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Santa Fe
Intro to Kayak (Pool)
Note: The Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe is only available for 3hr blocks of time, so all Intro to Kayak and Kayak Roll classes are 3hrs instead of 4hrs. To ensure all topics are covered, and everyone receives individual attention during this limited time, class sizes are strictly capped to seven (7) for the Intro to Kayak class and five (5) for the Kayak Roll class.
Todd Gates
Betsy Glenn
Very informative class. Just the ticket to lay the foundation for starting out in kayaking.
I am impressed with organization and professionalism of Kelly's operation. The teaching methods are good and are reassuring to the extent they convey that the ability to kayak is within the reach for just about anybody (including not-so-young people like me!)
Intro to Kayak (Pool)
Note: The Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe is only available for 3hr blocks of time, so all Intro to Kayak and Kayak Roll classes are 3hrs instead of 4hrs. To ensure all topics are covered, and everyone receives individual attention during this limited time, class sizes are strictly capped to seven (7) for the Intro to Kayak class and five (5) for the Kayak Roll class.
Todd Gates
Tracy Davis
-
experienced kayaker
Very informative class. Just the ticket to lay the foundation for starting out in kayaking.
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!
The Kayak Roll (Pool)
Note: The Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe is only available for 3hr blocks of time, so all Intro to Kayak and Kayak Roll classes are 3hrs instead of 4hrs. To ensure all topics are covered, and everyone receives individual attention during this limited time, class sizes are strictly capped to seven (7) for the Intro to Kayak class and five (5) for the Kayak Roll class.
Reed Mencke
-
Retired
Betsy Glenn
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.
I like the emphasis on kayaking as a positive experience. After taking the classes, you realize that you can have a very fun time, even before mastering the roll. Other classes I've taken make the roll seem like a necessity, and learning to roll (or not), becomes the focus, which eclipses the fun of kayaking.
The Kayak Roll (Pool)
Note: The Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe is only available for 3hr blocks of time, so all Intro to Kayak and Kayak Roll classes are 3hrs instead of 4hrs. To ensure all topics are covered, and everyone receives individual attention during this limited time, class sizes are strictly capped to seven (7) for the Intro to Kayak class and five (5) for the Kayak Roll class.
Lance Johnson
-
Bradley Alpinist, LLC
Mark Nissan
This clinic introduced me to the essential strokes, and the situations in which to apply them, including understanding which stroke would be efficient for the objective. I learned so many things that I never knew about Kayaking. I also enjoyed the introduction to assisted rescue. Kelly, the instructor, gave some excellent tips on how to tkae what we learned, into a pool session or other practice, and challenge yourself with each basic skill.
Kelly is a great instructor. If you live in the Albuquerque area and want to learn kayaking, attend one of Kelly's classes.
Intro to Kayak (Pool)
Note: The Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe is only available for 3hr blocks of time, so all Intro to Kayak and Kayak Roll classes are 3hrs instead of 4hrs. To ensure all topics are covered, and everyone receives individual attention during this limited time, class sizes are strictly capped to seven (7) for the Intro to Kayak class and five (5) for the Kayak Roll class.
Nina Perea
Wren Chambers
My history with water has been very negative. When I was a kid, I almost drowned. Since then, I've found myself avoiding situations where I felt vulnerable to dangerous waters. Since my courses with Kelly, I have gained both confidence and necessary knowledge that allows me to finally enjoy the water again. Never would I have thought I would be going down class III whitewater rapids on a boogie board. Thank you Kelly. You have peaked my interest in taking more whitewater courses.
Really fantastic lesson. Thank you so much for the incredible
instruction. Ellen and Bart were wonderful instructors! I'm so excited to get out
on the water with my own kayak and put my new skills to the test. Even,
*gasp* rolling over! Best, Wren
Intro to Kayak (Pool)
Note: The Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe is only available for 3hr blocks of time, so all Intro to Kayak and Kayak Roll classes are 3hrs instead of 4hrs. To ensure all topics are covered, and everyone receives individual attention during this limited time, class sizes are strictly capped to seven (7) for the Intro to Kayak class and five (5) for the Kayak Roll class.
Heidrun Craig
Liz Miller
I learned everything that i was hoping to learn, as a result my feeling confident and safe on the water has increased tremendously!
I just took Kelly's Intro to Kayaking class at the Chavez Center in Santa Fe and really enjoyed it. He was able to work with all levels (I'd never been in a kayak with the skirt on before) and even helped me overcome my fears after the initial freakout of being strapped to my boat underwater. Great teacher, I'm looking forward to the roll class!
The Kayak Roll (Pool)
Note: The Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe is only available for 3hr blocks of time, so all Intro to Kayak and Kayak Roll classes are 3hrs instead of 4hrs. To ensure all topics are covered, and everyone receives individual attention during this limited time, class sizes are strictly capped to seven (7) for the Intro to Kayak class and five (5) for the Kayak Roll class.
Lance Johnson
-
Bradley Alpinist, LLC
Marty Teugel
-
Fish & Wildlife Service
This clinic introduced me to the essential strokes, and the situations in which to apply them, including understanding which stroke would be efficient for the objective. I learned so many things that I never knew about Kayaking. I also enjoyed the introduction to assisted rescue. Kelly, the instructor, gave some excellent tips on how to tkae what we learned, into a pool session or other practice, and challenge yourself with each basic skill.
I have taken the Intro, Roll, and the Whitewater Weekend courses. They've all been informative, supportive, and fun. It has been a progressive
learning process and I do like your emphaisis on offensive paddling
rather than defensive paddling. The Intro to Kayak (Level 1) class is a perfect foundation. I am probably going
to retake the Intro class because there was a lot in there that I just could
not absorb at one time; WAY beyond an 'intro' class!
The Kayak Roll (Pool)
Note: The Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe is only available for 3hr blocks of time, so all Intro to Kayak and Kayak Roll classes are 3hrs instead of 4hrs. To ensure all topics are covered, and everyone receives individual attention during this limited time, class sizes are strictly capped to seven (7) for the Intro to Kayak class and five (5) for the Kayak Roll class.
Glenn Wellman
-
High School History teacher, APS
Amit Goswami
-
M.D. VA Hospital
I was a self-taught kayaker who constantly got caught in situations that were either dangerous or beyond my skill. In fact, I almost gave up the sport multiple times before I met Kelly. After taking his courses, I found that I was in much better control on the river and began to enjoy it more. I never realized how much technique went into boat control and reading the river. Kayaking changed for me from a sport that constantly terrified me, to a sport where I felt exhilarated and challenged, but still in control. Kelly’s classes focus on reading the river, developing paddling skills, safety, and responsible fun. The best part of taking his courses is meeting new people to paddle with. I am now surrounded by like-mined paddlers whom I can trust on the river, for I know they received the same training. Kelly’s classes turned me into a life-long kayaker.
Kelly is friendly and professional and seems to know what he is talking about and an absolutely wonderful teacher. Kelly is very professional, sincere and a dedicated teacher. He worked very hard to teach me, and I was able to roll within 20 minutes of his instruction. Rest of the evening was one roll after another. I hope he can continue to hold more similar clinics on other advanced techniques. Thank you Kelly. Amit.
Intro to Kayak (Pool)
Note: The Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe is only available for 3hr blocks of time, so all Intro to Kayak and Kayak Roll classes are 3hrs instead of 4hrs. To ensure all topics are covered, and everyone receives individual attention during this limited time, class sizes are strictly capped to seven (7) for the Intro to Kayak class and five (5) for the Kayak Roll class.
Nina Perea
Kate O'Neil
-
Teacher / UNM Taos
My history with water has been very negative. When I was a kid, I almost drowned. Since then, I've found myself avoiding situations where I felt vulnerable to dangerous waters. Since my courses with Kelly, I have gained both confidence and necessary knowledge that allows me to finally enjoy the water again. Never would I have thought I would be going down class III whitewater rapids on a boogie board. Thank you Kelly. You have peaked my interest in taking more whitewater courses.
Excellent, well-organized class and instruction. The individualed attention on the Rio Grande trip really helped me put
newfound skills into practice. I also learned many skills
best taught in open river conditions. It's really a pleasure to experience top-notch teaching. --Kate O'Neill, 54yo teacher
Girl Scouts - Paddle, Pole & Roll Interest Project
I believe it is important for girls of this age to work together and have fun. This course exceeded my expectations in both teamwork and fun!
Kayaking is a really great experience. It not only introduces the girls to a new skill but shows them they
can accomplish something they probably thought they would never be
capable of.
