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Albuquerque
(Level 1) Introduction to Kayaking - Whitewater and Recreational
Kelly is fun and enthousiastic about kayaking. If you're interested in learning to kayak, this is the place to be!
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.
(Level 1) Introduction to Kayaking - Whitewater and Recreational
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!
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.
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
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.
My learning curve has been exponential. I never imagined I would learn this much, so fast!
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
My girls were Brownies. From a leader perspective, I wanted to see something fun, and that would build confidence. This was one of our first real "outings" as a Girl Scout. I was looking for something "different", something with a sense of adventure/out of the ordinary (something they don't do everyday) but controlled and safe. I also wanted something a bit challenging - physically, but also something they hadn't done before, something that would build confidence. This really fit the bill perfectly. They didn't' want to get out of the pool!
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.
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
I chose NMKI because of Kelly's professionalism and strong attention to detail. I find this very important as it relates to safety. I would never trust anyone other than Kelly to provide instruction to myself or for my 12 year old son, Navada. We felt very safe and well guided under the direction of Kelly. I would tell others if they ever hesitated to try kayaking, River Boarding or any kind of paddling to first take a course with Kelly and rest assured they will be in good hands.
My girls were Brownies. From a leader perspective, I wanted to see something fun, and that would build confidence. This was one of our first real "outings" as a Girl Scout. I was looking for something "different", something with a sense of adventure/out of the ordinary (something they don't do everyday) but controlled and safe. I also wanted something a bit challenging - physically, but also something they hadn't done before, something that would build confidence. This really fit the bill perfectly. They didn't' want to get out of the pool!
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
It is amazing to do something so challenging. I feel like I have accomplished something that I never thought possible.
Before i took Kelly's class, I was convinced that a sit-inside kayak was a FLOATING COFFIN (don't mean to be so morbid). But now with what I learned in the Intro to Kayak class I feel CONFIDENT in a sit-inside kayak and my opinion has DRAMATICALY CHANGED. Looking forward to more days on the water. Thanks Kelly.
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
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.
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.
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
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.
The combination of classroom, followed by river work was perfect. The
schedule was flexible to deal with the reality of conducting a class
outdoors. The whole experience has been informative and has helped improve my paddleing significantly.
I am more likely to continue to boat on a regular basis as a result of
my experience in NMKI courses.
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
This was a fantastic weekend! We learned so much so quickly but at the
same time could take it at our own individual pace. When I got into the
kayak on the first morning I was still a little uncertain about trying
out whitewater but by the end of the weekend I felt very comfortable. I
was definitely glad I went. Thank you Kelly and Dave!
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.
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
My girls were Brownies. From a leader perspective, I wanted to see something fun, and that would build confidence. This was one of our first real "outings" as a Girl Scout. I was looking for something "different", something with a sense of adventure/out of the ordinary (something they don't do everyday) but controlled and safe. I also wanted something a bit challenging - physically, but also something they hadn't done before, something that would build confidence. This really fit the bill perfectly. They didn't' want to get out of the pool!
I would wholeheartedly recommend this course. I would also recommend they have several adults in the water, and several "shore-side" as there seemed to be more things to do that I would have expected. Not only for the girls' confidence, but helping turn around the kayaks, getting the girls in and out, etc.
