Albuquerque

Kayak 101; Getting Started in Kayaking

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
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!
Tracy Davis  -  experienced kayaker

Kayak 101; Getting Started in Kayaking

I learned everything that i was hoping to learn, as a result my feeling confident and safe on the water has increased tremendously!
Heidrun Craig
It is amazing to do something so challenging. I feel like I have accomplished something that I never thought possible.
Dena Hunt

Kayak 101; Getting Started in Kayaking

This is without a doubt the best outdoor class I have ever taken. Kelly and his team are totally skilled as teachers. I plan to sign up for every class I can with this team. My enjoyment and skill level immediately improved after one day. I didn't realize I was using body memory from paddling a canoe many years ago that were not good practice with a kayak. Take these classes! They're a great return on investment and a whole lot of fun besides!--Kate O'Neill, 54yo teacher
Kate O'Neil  -  Teacher / UNM Taos
Just wanted to thank you for an awesome class last night.  I like your approach to teaching.  People are drawn to that.
Leonard Graham

Adventures in Autism; 4wk Kayak Program

Specifics about this course:

Unlike previous "kayak pool parties" for kids with Autism, this will be a formal, structured clinic.

This clinic is open to anyone with ASD, age 12 and up, and their friends, family members or caregivers

Class will consist of 8 students with ASD, up to 8 non-ASD peer students, friends, family members or caregivers, 2 kayak instructors and ~8 volunteer assistants.

Dates for the clinic are below; each on Saturday afternoon.

  • Week 1:  March 24th, 4:30 - 6pm @ Los Altos Pool
  • Week 2:  April 7th, 4:30 - 6pm @ Los Altos Pool
  • Week 3:  April 21st, 4:30 - 6pm @ Los Altos Pool
  • Week 4:  May 5th, 4:30 - 6pm @ Los Altos Pool

Other important dates:

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.
Lance Johnson  -  Bradley Alpinist, LLC
This class was FANTASTIC because the instructor was very well educated and experienced. Kelly closely observed the girls skill level and encouraged those that needed a little extra to make all of us enjoy this wonderful event. I would like them [troop leaders] to know this activity is an opportunity to allow the girls to have a memory of a lifetime. It was a great event full of challenge, teamwork and FUN!!!!
Margaret Baca  -  Troop #171, Juniors, Santa Fe, NM

Swiftwater Rescue (ACA Level 4)

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.

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.

Reed Mencke  -  Retired

Kayaking for Families & Kids - a FREE clinic at REI Albuquerque

Thank you!  The girls had an absolute wonderful time at the Paddle Safety class. You represented your sport well with the girls and it shows through their enthusiasm.  Good Job!
Melaney Olander  -  Troop 707
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

3 Week Kids Kayak Clinic (age 14 - 17)

New Mexico Kayak Instruction is pleased to offer the first official, 3-week open-to-the-public kids kayak class in Albuquerque for kids 14 - 17 years old. This 3-week series will include 12 hours of pool instruction covering basic strokes and concepts to effortless paddling, fun skills-building games including Ultimate Kayak Frisbee, Indoor Slalom and Kayak Polo. The last week will wrap up with an introduction to the kayak roll1.

Upon completion of this course, most kids should be competent kayaking on flat water, such as Cochiti Lake or easy rivers such as the Rio Grande Bosque.

The 3-week series will take place on the following dates2:

I took Kelly's Intro to Kayaking class and an individual Roll class. Kelly was great.  He is a very gracious teacher, always trying to individualize his teaching to each student.  I learned how to roll and hand-roll in one Roll Class session.  He is very personable and he was accommodating to my busy schedule.   Additionally, his passion for kayaking really shows.  I look forward to kayaking with him in the future.
Chuck Washington  -  Resident MD, UNM Hospital
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

Intro to Freestyle & Playboat Kayaking

My learning curve has been exponential. I never imagined I would learn this much, so fast!

Chuck Washington  -  Resident MD, UNMH

The Kayak Roll

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.

Amit Goswami  -  M.D. VA Hospital

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.

Betsy Glenn

Introduction to Kayaking

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
Kate O'Neil  -  Teacher / UNM Taos

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!

Deanna Lundy
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