Yes.  A lot of great material is covered in the classroom, and you'll learn a lot by attending or repeating the classroom lessons (and they're FREE!!).  However, the classroom material is completely independent of the pool lesson.  It doesn't matter which one you attend first.

Unless the clinic is free, a non-refundable deposit will be required to reserve your spot. This non-refundable, non-transferable deposit serves two purposes; (1) Since classes fill up quickly, the deposit reserves your spot. Classes are booked on a first-paid, first reserved basis. (2) The deposit also covers up-front cost such as pool rentals, assistant instructors, etc. Contact us today to reserve your spot!

The curriculum for whitewater kayak instruction is about 30 hours. NMKI teaches this in a series of modular classroom and pool lessons, starting with the Intro to Kayak, The Kayak Roll, and the 2-day Whitewater Weekend clinic. Each class builds on the skills taught in the previous class. The Intro to Kayak (Pool) clinic is a required prerequisite for the Intro to Whitewater clinic.

Not at this time. Many companies charge an "equipment rental" fee in addition to the lesson. At New Mexico Kayak Instruction, we include the equipment with the lesson. We encourage you to learn these techniques in your own boat. However, if your boat doesn't fit properly, is inappropriate for the class (a recreational boat in a whitewater or rolling class, for example), or you're interested in demoing a new boat, we will gladly bring one for you no charge.

Guided tours are great because they introduce the paddler to the many opportunities available to them in a kayak. Some guides do a great job of teaching, especially multi-day tours, where emdurance and efficiency are essential. However, most guided tours teach only what is necessary to be safe that day. For example, they may explain how to do a "wet-exit", but may not teach the steps or go through the motions with you to build your confidence. Rescues may be performed as needed, but generally are not taught.

Children 10 years or older can attend any flatwater lesson with a parent or guardian with legal responsibility.  However, I leave it to the parent or guardian to keep the children focused and engaged throughout the class.  Children under 10 years old can be taught in a private lesson.

 

There are six degrees of difficulty for rating a rapid or a river, known as "classes," defined below. It is important to note that the class of a river may change according to the weather, water temperature, water level and geological disturbances, among other things. Class I - Moving water with few riffles and small waves. Few or no obstructions. Class II - Easy rapids with waves up to three feet and wide clear channels that are obvious.

Good question! Truth is - I'd rather be paddling and teaching than in a store selling. I use a number of Best-of-the-Best kayaks in my instructional program. Not only do you get a great lesson, you also get to Demo the best boats on the market, kick the tires, take it for a spin, see how it fits, see how it performs, and see how good you look in it! ....you simply cannot do that in a storefront or warehouse.

Choosing a kayak is like choosing an automobile. Your choices include pick-up trucks, mini-vans, sports cars, SUVs, etc. Each are designed for a different purpose. No automobile performs well in all situations...neither do kayaks. You should chose a type of boat that you'll paddle 90% of the time. Some options include Whitewater, Recreational or Touring kayaks.

Rental prices assume the kayak will be picked up and dropped off at my location in Albuquerque. Additional arrangements may be made to deliver the kayak(s) to Santa Fe for an additional charge: $40 one-way (pick-up OR drop-off), or $60 round-trip (pick-up AND drop-off in Santa Fe).

Whitewater kayaks involve greater liability, and are therefore more expensive to rent. Additionally, whitewater kayaks are subject to more abuse, misuse, wear and tear, which greatly affects their resell-value.

Yes, there are restrictions. Rented whitewater kayaks can be used only on sections of the rivers below: Rio Grande:

There are six degrees of difficulty for rating a rapid or a river, known as "classes," defined below. It is important to note that the class of a river may change according to the weather, water temperature, water level and geological disturbances, among other things. Class I - Moving water with few riffles and small waves. Few or no obstructions. Class II - Easy rapids with waves up to three feet and wide clear channels that are obvious.

Good question! Truth is - I'd rather be paddling and teaching than in a store selling. I use a number of Best-of-the-Best kayaks in my instructional program. Not only do you get a great lesson, you also get to Demo the best boats on the market, kick the tires, take it for a spin, see how it fits, see how it performs, and see how good you look in it! ....you simply cannot do that in a storefront or warehouse.

Choosing a kayak is like choosing an automobile. Your choices include pick-up trucks, mini-vans, sports cars, SUVs, etc. Each are designed for a different purpose. No automobile performs well in all situations...neither do kayaks. You should chose a type of boat that you'll paddle 90% of the time. Some options include Whitewater, Recreational or Touring kayaks.

Using a recreational kayak on whitewater is strongly discouraged. Any boat with a keel should be avoided in whitewater. While recreational kayaks are wider and more stable, they are less maneuverable. Maneuverability is key on whitewater. Additionaly, recreational kayaks are made from less durable plastic and lack the hull stiffness to withstand a pin or warp. The wider cockpit makes it easy to get in and out of the kayak...but offers less body contact with knees, hips and feet, resulting in less control over the boat.