KAYAK INSTRUCTION

Hi...........I'm Tom Cofer .......and I visited with you this past week-end with Team River Runner's........I am a volunteer with the chapter at the VA Hospital in Augusta.........and I want to express my personal appreciation for you wonderful help with Team River Runner's experience with you. Juliette, Sara, and Sam were so patient and helpful.......to all of us.......and we are truely thankful for your help.......all of us who work with the 'guy's'........were very impressed by your instruction as to how we can help them and work with them in a safe and positive way........We can away feeling that we are much better prepared to continue to work in this area........

I can't help but be impressed that you were so helpful in dealing with so many people on so many levels .......all at the same time............and we sincerely thank you......

-Doc, Augusta GA

I wanted to say thanks so much to Steve for 2 great days of instruction. He was very patient and explained things well. I feel much more confident getting in and out in of eddies and moving about in stronger current (no more sneaking out the back of eddies). I never thought I would see the day when I wasn't panic stricken going down the falls or would actually be enjoying myself going in and out of eddies across strong current and ferrying back and forth.

Ever since Dr. Mike McGhee told me aboutCosta Rica I have wanted to go. I am going to put that as my goal for Thanksgiving 2009 if there is a class II/III trip since I don't think I will be quite ready yet this year unless I really get the hang of combat rolls quickly. That will be something to look forward to and I can't wait.

- Thanks again,Mary Mills, GA

i just wanted to say thanks for a wonderful pi. i learned tons and
had fun in the process. the best part of it though, was getting to
spend time with you. you're not only a great instructor but really
fun to talk to and hang out with.
thanks again!
-michele aka the consistently inconsistent excited to see the bottom of
the river at double trouble paddler :-)

thanks for a great day on the Ocoee.
it was a bit of a stretch for you having both mercer and i there (with somewhat different needs for the day) but you made the best of it and both got alot out of it.i am still brooding over getting chundered at double trouble. next time i will leave mercer at home (har har!)thanks again
- jeff, 2008

Please, pass along to Steve that everyone in our family had a great time on 18 Aug on our Endless River Adventures, guided duckie trip on the Ocoee. Steve proved to be a great guide, with a good mix of cooperation, river skills, patience and friendship. On top of that, we lucked out with a great weather day, when there were few folks on the river. I sincerely mean it when I say it simply could not have been better. My kids walked off the river standing taller, for having done it on their own. I also benefited, since my open boat memories from former runs, was somewhat foggy IRT where to be on that river. Steve was a good all around coach for all of us. We even lucked out and got a couple of good photos from the Ocoee Photo folks that were working Double Trouble. I expect to do business with your company again and look forward to seeing you guys on the rivers.

-CAPT Steve Elrod, USN, 2008

I wanted to thank you again for working with my daughters Nicole and Natasha. They were so excited afterwards and that was what I really wanted for them. We will be back for more instruction. In the meantime, we will keep practicing the skills you taught them. I also wanted you to know I referred a colleague of mine to you for a day of touring kayaking. They are both novices and I assured them that they will be in good hands at Endless Rivers. Thanks again for everything!

Mary Misulich, 2008

Thank you for teaching me how to kayak. You were a very nice teacher. Thank you for the Ice cream. It was so good!

Sincerely, Nicole

PS SYOTR!

Thank you for teaching me and the ice cream. It was fun to kayak with you. I think you are the best teacher. I liked the big waves too! I hope I have another lesson with you.

Love, Natasha

Thank you for the information [on kayak instruction]! Turned out ( i mentioned in passing that i have been considering investing into taking a kayaking lesson) that a very close friend of mine took a two - day lesson from you and she did highly recommended you to me as well as your entire facility as "these are the people to go to"... I am always amazed by synchronicities.

- Lioubov 2008

Hi Juliet,

Great seeing you on the Ocoee. I had a great lesson with Brian. I will be back with my son next year for more lessons.
-Rob Martz 2008

I wanted to thank you again for conducting the kayak demonstration with Venture Troop 134 on Tuesday night. We greatly appreciate your willingness to accommodate the troop and spend one extra day here at Pfeiffer. The kids, and adults, had a great time and learned a lot. What a wonderful thing you and Endless River Adventures do for the public and "want to be" kayak pros!
- Micki Thompson, Athletic Operations Manager/Assistant Director of Compliance at Pfeiffer University 2008

Thank you very much for taking the time to come to Pfeiffer and conduct the Kayak demo. It was extremely fun and challenging and I look forward to doing more trips with your company in the future. Thank you for the friendly staff at ERA, all of you help to make paddling sports enjoyable for people who are just beginning.
Thanks again,
- Jeremy Morris 2008

Kayaking is sooooooooooo amazing, I kinda already knew, but now I'm even more stoked...
What you guys do is spectacular and we loved it!!!!
I am still thinking about how to get it down pat next time even though it is days later and I have papers to write and tests to study for.
Endless Rivers is my hero and you were one of the most respectful and patient instructors I have ever encoutered... Hats off (from a education major)...
- Sarah Ellen Cruthis 2008

Sorry we did not cross paths yesterday. I was with the kids and it was a rough day without being able to take them outside to play.
I want to thank you. Thank YOU. You and your company have been a resource and support for me for so many years. Rob and I often talk about being islands, disconnected from others in the places where we work. Both the professional and personal relationships I have with you and your team has provided me with such support over the years, and highlights such a bright spot for my programming, and because of that I am in your debt.
I understand the fiscal issues around conducting Kayak Demonstration clinics, especially for free. I will say, however, for a program director, this service is invaluable. Water is not an area that I am gifted or strong in, and our program does not have the resources or budget to purchase a fleet of boats. Through Endless River Adventures, I am able to programmatically extend experiences for students and community members that are exceptional. From the quality of the boats and the professionalism and expertise of you and your staff, the participants are given a real, REAL, experience and introduction to kayaking. It always amazes me watching the faces of the participants and seeing which ones that the seed has been planted and they are hooked. Hooked just by this one experience. Hooked because they see that something they thought was impossible is possible. Hooked because they are affirmed. Hooked.
So, with all of that, thank you. Even though my chapter is done here, I will highly encourage the new person to use the one and only rafting service that I know - Endless River Adventures. Sure, there are others, but I KNOW only one that embraces and highlights all of those philosophies and tenets that resonate for me in this field and towards stewardship and the love of adventure and sport.
We will stay in touch. I have two little ones that I need you guys to help mold them into river lovers.
Happy paddling trails,
-Joseph Pate,Director of the Center for Outdoor Leadership, Assistant Professor - Leadership Education Minor, Pfeiffer University 2008

Thank you for a great two days of instruction.
By learning the new strokes and correcting my old ones, I feel more confident on the water. I appreciate that you took the time to explain the moves in basic terms that were easy to understand. I know this is why I was able to roll; my brain wasn't being garbled with too much information to process.
Overall, I learned a lot and had a great time doing it. I hope I can do this again next year.
Thanks,
- Pat Owens 2008

RE: Nantahala Open 2008
Tony, Bryan, Scott, Juliet, Ken and all the Gang,
A big THANK YOU to all of you for putting together such a fun weekend! Your efforts are appreciated. (Wish I could have helped more but, I felt I had to seize a moment)
Taylor & I and all our friends had such a great time. They wanted me to relay to you that they thought it was all done in a “class act” way. Both Wave Sport and ERA really shined!
- Ken Cote 2008

Thanks for a fantastic day! I think Colemade great leaps and set the stage for many years of father sonkayaking. When we went over the Cartacay in Ellijay (at 6pm) heexpected me to stop to go run it with him!
See you Sunday!
-Brooks 2008

I had my private yesterday with Whitney, and just wanted to let you know that she was a *great* instructor match for me, so thank you for the recommendation!
- Dana 2008

From a guy who loves to write; I am still at this moment without
adequate words to convey my appreciation to Steve Augustine and Whitney Lonsdale for going the extra mile for a boater in distress. For not just thinking about action but for taking action. Little does anyone realize how little strength I had left. It may have not been evident from shore but; feeling the flow against the hull I knew exactly where my boat and I were headed if I let go and there would have been absolutely nothing anyone could have done to help till the dam was off.
Some thought I was crazy but, for me it was imperative that I get back in my boat and finish the run....and I did....and I got off the river with a smile.....and I went back again the next day. I echo my daughters feeling for the sport, "It's part of who I am".
Thank you,
- Ken - 2008

“Thank you to both Steve and Juliet for their time this weekend and Monday. I learned a great deal (as always), especially with my lefty roll, using the water, boofs, squirts, etc. Steve worked on some muscle memory drills for the lefty roll which really helped… Thanks again for everything and I will be back for the September Cheoah release...
- Brent Samples, 2007

“It's hard to believe a month has already flown by since my visit with ERA and our trips down the Nantahala and Ocoee! I wanted to write to share just how grateful I am for everything, and also to express how impressed I was with the quality of instruction that you offered.”
- Heather Huckabea, 2007

“The group had a great time. Exceeded all their expectations. These guys said they wanted ‘intermediate’ skills training but were apprehensive when I endorsed a Nantahala to Ocoee weekend. They came back smiling. When I heard they’d had Matt as one of their instructors, I knew they’d been in good hands.
One of my goals was to have my 2 leaders observe and learn from your instructors, and it is clear that happened. Not to worry – ERA is at the top of the list.
- Ed Daugherty, 2007

“After noticing most of our local "young guns" on the James were taught at ERA we saw no reason to break tradition with my son Philip. I came with a bit of "parent nerves" and admittedly high expectations. As a boater I came into this knowing how important keeping his first boating experiences positive are to his future boating "career". My expectations for Philip were not only met but blown off the chart by ERA and Philly!

After running shuttle for the guys on the afternoon Tuck run I waited anxiously at the take out. When they came in view I could see a noticeably different little boater than I had dropped off at the put in with Philly. Philip was tired but fired up about kayaking…my primary goal satisfied. (He has since used the "tools" he left ERA with to begin rolling with a paddle and hand rolling -- very impressive to me for a kid who was not comfortable sticking his head in the water when he arrived at ERA two weeks ago).

The next day I received a run down most of the way back to Richmond about S.A.L. the River God, "sneaking farts in class" to use your edges, hydrology, river safety and much more. I was very impressed with what Philly covered in only one day. He is awesome with young boaters and balances pushing his new student to learn without scaring them off in the process. In short we will be back and I can recommend Endless River Adventures and Philly Williams without reservation to any other parents looking for the perfect entry level kayak instruction for children.”
- Russ Martin, 2007

“Thank you sooo very much to Juliet for guiding me back to a sense of competence and confidence in kayaking. You are such a gifted teacher—accurately intuitive on when and how far to nudge past anxiety towards incremental steps to success, unfailingly positive and encouraging. I appreciate each and every opportunity to be the recipient of your talents and I always welcome and enjoy your engaging company.”
- Karen, 2007

"thank you again for a great day on the Tuck and Nantahala! I am thrilled to learn some new moves and to try out a smaller boat. Your instruction was excellent, and, being a teacher myself, I appreciate your style of teaching, your patience and your enthusiasm. Kudos to you!”
- Patty Campbell, 2006

“I just wanted to drop you line and say thanks for the great time in North Carolina. Your guides are true quality on and off the river. Please extend this note to them as well, including Doug Geiger, Brian Snyder, and Matt Jennings.”
- Luis Vela, 2006

“Just wanted to drop you a note, and let you know how much I enjoyed my two days of instruction with Brian last Monday and Tuesday. Brian is a great instructor. He really made me feel comfortable, safe, and not at all pressured. Easy going, but thorough. One on one is by far the best way to get the most out of instruction in this sport. I will keep working on the basic skills learned and hope to come back for more instruction next summer if not sooner.”
- Dan Fisher, 2006

“Thanks again for a great weekend. I know that you know this but it never hurts repeating--Craig was one of the better instructors I have had. He was really good at diagnosing the more subtle flaws in my roll as well as providing fixes and exercises to cure the above. I'll have plenty to work on the rest of the summer.”
- Jane Majeski, 2006

“Just wanted to say thanks again to Juliet and Ben for our instruction last week, we really enjoyed our time on the water. And yes we are in the market for whitewater boats now so you'll probably be seeing us again really soon!”
- Tim and Lindsay Lamie, 2006

”Words cannot convey how appreciative and happy I am about yesterday’s kayak instruction that you gave me. You explain things in a calm, easy-to-understand way that inspires confidence and a strong desire to learn. You helped me to exceed what I thought were my unreasonably high expectations from a one-day session: being able to accomplish a roll with some consistency, and moving in new ways confidently through fast-moving water, was absolutely exhilarating! Those lessons will stay with me always, making my time on the rivers so much more rewarding and safe than I had imagined myself able to have.

Thank you for taking the time to share your day with me. Your approach to kayaking undoubtedly reflects your preference in lifestyle, which is one of artistic precision and grace. As did Mary last year, I enjoyed your company through the day so much; you are a special individual, whose talent for making us feel good about our boating abilities – while working us through a taxing regimen of instruction – is exceptional.

Your gift to me of helping me enthusiastically pursue my passion for moving through whitewater in a kayak with incredibly more confidence and enjoyment is immeasurable….I know I join countless others who are happy to confirm that you make a positive difference in the world.”
- Skip Schwen, 2005

“Thanks for taking care of us this weekend. Steve lived up to the standards that Morgan and I have grown accustomed to from Endless River and look forward to working with him again. We had a great relaxing day on the Tuck while rebuilding our skills.”
- Ron Schlosser, 2005

“Thank you for the wonderful kayaking experience that you shared with Troop 2000. Our scouts had an awesome time. An older scout was over heard saying “This was the best camping trip ever!” and others were asking when we could go again as they began trying to talk their parents into buying kayaking equipment.

A special thanks for the patience and kindness that you showed to the scouts who had difficulties. It was your consideration that turned this camping adventure into a positive experience for them.

We will be sure to tell other scouting units in our area about Endless River Adventures.”
- Shannon Anderson-Rush, 2005

LAKE TOURING

We had a great time yesterday at Calderwood. Sarge was excellent and everyone enjoyed the delicious lunch. Thanks for helping us with this – we look forward to doing it again.

-Kate Parkerson, The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee

“Just a quick note to thank you for the great kayak lake tour while we were in NC July 4th weekend! Sarge was the greatest! He couldn’t have been more gracious, fun, and patient with us, and we all had a super day on Lake Calderwood – it was the highlight of our family reunion! Sarge actually tried to get us to believe it was he who had the most fun!! He’s a real PRO, and in our opinion deserves a big pat on the back (and definitely a big raise!!)
Hope to see you again next year for more adventures!!”
- Scott Tyler, 2007

“My wife and I would like to thank you and especially, John, for a wonderful kayaking tour last Monday. We had a fantastic time and John made a couple of novices feel like we knew what we were doing. We are looking at bringing our boys up for a long weekend soon and we will contact you to arrange a time for another outing. Again, thank you for the wonderful experience and please tell John thank you from my wife and I.”
- Jim and Connie Wegmann, 2005