Discover Paddling - Kayak & SUP "Open House" at Sandia Lakes

Location:
Sandia Lakes Recreation Area
76 Sandia Lakes Rd
Bernalillo, NM, 87004
See map: Google Maps
Directions:
From Albuquerque or Santa Fe: Take I-25 to Tramway (Hwy 556). Turn West on Tramway, continue to the round-about. Take Hwy 313 North, approximately 1 mile, past Shady Lakes, to Sandia Lakes Recreation Area on the left side of the road. From Rio Rancho, or the West side of Albuquerque: Take Alameda to 2nd Street (Hwy 47), turn North on 2nd Street. Continue on 2nd Street past the merger of 2nd and 4th Street; this becomes Hwy 556. Continue to the round-about. Take Hwy 313 North, approximately 1 mile, past Shady Lakes, to Sandia Lakes Recreation Area, on the left side of the road. From Bernalillo: Take Hwy 313 South approximately 7 miles to Sandia Lakes Recreation Area on the right side of the road.
Start Time: 
Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm

"Discover Paddling" Every Wednesday at Sandia Lakes Recreation Area!  Come join us for a variety of fun skills building games, socialization and practice.  Ideal for NMKI students who want to practice or tune up, meet others or play fun games.

We especially invite families to join us during this time.

  • Beginners Welcome!  This is a great place to start out or try kayaking for the first time!
  • NMKI students welcome! This is a great place to tune up or practice skills you've learned and meet others in the paddling community!
  • SUPs Welcome!  Great place to practice, or exercise!
  • Kids & Families Welcome! Introduce your kids to kayaking in an informal, yet controlled environment. Get them hooked on the outdoors at this amazing recreatin area!
  • Touring kayaks Welcome!  Unlike the pool, Sandia Lakes has plenty of space for touring kayaks. Practice rescues, strokes and maneuvers to fine-tune your boat control skills!

 

There's no official theme for this month; the only requirement is that you come out and kayak with us!

What to expect:

  • 5:20 - 5:30pm; Arrive at Sandia Lakes, meet NMKI representative and pay user fees before entering the park.  After park entry fees have been collected, drive to designated lake (typically #3) and meet NMKI representative to gather assigned gear.  4 total bathrooms are near by for changing (2 mens, 2 womens).  Do not change in the parking lot.
  • 7:30 - 7:45; Out of the water, assist in returnining equipment to storage area
  • 8:00; Gates lock. All paddlers must be out of the locked area by 8pm.

Ground Rules (per Sandia Lakes Recreation Area):

  • Drive counterclockwise around the lake (ie: follow the one-way signs)
  • Park in the designated parking lots; those unloading boats may park nearer to the access point, provided they do not block access to the road or additional parking.
  • Do not block the drive when loading/unloading the boats
  • Enter the lake at the gravel entry only; do not enter from the grassy areas
  • Kayakers are not permitted in the lakes before 5:30pm.  Please wait outside of the gated area until Jane or other NMKI representative collects your entry fee between 5:20 - 5:30.
  • If arriving after 6pm, Sandia Lakes will not open the gates; you will be expected to carry your boat from the store parking lot to the lake for kayaking. Best to arrive well before 6pm.

Price:

$10 per kayaker ($3 per 'Visitor'; those who are neither kayaking or fishing)

Boat & Gear rental options:

Students of New Mexico Kayak Instruction - $5

All others - $5 for the first two trial sessions; $15 after that.

$15 if you request a specific boat for demo

If you requested a boat, you must arrive by 5:30pm to pay the park entry and gear rental fee, and get your gear by 5:45. Otherwise, all unclaimed gear will be locked down for security for the remainder of the night; no exceptions.

Private instruction is available upon request. $85/person for a 2hr lesson, pre-paid. May include up to two people.

We look forward to paddling with you!

Price: 
$10.00 Before Tax
Payment: 
Once this form is submitted and your registration is received, you will receive a PayPal request for the amount of the event, plus sales tax. Payment must be received to confirm your registration and must be received before any deadlines to lock in early-registration discounts, online registration discounts, etc.

I took a roll class from Kelly. I have had some previous instruction in rolling and in boat handling techniques, but I learned more from Kelly in three hours in the pool than I did in a two day course from another instructor. I am very close to being able to roll after only one class. I'm sure with another class I'll be able to roll quite well. Kelly has a unique capability to explain how to roll, and has the patience to work with people who are having difficulty learning. He is a great teacher!

Doug Chinn
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.
Glenn Wellman  -  High School History teacher, APS
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