Santa Fe

Girl Scouts - Small Craft, Junior Badge

My girl approached the class as 'something my dad signed me up for and I don’t want to go', but she had a blast and wants to do it again.

Robert Miller - Dad of a Girl Scout

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.

Kristen Thome - Troop #1623, Juniors, Albuquerque, NM

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Girl Scouts - Small Craft, Junior Badge

Kelly is someone who knows the sport of kayaking and is able to teach in a safe, effective and fun way. Not only did the girls have a total blast, but they learned the names for all parts of their kayak and equipment, how to safely enter and exit a kayak, how to help someone else who may be in trouble, what to do in inclement weather and how to best move through the water (to name a few). We had our last Girl Scout meeting of the year last week, and when I asked the girls what their favorite experience was over the last 3 years, 75% chose kayaking. I would highly recommend Kelly to anyone and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Cris Todd - Girl Scout Troop #1521

You guys rock!!! I couldn't wait another minute to tell you how much fun the girls had last night! What a great lesson! We didn't even need the games because they enjoyed what they were doing so much. One of the coolest things was seeing girls who were a little bit timid, feel comfortable enough to try things that they normally wouldn't have tried. What a great time! Well done all!

Cris Todd - Girl Scout Troop #1521

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Girl Scouts - Small Craft, Junior Badge

Special thanks to New Mexico Kayak Instruction and Kelly Gossett for a great weekend up in Pilar last month for the beginner lesson on the white water. My family had a fantastic time. Pictured is my 12 year old son who is profound deaf paddling the river. Kelly truly is a master kayak instructor that can teach at all levels of ability and provide hours of fun for the whole family.

Matt Painter - Retired Fireman

I would wholeheartedly recommend this course. My girls had a blast and I thought the price was a bargain. My girls are young enough, so almost any activity is still "fresh" for them…they are up for about anything. The girls had a blast - they really enjoyed this.

Kathleen Tighe-Smith - Troop #10228, Brownies, Albuquerque, NM

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Intro to Kayak, Classroom

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

Wren Chambers

Very informative class. Just the ticket to lay the foundation for starting out in kayaking.

Todd Gates

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Intro to Kayak, Pool Lesson

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.

Nina Perea

I had a blast at your intro to kayak class! I've been kayaking for several years and wished i had taken this class years ago! I learned many new techniques that i did not even know existed! I have always been hesitant about white water kayaking but with the tools and techniques i learned from your class, I have decided to join more classes and brave the white water class in a few weeks.Thanks for your support and I look forward to taking more classes with you!

Betty Beaudry - Experienced kayaker

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Intro to Kayak, Pool Lesson

Even though I only took the Intro to Kayak class at the pool prior to the Coastal Kayaking on Inlandwaters 'Kayak Touring' course, I was confident in performing the wet exit in open waters…the rescue exercises were by far the biggest asset of the class.

Betty Beaudry

Kelly is very articulate with great attention to detail. He comes highly recommended by those who have attended his courses.

Galen Knight - Assistant Organizer - Camping and Adventure Social Meetup group

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The Kayak Roll, Pool Lesson

Kelly is a terrific instructor! He's extremely patient, manages to maintain a sense of humor, is very safety-conscious (a good thing on the river!), and has some unique tricks to help his students, be it learning to roll or learning to read a river. He explains things clearly and simply. He also seems to have the ability to get inside the heads of his students to help them get to where they need to be.

Deborah DeMack - Attorney

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.

Glenn Wellman - High School History teacher, APS

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Kayaking with Santa Fe Singles

On June 3rd, Kelly Gossett of New Mexico Kayak Instruction (founder of the Santa Fe Kayak meetup) will teach a 3hr Intro to Kayak lesson for Santa Fe Singles at the Chavez Center's indoor pool. We'll learn the basic strokes that will allow us to safely paddle lakes and easy rivers later on as a group. Kelly will also show us simple 2-person rescues and other team-building skills that are great with a partner, so bring a date, or find one at the event.

Special thanks to New Mexico Kayak Instruction and Kelly Gossett for a great weekend up in Pilar last month for the beginner lesson on the white water. My family had a fantastic time. Pictured is my 12 year old son who is profound deaf paddling the river. Kelly truly is a master kayak instructor that can teach at all levels of ability and provide hours of fun for the whole family.

Matt Painter - Retired Fireman

I love this meetup group. Kelly has done a great job of building a foundation or respect, camaraderie, and skills so that everyone has fun. Thanks Kelly for all you do!

Liza Kerr

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The Kayak Roll, Pool Lesson

I took a roll class from Kelly. I have had some previous instruction in rolling and in boat handling techniques, but I learned more from Kelly in three hours in the pool than I did in a two day course from another instructor. I am very close to being able to roll after only one class. I'm sure with another class I'll be able to roll quite well. Kelly has a unique capability to explain how to roll, and has the patience to work with people who are having difficulty learning. He is a great teacher!

Doug Chinn

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!

Marty Teugel - Fish & Wildlife Service

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