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Albuquerque
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
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!
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
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.
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
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.
HIGHLY recommend this course to anyone interested even in local overnight kayaking adventures! Totally loved it!!
"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 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.
"Open House" Kayak & SUP Fun, Games and Practice
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.
Very informative class. Just the ticket to lay the foundation for starting out in kayaking.
(Level 3) Whitewater Kayaking Made Easy
Thanks for the info and the good class. Even though I've owned recreational kayaks for many years, I learned far more than I ever knew before.
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 Kayaking Made Easy
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!
Kelly has a way of transferring his passion for kayaking to everyone who attends a talk, lesson or paddles with him. A very patient and conscientious instructor, I always feel safe during lessons on and off the river. Not only does Kelly teach the sport, he finds ways to help you find your niche and meet others who share the same interest. In addition, the other instructors he brings along are equally as knowledgeable and helpful. If you haven't tried kayaking or want to hone your skills, this is a great place to start.
(Level 3) Whitewater Kayaking Made Easy
It is amazing to do something so challenging. I feel like I have accomplished something that I never thought possible.
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.
(Level 3) Whitewater Kayaking Made Easy
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.
I have to say, Kelly covered EVERYTHING! I've taken this weekend class twice to absorb everything that goes into whitewater kayaking. Since my class, I've paddled on class III whitewater and felt like I had a great sense of what [maneuvers, compound strokes or techniques] to do, when to do it, how to do it, and why to do it! What Kelly teaches would be pretty much impossible for a self-taught paddler to figure out alone. I feel safer, and more confident each time I'm on the river with a foundation of strokes and concepts to practice outside of class, and most importantly, I feel in control on the water.
(Level 3) Whitewater Kayaking Made Easy
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.
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!
