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Intro to Whitewater

The Whitewater Progression Course is a 34 hour course designed to go from little or no skill level to beginner whitewater paddling in as little as 6 days over a 2-week period. During the rapid progression course your learning environment will start in the pool or fresh water lake. As you progress you will transition to the class I Rio Grande Bosque, then to the class II-III Rio Grande in Taos, finishing up with our Level 3 Whitewater Weekend course.

These river trips will be punctuated by additional skills clinics during this 6 day course. You will be introduced to two separate skills clinics, where we will work on our paddle strokes, boat balance, and learning the kayak roll.

Goals and Objectives:

Teach the progression of skills and techniques required to kayak any Class I, Class II, and Class III river.

A new glimpse into the film, this trailer features Doug Ammons, as well as a magical ride from Fred Norquist. For more see wildwaterfilm.com.

WildWater Yule Creek Teaser from Forge Motion Pictures on Vimeo.

This was a fantastic weekend! We learned so much so quickly but at the same time could take it at our own individual pace. When I got into the kayak on the first morning I was still a little uncertain about trying out whitewater but by the end of the weekend I felt very comfortable. I was definitely glad I went.  Thank you Kelly and Dave!
Whitney Waite
Age: 
41
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Whitewater
Fantastic! The instruction was top notch. The instructors' attention to detail and focus on safety were superb. The classroom environment was interesting, the class time on the water was a blast, and the attendees had a great time together during and after class around the camp fire. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in kayaking in New Mexico.
Justin Tade
Attorney, avid skier, surfer, pilot, adventure junkie
Age: 
45
Location: 
Santa Fe, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Whitewater
This was my second time in this class in a months' time. Although I enjoyed the first class, I felt like all the pieces began to fall in to place the second time around. I felt my skills improved exponentially. The instructors were very skilled and helpful in zeroing in on specific needs of those in the class, and were there to roll you (back up) when necessary. Loved it.
Chip Berglund
Semi-retired
Age: 
51
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Whitewater
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.
Bob Pennington
home-builder
Age: 
55
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Whitewater
The class that I attended was small but the level of experience was quite varied.  Kelly has a great sense where the students skills were at during the weekend.  Kelly had a sense when a student needed to re-group after a bit of trouble and when he could push them with new skills to build their confidence.  Overall the group proceeded very smoothly through the weekend course without interuption.
David Brauer
Age: 
54
Location: 
Amarillo, TX
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Whitewater
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!
Marty Teugel
Fish & Wildlife Service
Age: 
51
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Kayaking
Kayak Roll
Intro to Whitewater
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.
Marty Teugel
Fish & Wildlife Service
Age: 
51
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Whitewater
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!
Chip Berglund
semi-retired
Age: 
51
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Whitewater
Essentials of Recreational Kayaking
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