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(Level 3) Whitewater Kayaking Made Easy
I was excited to take the pool class, even though a few friends ridiculed taking a kayak class ("What's so hard about kayaking?!"). The whitewater clinic presented challenges I was not expecting (physically, mentally or emotionally), and it heightened my awareness of the river, the sport, challenges and myself. It has taken me a week to process this experience, and I welcome the time it will take to continue to process both the instruction and personal learned experience. This course was positively intense!
Kelly is a great tactician with a keen ability to break the rivers'
energy into a series of teaching moments that were both appropriate for
our varying skill levels and allowed each of us to build confidence at every stage throughout the weekend. My goal is to be able to manipulate the river, and all of its energy, with the grace and finesse that Kelly has!
Level 3 Whitewater for Advanced Beginners
Expanding on the teaching principals of the Introduction to Whitewater Class, Whitewater 102, is a 2 day immersion class held on the Rio Grande River, "Race Course" section.Whitewater 102 covers the following topics: Paddling Strokes for Success, Reading the River, On Shore Scouting, and Common Sense Rescue for the New Boater.At the conclusion of the class the student will have gained a the confidence and skills required to be an asset to the paddling community.A kayak roll is not necessary for the class but is strongly recommended.Price: $265.00 Before TaxPayment:Payment in full is due within 24 hours of registration. No spot is reserved until full payment is received.
Betsy Glenn
Elaine Sweeney
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'world traveler'
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.
Felt that my attempts at the roll are getting better. Kelly's instruction is valuable and very precise. I think he will help me get the roll done right.
Intro to Whitewater, Weekend Adventure
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.
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.
Intro to Whitewater, 2-day weekend clinic
This was my second time in this class in a months' time. Although I
enjoyed the first class, I felt like all the pieces began to fall in to
place the second time around. I felt my skills improved exponentially.
The instructors were very skilled and helpful in zeroing in on specific
needs of those in the class, and were there to roll you (back up) when
necessary. Loved it.
Kelly is a great instructor. He starts with the basics and keeps
building on from there. We started in a pool of calm water on the
river, as we became comfortable with that we moved closer to the moving
water, then into the main current working on peel outs, ferrying and
edging, then down the Rio Grande. The second day starts by talking
about the first day then on to paddle placement and timing in different
aspects of the river. Back on the river we fine tuned our peel outs,
ferrying, edging and worked on paddle placement as we go into and
through the rapids. I could not belive my improvement from day one to
day two!
I highly recommed this class if you want to feel comfortable with
negotiating class II and III rapids. You may not end up an expert but
will have the tools to become one.
