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Intro to Whitewater
By far, the most frequently asked question I hear is "Where do you go kayaking in New Mexico?" There's often a bit of disbelief that you can actually kayak in the high desert. The simple truth is - there are literally hundreds of places we can kayak here in New Mexico. The smaller lakes and easier rivers make it perfect for beginners, families, kids, anglers and people with disabilities, while still offering larger lakes for multi-day touring trips, and hundreds of miles of class II - V whitewater.
Safety on the river, unfortunately, is one of the least practiced skills. I know this, because attendance at safety-oriented classes have the lowest turnout. However, the best way to get invited on awesome river trips is to be an asset, not a liability. Anyone can be an asset, even in their first year, by knowing their personal limits, knowing their role in a rescue and taking safety to heart. This course is designed for any boater or outdoor enthousiast who wants to lend a helping hand when a situation arises, and is focused on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents.
Here are a few things you'll learn:
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.
I wanted to say thank you for the entire Pilar trip. It was a small class and you could have rescheduled but you didn't. I really learned a lot! Because of that weekend, I'm excited about the sport. I've been talking to my wife and friends about it nonstop! I'm trying to get others to sign up for your class. You do a really good job! Thanks again!
Swiftwater Rescue (Level 4): Are you an avid rafter or kayaker, who's learned the basics of river running, and wanting to become more of an asset to those you paddle with? Have you ever wondered what your role would be if you came upon the scene of a pinned raft, stranded paddler or someone who's life may be threatened? Do you rely on the experrience of others to decide what to do in an emergency? You need not be an experienced paddler to help in the event of an emergency, but you should know the roles that need to be filled and have a basic understanding of how to lend a hand without becoming another vicitm. |
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.
