November 12, 2011

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter to recommend the teaching skills of Norman Claassen.   Norman instructed me in the safe loading, handling, and firing of rifles and other firearms, for use in my professional endeavors.  I am an Expedition Leader and Naturalist for a small-ship expedition company called Lindblad Expeditions, and part of my job requires me to spend time working in the Arctic, in areas frequented by polar bears.  As such, I am required to know how to load, carry, and accurately fire a rifle for safe guest operations ashore.

Norman agreed to instruct me and tailored the class to meet the specific skills I would need to possess.  He studied my company’s procedures and policies regarding operations ashore in the Arctic, and created a course that would teach me to react quickly and confidently.  Norman is a skilled instructor, who was adept in analyzing my comfort level from the start.  He demonstrated skills and encouraged me to practice them repeatedly, allowing my confidence to build.   In knowing my company’s particular procedures, he also simulated scenarios that I might encounter, and taught me to react accordingly.

Norman was patient with me and enthusiastic about my learning.  He stressed safety as the number one priority, followed by familiarity with the equipment, and a great deal of practice.  Norman was clear in his instruction and never pushed me to move forward until he was sure that I had mastered the particular skill being taught.  He is very knowledgeable about this field and ensured that I was always in a safe teaching environment.

In closing, I can say without hesitation that Norman’s instruction gave me the confidence to safely operate and handle my firearm while working, and was invaluable to my professional development.  I cannot recommend him highly enough to anyone looking to acquire these skills.

My 10 year old son and I was watching Mick Dodge on National Geographic. We loved the adventures  he had in the Hoh valley on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.    This episode featured Norm the Legendary Archer of the Forest. Mick needed to make a bow to protect him against cougars and bears in the summer. He had a pair of leather pants to barter for the bow that Karl bartered for a giant burl piece of wood and a container of berry jam that Mick harvested from the forest with the help of his apprentice Will.

So I looked up “Norm the Legendary Archer of the Forest” on the Internet. I found his email and began corresponding with Norm about coming to Washington to learn how to make a bow from vine maple using a hatchet! The trip was made in June and would be ten days long. I brought my dad and son with me for an adventure. The first day we woke up to find Norm had made us coffee and set up a target bag on the hill in line with the second story balcony. He had a recurve bow and some arrows leaning in the rail. That was the beginning of my lessons with Norm in Archery. It seems everywhere we went there was an opportunity to shoot some arrows and get lessons from Norm!

We shot on the bank of the Sol Duc river, an open field on Karl’s property, but the best place was in the Eagle’s nest 100 feet high! Karl and some of his friends built a platform above the tree line with a sturdy ladder made from 100 feet trees. The view was breathtaking and after shooting two quivers of arrows I managed to hit a bag target 250 yards away on the grass field below us.

Norm can teach you how to adjust your anchor points and use your knuckles as a reference point to hit your target. His consistency and attention to detail has got me started on the road to archery!

From WA

I am finally beginning to feel comfortable alone at the range of Glacier Gun Club largely because of Norman Claassen, Firearms Instructor.  As a novice, mandatory rules at the Club require enrollment in a Basic Pistol/Safe Gun Manipulation Class.

Since the time of that first encounter, I have had approximately nine hours of lessons and practice drills with Norman.  The core of his instruction has been clearly presented both verbally and in detailed handouts.  Classroom instruction has proved essential in preparing for shooting at the range.  Norman’s teaching technique was designed to share his expertise, but also strategically planned to help students utilize their own learning style as they practiced the sequential processes involved in loading, unloading, and overall safe gun manipulation.  We never advanced to another step until Norman received adequate feedback from students that we felt safe.

Norman was adept at assessing my motor skills (or lack thereof…) as well as finding my level of confidence with a gun in my hands.  He stressed the utmost importance of my knowledge, rights, and responsibilities as a firearm owner.  There were many other essential points of his instruction , and each was presented in a thorough but concise manner.  However, the most important aspects of his work were in addition to the sharing of factual information and practice of skills.

By my nature, I am quite perfectionist, and therefore given to discouragement if I do not succeed relatively easily.  Norman’s patience and gentleness as he corrected me was amazing. I am still recovering from shoulder replacement surgery, and I have quite a weak left arm and hand.  Norman worked tirelessly, never once raising his voice or appearing to be exasperated with me.  We worked diligently on my unbalanced stance, my index finger placed far too often on the trigger, and my finger “pull” rather than finger “squeeze “.  We worked on everything, because I needed it!

He and I repeatedly practiced at the range the proper shooting sequence.  First, Norman would verbalize the next step and I would carry through.  Then, I was to be the instructor and Norman the student.  One incident occurred early on when I incorrectly said (rather loudly…) “Cease Fire” rather than “Show Clear”.  Everyone on the range halted immediately as they knew to do; I felt very foolish, but Norman used his wonderful touch with people and somehow put a positive spin on this.  I find this trait to be fabulous in a teacher!

In additional sessions on the range, he continues to watch me, makes corrections, demonstrates, and gives feedback.  He has also provided much needed support for my decision to begin shooting and become as proficient as possible in preparation for concealed carry.

I hope that the reader can clearly glean from this information that I am extremely satisfied with Norman’s instruction in a sport that is both potentially lifesaving and life threatening.  I am so appreciative of his approach to teaching and his expertise in the handling of firearms.  I give my highest commendation to this gentleman and the marksmanship that he teaches.