This was a rare opportunity to experience heavy weather sailing under the instruction of a very knowledgeable and experienced skipper in a boat designed and build for sailing in the high latitudes. The crew had levels of experience that varied  from day sailing to ocean passages, yet each of us had instruction up to our level of experience and I think all of us felt grateful that we were pushed that little bit further than we expected. We were all made to feel  that we had a useful and essential role to play on the trip. Our instructor Henk has just the right balance of patience, humor + persistence probing of our knowledge to keep us all on our toes. All in all an experience not to be missed if you are lucky enough to get booked onto one of Tiama's coastal passages.

Excellent course, instructors and boat, excellent cook, the boat was very seaworthy and felt safe at all times even with winds gusting to 50 knots.

I have learnt skills which will be used through out my life, will always remember this trip that got me starting sailing

 I want to thank you for the great opportunity I had.

 Describing the experience to Joao, with all the details, I started to  realize how much I have learned at those 7 days. Now, I am starting to  enter at Joao's world. He is studying for his boat master's test and I  could actually sit and discuss some questions with him.

Sailing is a not only a new language, it is a new culture that I was not aware of. I want to thank you specially for respecting my time and my absentness  after being so seasick. You were kind and really understanding and  this was something that allowed me to slowly go back to the mood of  the trip. You knew how hard it was for me and you empathized with me. I do not think I will have a problem to sail if I decide to.  Anyway, our trip was an important start. Definitely not an end. Wishing you all the best,

Solange

Thank you for the excellent time I had on Tiama. Learnt heaps and really enjoyed myself. Thanks for sharing your gift of sailing with us - I found your style of teaching suited me well! I'm sorry I'm not a better student! Would be keen to do another course in the future. Have talked about the trip heaps at work so hopefully you'll get some more business out of the rich anesthetists I work with! Especially impressed with the food - a floating woolworths if ever there was one! Found Tiama a very easy and comfortable boat to stay on. Still think that a swim around the boat every morning should be compulsory though (I did lead by example!!!). Kind regards,

Fleur Bearda

DevonMcLean, Forester and Manager, Auckland 

Overall this was an outstanding experience for me and I would have no hesitation in recommending Henk and Tiama to anyone contemplating this type of training. If I get the chance I will be back.

Excellent course, value for money, top level instructors, perfect boat for the course.

A good course, value for money, excellent instructors, excellent boat, yes I would consider doing another course with you.

Good course, excellent value for money, plenty of opportunity to obtain information before the course started, excellent school boat so was the food.

I would do another course when I want to. Good/Excellent instructors