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