! Your passion for paddling in an inspiration! It helps bring me down to earth since I think I'm such a know-it-all!" MP
"JAMES AND DYMPNA ARE SKILLED KAYAKERS AND EXCELLENT TEACHERS. I HAD NO EXPERIENCE WHATSOEVER, BEFORE I TOOK THEIR COURSE AND NOW FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT GOING OUT ONTO THE LAKE AND ENJOYING MY NEW KAYAK. I WAS VERY WORRIED ABOUT TIPPING OUT OF THE BOAT AND THE RESCUE PART BUT WITH THEIR EXPERT GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT I'M VERY GLAD THAT I DID IT AND IF IT DID ACTUALLY HAPPEN ON THE LAKE I WOULD KNOW WHAT DO DO WITHOUT FEAR AN ANXIETY. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT THAT ALL KAYAKERS SHOULD HAVE WITH THEM." Janet A
"I took the Level One weekend course with Learn to Kayak at the end of May - and boy was it cold. However, Dympna and James were always very attentive to each and every student in the water. Thanks to their watchful eyes and judgment it was a great experience. They work great as a teaching team and use funny metaphors and faces to help you remember techniques. I highly recommend Learn to Kayak and hope to see them again during the summer" Paula L
"As a newcomer to the sport of Kayaking, I found that the two-day Level I Sea Kayaking course with James and Dympna significantly increased my comfort level on the water and my paddling skills. Prior to this course I had done a fair bit of canoeing and some kayaking, mostly on smaller lakes and rivers. I had been on Lake Ontario twice with my recently purchased kayak, but was not really comfortable with the larger swells. James and Dympna's course was held on Lake Ontario and fortunately for me, the first day and half were quite calm. However, by the afternoon of the second day, the wind came up with waves breaking over my bow and I was not the least bit concerned! Furthermore, James and Dympna's passionate enthusiasm for the sport and extensive experience inspired my sense of adventure. I highly recommend any of their courses for those wishing not only to develop their skills but to increase their comfort level on the water." Gilbert L.
"I was introduced to kayaking by James and Dympna last summer, first through basic instruction and then the Level I Sea Kayaking course. Their enthusiasm is contagious and their instruction is very thorough. Best of all, they are a lot of fun, and that's the only way to enjoy kayaking! I fully intend to continue developing my paddling skills under their excellent guidance!" Carol G.
"My husband and I purchased our kayaks from the Outdoorsman show last Spring. Since then we had had a private lesson with Dympna along the Sixteen Mile Creek in Oakville and then we signed up for their Flatwater and their Level 1 course. Both James and Dympna are very patient teachers, a boat load of fun and very skilled at what they do! The knowledge and confidence they instilled in us, motivated us to try Georgian Bay. With Kilbear, Killarney, Lionshead, Algonquin and Lake Huron under our belts, we are all set for another season of adventure on the open water!" Sarah F.
"Thanks again guys for an awesome weekend. I can not thank you enough for the experience. The skills and confidence I have gained from the course is invaluable. I can't thank you both enough." Alan D
YOU GUYS ROCK!|
You are both such great instructors with amazing people skills. Just wanted to say thanks for the Level 1 course and will be looking forward to your next course. Sandy and I went for a nice paddle yesterday to finish off a great long weekend. What fun; )
see ya" Alison F.
"Having been a canoeist since the age of three, I was a little nervous to make the switch into a kayak. James and Dympna also enjoy canoeing so were able to explain the difference in the strokes to me in a way I could relate to. I was so relieved at how transferable my skills were. The instruction was thorough, skillful and most importantly, fun! By the end of the weekend I was hooked! I can’t wait to take my Level 2 with them next year." Julia S.
"Last summer I had the opportunity to take a Level 1 course with Dympna and James and it was an amazing experience. They are very knowledgeable and experienced instructors. Both of them are very patient and encouraging every step of the way. Not only are they great teachers but also fantastic cooks. Dympna and James shared a number of wonderful "Kayaking recipes” and we even got to taste of some of the yummiest meals they make on their trips. Their instructions and teaching style is full of real life examples and many live demos which make the course very exciting!
Now I am looking forward to go on a kayaking trip with our awesome instructors!" Karolina G.
"I would have to encourage anyone interested in getting closer to nature to sign up for James & Dympna's Kayak Training Sessions. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! A "MIND BLASTING" experience. " -Bobby G
"I would like to thank you both for a wonderful time and a great learning experience.
I am also looking forward to the private rolling session. Please let me know when you guys are available." Al H
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 February 2010 04:39 )
James Roberts
Born on the Isle of Wight just off the south coast of England, James grew up in and around the water and can’t imagine his life without it. James’ first kayaking experiences were the eight years he spent surf kayaking in the English Channel. James became certified and worked as a carpenter/joiner but spent all of his free time in his kayak, riding the waves alongside his surf buddies.
Although James loved the rural beauty of the Isle of Wight, he had visited Canada many times as a child and felt drawn to come and explore a life here. Thanks to his dual citizenship he immigrated to Canada in 2003. He attended Algonquin College one year later. Graduating with honors as an Adventure Naturalist there was only one path he wanted to travel and that was the way of the paddle. For the last four years, James has guided countless trips on Lake Superior. James is still happiest playing in the waves and now enjoys mastering new Greenland rolls as well. He’s combined his two skills and has recently started building custom Greenland paddles. James has achieved his Level 3 kayaking skills, Level 2 Instructor, Wilderness First Aid Responder and is an AESKO certified great lake sea kayak guide.
Dympna Hayes
Dympna bought her first kayak in 2001 and began her time in a kayak as a weekend warrior. Working in the corporate world, hauling back and forth on the Go Train into Toronto each day, she dreamed of getting out of the office and into her kayak. Her dream trip was to paddle Pukaskwa National Park on Lake Superior but knew she needed to improve her skills.
She began improving her paddling skills through Paddle Canada courses. She is currently a Level Three paddler and Level two instructor. She took her Wilderness Advanced First Aid Training and AESKO Guides Training then proceeded to certify as a Paddle Canada instructor. Along the way she somehow convinced herself she could make a living at it, so she left her job in the city and never looked back! She began guiding trips on Georgian Bay and has also had the opportunity to guide the Pukaskwa section of Lake Superior she had always dreamed of paddling.
Dympna is also a Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor so don’t be surprised if you do a few yoga postures before settling into your kayak.
Over the next four years, he spent his time between York University, studying for a bachelor of environmental studies degree, and The Complete Paddler, working in sales, repairs, and instruction.
Brett’s interest in traditional Greenland kayaking was ignited in 2005 when he first learned a standard layback roll using a Greenland paddle. From there he delved into Greenland Inuit history, rope gymnastics (Qajaasaarneq), paddle construction, and boat design. He has twice traveled to Michigan for the QajaqUSA training camp (2006 & 2008) learning from top North American Greenland instructors including Dubside, Turner Wilson, and Cherry Perry.
Brett has been teaching Greenland kayak lessons for the last three years. This is complimented by his status as a certified teacher with the Ontario College of Teachers.
In teaching Greenland kayaking skills, Brett’s focus is on providing direction through an understanding of the basic dynamics of how the rolls work. He works on a one on one basis to optimize the student’s understanding of the techniques and improving their skills.
Brett’s passion for kayaking is clear and contagious; he not only ensures that you further develop your own skills, but more importantly that you have fun in the process.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 November 2009 20:44 )