Mark’s
ability to manage the confident paddlers alongside complete beginners,
making sure we all had a great time, was really impressive.
Hedda & Simon
Feedback & Testimonials
We're always pleased to receive feedback from our customers, if you would like to contribute to this page or our blog, please get in touch.
Read what others have said about their time with elements:
Extraordinary Adventures Feedback ›
Adventures Holidays and Expeditions Feedback ›
Coaching and Leadership Feedback ›
Extraordinary Adventures Feedback
Alex
Alex swore (literally) week after week for almost a year that we would never get him in a boat. He still complains – I think he’s just stopped noticing that he’s going down a weir while he does it. Given the chance, he comes on every trip (and always brings his pyjamas).
Ben
Ben doesn’t speak in a conventional way but I know no more profound expression of pure enjoyment than his broad smiles and rebel yells as he embarks on another canoeing trip.
Chrissie
Due to problems with balance and mobility Chrissie tends to fall over quite a lot. This can be disturbing for onlookers. They think we don’t care. We just know she’s going to climb to the top of the hill, with or without us.
Dan
Dan didn’t believe that is was safe to go canoeing with Parasol. It took months of painstaking discussion and demonstration to win him round. In the end I had to throw him in and rescue him before he was convinced. Dan is the project leader for Parasol. We are still talking and he keeps coming back.
The trip to Scotland was a rare and wonderful opportunity to camp on an island in the middle of Loch Lomond, accessible only by canoes. Once I heard I was going on it, it gave me the push I needed to start seriously reducing my methadone. I was actually hoping to go with none but that didn’t quite happen, however, I was finally free from it six weeks after we got back. The memories of the trip kept me going, it was the first proper positive social time that I have had in many years and that it was spent with a great group of people gave me hope for the future as I am now tackling my alcoholism and have not had a drink since September. So many many thanks to all involved.
I really enjoyed the canoeing trip, it was definitely one of the best things I have ever done – the sense of adventure and freedom were wonderful. It also made me realise that there is more to life than festering in the hostel, it inspired me to go out more.
I was very withdrawn. No communication with others. Not in a good place. The best bit for me was the peace and the quietness, sense of achievement, team work. Discovering camping as well – learning to pack light!
Canoeing gave me a huge sense of achievement. Everyone supports everyone else and you find out things about yourself, good things about yourself. You can learn to trust people. I was most vulnerable on the first trip but there’s plenty of chance to talk through any fears and anxieties. I am more confident now (it takes time).
I enjoy the team work aspects. And it’s a lot of fun. My cheeks ache from smiling.
It was great to have the chance to go canoeing in the summer. Especially as this year has not been very good for me, it was so good to get away from the city and spend six days camping and canoeing. It was something I always wanted to do but never dreamed that I would get the chance.
Now I am trying to get a place in a rehab ‘cos I realised I haven’t had a life as I’ve been on and off heroin from the age of 18. Now I’m 31 and there is so many outdoor activities I would like to try and maybe end up getting a job in that area.
It’s given me a sense of freedom. It’s peaceful. I can think for a few hours and break away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre – it’s quite beautiful even near to town. It gives you mental stimulation as well as physical exercise – you have to use your mind and your body.
It brought me out of my shell. Over the past 6 or 7 years, my concentration, that’s been a severe problem you know. It really helps to focus the mind. And it helps to have a sense of responsibility – it’s not just you in that boat you know!
The canoeing opened up new horizons – once you do one thing other things are possible! I’ve got back into my art and my music now.
Read more about our work with the Homeless & Vulnerably Housed ›
Adventures, Holidays & Expeditions Feedback
Jeremy Spafford
As a newcomer to canoeing, two days in a party of 12 camping by the river certainly felt like jumping in at the deep end. Fortunately no jumping in was required and, thanks to clear leadership from Mark, I felt completely safe at all times. Before we went, we were given really helpful instructions about what to bring and, throughout the trip, we always knew what we needed to do. I found that my confidence grew rapidly, again thanks to the support of our leader. At first I found myself going in circles thanks to the current but by the end I was successfully steering a raft of five canoes against strong head winds. We had some great laughs as a group, both in the boats and whilst camping, with everyone getting stuck in. We all had an opportunity to take on new challenges knowing that, if we began to struggle, Mark or another member of the group would be there to help out.
The whole trip was a revelation. You can’t beat paddling down the majestic river Thames alongside the ducklings and herons under the vast changing sky through the friendly locks with a great bunch of people. Thank you elements.
Kirsten Baker
The key factor that makes Elements so special (in my experience) is that as group members we had exactly the right amount of input to enable us to feel both safe and capable. This meant that we were free to revel in the beauty of the water and the wonderful scenery – truly a fantastic weekend.
Anna
My initial anxieties about being able to handle a canoe and finding the going tough were swiftly put to rest by the excellent support and advice that Mark at Elements gave and by the enormous fun of being on the river with a group of equally inexperienced canoeists. You don’t have to be particularly fit, or skilled to take part – which was great for me. Slowing down and enjoying the countryside from a river view, spotting the wildlife and experiencing all the elements was a wonderful way to refocus life. I thoroughly recommend it. Love Anna xxx
Hedda Bird & Simon Vail
We thoroughly enjoyed our canoe trip down the Thames. Mark’s ability to manage the confident paddlers alongside complete beginners, making sure we all had a great time, was really impressive. The effort the Elements team put into making the whole experience a big success is fantastic, and their knowledge of the local hostelries along the way is worth a lot as well!. Highly recommended!
Charlie Beckett
Elements allows you to rediscover our rivers as more than a place of pleasure. You can have a lot of fun and yet feel you have learnt a few skills and a lot about the beauty of our waterways.
Read more about Holidays, Expeditions and Adventures with Elements ›
Coaching & Leadership Feedback
Erik Schorr
Owner - Anacortes Kayak Tours, Washington State, USA
Thanks for the fantastic experience this week Rob. You were a huge help in getting my head wrapped around coaching. You have a real talent for taking big ideas and making them easy for the mind to process. Best of all, you are heaps of fun to be around!
I look forward to our next meeting.
Read more about Canoe & Kayak Coaching and Leadership with Elements ›
