Chicago Kayak class testimonials

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Chicago Sea Kayaking students - testimonials and comments for Chicago Kayak and the Chicago Kayak Club.
Kayak Class Reviews and Testimonials
Cynthia and Bill,

We just wanted to thank you for the wonderful lessons yesterday! We had a blast and learned so much! We will definitely be kayaking with you two again! Thanks for a great day!

~Katie and Dustin Walsh

Cynthia, Thanks for great tutelage and advice. Look forward to joining the club on upcoming events, and also fine tuning some skills. Actually, many skills. I have canoed my whole life, but never kayaked, and frankly, it was wonderful. Really liked it, but would like to practice being underwater, head down, a few more times. You did a wonderful job with the group; couldn't thank you enough.

It was great to meet you all and we hope to do it again. We had a ton of fun yesterday and we really hope we can make it out for Mississippi trip. Work schedules get busy in the summer but we are definitely going to make more paddling time! The class yesterday was great, we both ended up realizing that before we were doing a lot of things the wrong way. The cold water wasn't so bad and like bill said if I can do this in the cold, I won't have a problem when its warm!

Hope to see you all again out on the Mississippi!
Thanks,
Dustin

She made the instruction very interesting and it helped so much.

Jack, who had dumped a few times on river paddles because his balance isn't very good, especially benefited from the balance exercises, understands his center of gravity much better and has said he's quite comfortable now. This means he'll be more inclined to join me on future classes and also go for paddles more frequently when we have the time. I'm thrilled that he'll want to participate.

I loved the English kayak assigned to me. It was so light and maneuverable, it felt like a second skin. It was so light and sensitive that I had the pleasure of dumping quite a few times - more than intended!!

I look forward to more fun with Chicago Kayak and to meeting you one day.

Gillian

It was very nice meeting you and thank you for giving us the intro to Kayak...I came home and was totally exhausted but had a lot of fun. Thanks.

Well Ben fit as you saw and we had a blast! The boy wants to buy a kayak….told him he has to buy 2- cause I loved it too and he’s not going alone. Now you can say you had a 6’5” 170# in one!

Thanks for a great kayak class on Sunday afternoon! I was telling everyone about it on Monday. Before the week is over I'm going to join up and become a member of the club.

Just wanted to tell you that Karen and I had a great experience at the Sea Kayak class on Sunday Nov. 4. As we were talking on the way home, we agreed that we were glad we dumped accidentally rather than planned. We now know that we can handle it in a surprise situation.

You are a very good instuctor...very clear in directions and aware of how each person is doing. We felt like we got a lot of individual attention. We were also extremely happy that you stressed the correct procedures and safety.

First, thank you for a great experience on Saturday! I had such a blast, and I can't wait to get signed up for another class! I can't WAIT to get back out on the water...this truly was one of my favorite summer experiences to date!!!

You both are terrific! I can see why you are teachers. You use your expertise, humor and passion to help everyone succeed. Bravo! Barb M (Women's Kayaking Program)

Thank you so much, Cynthia! You are an excellent teacher. I'm definitely interested in joining, so I will check out these pages and hopefully I'll see you soon.

I want you to know that I had a wonderful time taking your class and I am hoping to take my son to one of your classes. Bobby Aranyi

Thanks again for the kayak trip on Saturday. The StreamLeaders just loved it and also really enjoyed hearing about the club and the service work that you all do. I really appreciate your taking extra time with us and talking to the group afterwards.

I just took Cynthia's Intro to Kayaking which was awesome and am a new member. . Thanks! Barb McKenzie

Cynthia,

I had a really great time in your "introduction to sea kayaking" class today and I'm looking forward to paddling with Chicago Kayak.
Thank you very much for the class and your hard work.

Jerry Stevens

Just wanted to thank you for creating such a fun group! Last night's kayak in Busse was so fun and so relaxing! Thank you for all of your hard work bringing the kayaks and just coordinating everything in general. It's greatly appreciated!! I'm still laughing at how the downpour held off -- you really do have some good connections, don't you? :)

Linda

I really enjoyed it too at Busse, -and the great company. Kayaking (which I'm just learning) is so much fun.
Didn't realize what I was missing. And I didn't capsize once!

Thanks Cynthia for this outing. Busse is not far from my work. And loved the time of day, dusk, that we
were able to get out on the water and paddle.

Dennis

Hi all,

I'm back to NYC. I really had a good time paddling/dinner with you. Too bad that I didn't have a chance to try paddling in Lake
Michigan. It looks like fun to me.

I'd like to thank everyone for the hospitality. To Roger and Bob who offered me a ride without knowing me. To Cynthia for making my
paddling in Chicago happen. (I prefer going with the club to the private tour) and to the gang that I paddled with at Busse Woods.

I hope I can somehow show my hospitality when you come visit NY. We don't have a lot of nice, clean waterways like you do in Chicago but
it's fun here as well. Let me know when you're here. But don't think you get rid of me yet. I'll be back. If not, who
knows. I may join your Alaska trip.

Thanks alot.
Pei

Dear Cynthia and Lynn,

What a hoot we had kayaking on Sunday. Even though my husband, John, was a bit afraid of doing a wet exit, he is proud of himself even getting into the
boat and doing a T-rescue! You are both wonderful and enthusiastic instructors and your knowledge was so very helpful. We learned a lot of
info and was blown away on how much there is to learn-we just thought you paddled away into the sunset.

Sure do hope you have a wonderful summer full of adventure!!

Regards,
Sally Kelm-Tip 'Em Terri's friend

Yesterday's class was fantastic. We loved it so much and it looks like this is EXACTLY the sport we were looking for. Something that we can both enjoy, gets us outside and out of the city and something that we can both enjoy doing despite the fact that Trae's athleticism and my lack-there-of won't keep either of us from having a great time. So, thank you very much - you made it a ton of fun and even the dunking part ended up being fun - in a wierd, water-up-my-nose kind of way!

Thanks Cynthia!

Christy

Hi Cynthia,

I just wanted to say thank you very much for an enjoyable class last weekend. As I told you at the time you are a very patient and talented instructor. I hope to take the intermediate class from you sometime soon.

Thanks again and I hope to see you in the near future.

Jeff E

Doug

Cynthia,

Thanks for the kayak instruction and the wonderful day trip along the Mississippi River. I loved learning
how to wet exit. I'm so excited about joining the club. I've already written all of the trips in my day
planner. It's going to be a great summer.

Happy trails,

Austin

Cynthia-
We loved it! I'm not so afraid of the water anymore. It was so nice to be so close to nature. I was checking the website today for the next outing. We plan on signing up for the club. Thanks for everything. Your hands-off approach was great, and you are able to explain everything so clearly.
-Jen (and Nate)

Just want to let you know that James (the tall guy) and I both had a great time in your class last
weekend. You are a very very good instructor. I am thinking about joining the club!
Thanks again!

Sharon

Cynthia,
Joan, Pat, and I had a great time in your class June 9th. I came home and told some friends about the class and they are excited to try it!
Thanks again!
Karen W.

Hi Cynthia,

Thank you for a job well done in the class on Sunday. Lisa and I both enjoyed it. She specifically commented that you provided a good balance between being encouraging and having reasonably high expectations of performance. I appreciated your emphasis on safety and preparation.

Thank you for your hard work and thanks again for running the class with an extra person.

Mike

Hi Cynthia,

I just wanted to tell you that Tara (friend) :) and I had a great time on Saturday. We're definitely planning on becoming members and signing up for trips soon.

Thanks. See you soon.

-Katie

Hello Cynthia,

I wanted to let you know I thoroughly enjoyed the introductory class on May
21st. Jim was an excellent instructor and I really hope to pursue this
sport. The size of the class was just right and the length was perfect as
well.

Thank you,

Lisa Jeffrey