New Mexico Kayak Instruction is pleased to offer the first official, 3-week open-to-the-public kids kayak class in Albuquerque for kids 14 - 17 years old. This 3-week series will include 12 hours of pool instruction covering basic strokes and concepts to effortless paddling, fun skills-building games including Ultimate Kayak Frisbee, Indoor Slalom and Kayak Polo. The last week will wrap up with an introduction to the kayak roll¹.

Upon completion of this course, most kids should be competent kayaking on flat water, such as Cochiti Lake or easy rivers such as the Rio Grande Bosque.

The 3-week series will take place on the following dates²:

1. March 25th, 4 - 8pm, at Los Altos Pool
2. April 1st, 4 - 8pm, at Los Altos Pool
3. April 7th, 8 - 12pm, Rio Grande Indoor Pool

An optional trip on the Rio Grande Bosque may be offered at the end of this course.

The video below is from a recent 'Family Day', and included kids of all ages.  Our 3-week clinic will be much more structured, but will still include a lot of fun and games!

¹ The kayak roll will be taught at the instructor's discretion based on each individual child's comfort and proficiency in a skirted kayak, as well as their ability to follow directions and overall comfort level being upside down in the water.

² One free make-up session will be offered in conjunction with our regular 2nd or 4th Wednesday 'Kayak Pool Party' at Los Altos Pool, on Wednesday nights from 8 - 10pm

I took the Intro to Kayaking (level 1) class and it was GREAT. I'd actually done a lot of different types of kayaking (touring, sea, whitewater), but had never gotten any formal instruction. Wow, what a difference a few hours makes. I learned a lot of technique that I had been lacking. Kelly is a great instructor and I was impressed with how efficiently the class was put together. He is passionate about enabling people to participate in the sport that he loves. Definitely recommend this class to anyone interested in learning to kayak!

Tracy Davis  -  experienced kayaker

I want you to know how much I benefitted from your white water and roll classes.  Kelly your presentations Saturday and Sunday were always clear and packed with vital information.  The way you sketch out the hazzards and river features makes them surprisingly easy to remember on the river.  On the river you worked hard with each of us and I thought we class members got far more feedback and individual attention than in other kayak classes I have taken.  Glenn and Michael also seemed genuinely interested in our progress and were always willing to answer my questions and provide good feedback.  All in all the class was both challenging and a lot of fun and I feel it greatly accelerated my development as a white water kayaker.

Reed Mencke  -  Retired

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