Testamonials | outdoorinstructor

learn to lead

Ellie Price

"Fantastic five days, well delivered, loved every minute! We packed in loads of skills over the five days, and made great progress from placing gear to attaching to anchors etc etc, to feel great about leading routes. A brilliant learning experience and a really fun five days"

Scrambling weekend

Ollie & Kelly

James,
Myself and Kellie just wanted to say thanks for a great weekend. Loved every minute and are definitely looking to get into doing more scrambling and climbing. Again couldn't have asked for anymore from the weekend, it was a great experience and we both loved it.

Again thanks

Oli & Kellie.

Fear of Heights

Clair Reynolds

It was fabulous. I learnt so much and can't believe what we all managed to achieve. It far exceeded my precourse expectations! I can't praise James and Jamie enough for their patience and calm unrushed /unjudgmental approach.

Intermediate climb

Steph James

Thanks James,

Had a great weekend and now want to jack my job in and get back outdoors!!!!

I'm sure we'll be in touch soon about getting something else booked in

Kind Regards

Steph

Begginer weekend

Clair Donald

Hi James,

Many thanks for our superb weekend of climbing! I really did have a great time and came home really fired up to get outside again as soon as possible. It seemed that I particularly out of the group found it most challenging at first, but by the end of the second day I really felt I’d progressed. It was so different from indoor climbing that I just couldn’t work it out on day one, but it came together much better on day two and I started to feel as though I could do it after all! Thank you for your patience and I apologise for being a complete wimp at first – you were unfailingly patient with me and that helped me get my confidence back. I felt that the weekend was pitched perfectly for our skills (or lack of them on my part ;-)!) and I know everyone felt the same. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to others and we are already planning a repeat weekend with you!!

Thanks again and to Ollie too – it was such a great bonus to have two of you and he was so supportive and calm as well, it was perfect.

Kind regards, Claire

Director of the Dorset Expeditionary Society

Clive Burgess

I have been involved with James's development for 10 years or so.

James has taken part in several DES expeditions. All DES participants have to take on some leadership role before and during the trip. It was noted by the expedition leader, John Hegarty, that James had natural leadership potential. Thus James was given assistant leadership responsibilities on further expeditions. When the time was right, the DES encouraged him to lead a peer group expedition and James did just that. He planned an epic six week trip cycling through France and Spain and then on to Morocco where his team stored their bikes and proceeded to climb Mt Toubkal. The expedition was a resounding success. James led the trip exceedingly well. James has gone on to lead young people from a number of organisations one being World Challenge. He has also gained the requisite qualifications. In this the DES has provided James with grants along the way.

James is an excellent communicator especially with young people ( but not exclusively ). I asked him, and he readily accepted, to be our guest speaker at the DES Christmas Ball 2013. He was an excellent and motivational speaker. He spoke passionately of his experiences with the DES. As a member James keeps in regular contact with the DES.

James's 'hard' and 'soft' skills make him a suitable leader for different activities for differing age groups. He is, for example, an outstanding mountaineer and rock climber and can teach the youngest to more

'mature' citizens. He is very perceptive, organised, trustworthy, good humoured, kind and never takes his eye off the ball. He gets to know all the team members very quickly and as a good leader should, assesses risk all the while. He is a young man with high standards and we are proud of his achievements.

James would be an asset to your organisation.

Clive Burgess

Co-Founder, Dorset Expeditionary Society ( DES ) and Expedition Leader

Private climbing course

Billy Wilson

James,

I think I speak for everyone we had a very enjoyable experience. Your teaching skills were excellent, very calm & knowledgable. We learnt a great deal but realise there's so much more to learn. On the way home we discussed when we could come up for another weekend. It looks like it's going to be next early next year. We will thrash out some dates & get in touch to see what weekends you can do.

Best regards

Billy

Right way in a day Navigation

Elis

"I thought James was a very effective instructor. He listened to my objectives and guided the day accordingly, so I now have the confidence to go out and continue with my plans. His enthusiasm for the outdoors was obvious and very contagious. He was able to keep the day light-hearted and fun whilst still covering all the technical aspects I was after. In terms of after service care, I have also been impressed. James has sent me several links to books that might interest me about navigation in general, and also specifically on the Tour du Mont Blanc which I'm doing next month. Many thanks for the day, it was one I would recommend to anyone looking to improve on their navigation skills."

Moving Outdoort

Lauren Jorden

''Really interesting and insightful, there was a lot to take on board but because James went over it until we fully understood it broke it down into smaller chunks and made it seem like less work. There was also a good flow to the information which made it more understandable as you could see the links between different things and, more importantly, why those links were made. There was enough time to think about things and learn them properly without getting tedious or repetitive. Really good level of feedback, I particularly liked that it was a combination of personal feedback and general group feedback as it gave you a range of things to think about. Extremely useful and informative.''

Hill Skills

Margaret

"All went really well, thoroughly enjoyed the course. James was first class at instructing and setting us challenges requiring additional skills as the weekend progressed. I have returned home not only with considerably improved hill skills but also much more confidence in my own ability to read and follow the map thanks to James’ encouragement. What a great guy he is ... he is a credit to your business! "

Family adventure

Clair

"We had a very good 2 days climbing with James, he is a very good instructor and I think we all got a lot out of it. Despite being only 4°C and dodging rain and hail showers our daughters really enjoyed it and want to do more climbing on rock. The girls amazed me with what they were willing and able to do, and all credit to James in that regard, as he had them doing stuff that we wouldn't have thought they could/would do. At the end of the day, Keira (aged 8) said to James "can I tell you something as a friend ?" - and said "I love you" so i think its safe to say she enjoyed herself.
many thanks"

Fear of heights

Maureen

"I had an amazing weekend - I was completely delighted, including with myself, by the end of it. My partner said I came out of the station beaming & was still beaming when I woke up this morning. Even the bruised knees & aching muscles pale into insignificance. Thank you to everyone involved. Especially James - how he managed to keep patient while repeating about 8 times where I might find a foothold, gradually decreasing the area to look in until I found it "myself", is beyond me. I loved his calm instructions and patient and supportive manner, I'm sure he has a great future in the business."

Expededition

Maddie Lyonns

I'd just like to thank you again for leading us on such an incredible trip, I had the best time of my life and I wish I could do it all over again. And thank you for not only being a great leader, but for being so open and funny and weird just like us and also for never getting sick of us.. i know we were probably alot to handle. You definately taught me alot about passion and drive and going for what you want in life, you really inspired me to chase down my goals and to work hard for what i want in the future. Life lessons that i'll keep forever. I remember something you told me about, what defines you as a person is the way that you act, and i always seem to keep that in the back of my mind now...
-Maddie Lyonns, Vietnam & Cambodia 2013/2014

India expedition

Mettha

James, thank you for being an amazing expedition leader, keeping an eye on us in the mad rush of India. You were always there to look out for us, yet you taught us Independence by letting us make mistakes in some situations. I now know that I would like to further my travelling experiences, and maybe work abroad which is something I'd never considered before as I can see from you it is possible. This has been a brilliant experience, I will never forget -We are already planning our holidays next year as a group for an expedition round Europe as our confidence for independent travel has grown through this adventure. Thank you again! Mettha Wimalasundera, India expedition

Expedition India

Sham

Dear James, I genuinely don't know where to begin! Since day 1 you have been a pillar of support, helping me to think past my negitive thoughts and appreciate the world that is around me! I genuinely believe I have been living under a rock for the last 17yrs because the last two weeks have been a real eye opener. Your amusing jokes and considerate nature have made this expedition truly memorable. Sitting at the camp fire talking about the meaning of life, talking on the roof of the school about how much I have learnt from this expedition, listening to your well thought-out emergency plans, and the constant support you have given me and the team, have been a few of the many memories I shall take away. I am so grateful for the way in which you have shaped my life. I want to go traveling. I want to glimpse new cultures, and I want to meet more people like you James, so I can truly appreciate how beautiful this world really is!

Manager for the Dorset expeditionary society

Lucy Wyman

James is an accomplished expedition leader and I have worked with him on a number of international expeditions where he has been responsible for the planning, budgeting, selection and risk assessment documentation. He has in-depth knowledge of expedition procedures and planning and can effectively manage the expedition team both during the expedition and in the UK. He has excellent communication skills and a charismatic personality, which is particularly effective in expedition team management. In previous expeditions he has worked with students from a variety of learning abilities and has gained their trust and respect with his leadership style.

An accomplished climber, James has always been very conscious of complying with National governing body regulations relating to Health and Safety. While running expeditions for the Dorset Expeditionary Society, he was responsible for the all aspects of expedition planning, mitigating risk and ensuring the safety of the team during the expedition. He has completed an impressive number of leadership and first aid courses and has hands on experience of rescue emergency care within the wild country environment. James has led numerous expeditions for several commercial operators specifically catering for the youth expedition market. His buoyant character works well with youth groups and we have found that he is an instant hit with the expedition teams he has led. He has a professional approach to everything that he does and has worked extremely well supporting mainstream students and those with additional learning needs. His calm and patient manner creates a positive learning environment that facilitates personal growth for the participants. James has been travelling on expeditions to remote locations and international wild country areas since he was fifteen years old. He has gathered some tremendous experience in his independent travel and has gained international recognition for climbing virgin peaks in India. He has produced some astonishing film reports from his independent travel and I often use these for motivational talks to my college students. He has successfully inspired many young people to take part in expeditions through his expedition talks on his personal experience and the Dorset Expeditionary Society has used him as a shining example of a very successful young leader.

I have absolutely no hesitation in recommended James to you as a high caliber expedition leader; he would make a positive and valuable addition to your company. Are there any other comments you wish to make? (This could include willingness to use initiative and potential for the post)

James excels in the Outdoor industry; he has an inherent ability to create opportunities for adventure and embraces the spirit of adventure in everything he does. He has the skills, qualities and experience to make a first rate expedition leader for Outlook. In addition he has an understanding of how to make an expedition a life-changing experience; something that the participants will

remember and cherish. This is a leadership quality that James has naturally and that has evolved through his own adventures and expeditions. He is a dynamic individual and can be relied upon at all times.

Lucy Wyman (November 2014)

Outdoor Adventure Learning Support at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester and former sectary of the Dorset Expeditionary Society.

Learn to Lead

Judith Morris

Hi James, Just a quick note to say thanks for your excellent teaching this weekend, I really enjoyed it and learnt loads. My confidence has improved, I've got a much better understanding about where to place gear and my anchoring ...well I'll hear you saying "is it a 9 or a 10" whenever I'm setting up an anchor. So job well done!! Hope you get the thorn out of your leg and have a fantastic trip to India...remember your sun cream and your mosquito spray....thanks again Judith :)

learn to lead

Helen Jackson

Hi James, thanks for a great two days and for being so patient, we learnt loads and can't wait to start putting it into practise! I'll put a post on Facebook (the Club have a page and so do I) and give you a mention.......you never know you may get hoardes of middle aged women wanting to learn to climb ha ha. Hope your leg gets better and have a wonderful time in India. Helen :)

Thanks very much for a great couple of days. I really enjoyed the course. I have learnt so much and have followed your advice and started to make notes. I appreciated how clear you were with your instructions and the right amount of detail was provided. Also a bonus that you checked to make sure I understood what it was you were telling me. Hopefully I will have most of my gear sorted in the next few weeks and will be able to start ticking off all the VDiffs! Thanks also for the advice and pointers on improving my overall climbing, rather than just leading, plenty to think about.

learn to lead

James broom

Learn to Lead

Judith Morris

learn to lead