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Intro to Whitwater
Whitewater Weekend
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.
It is amazing to do something so challenging. I feel like I have accomplished something that I never thought possible.
Whitewater Weekend
Thanks for the info and the good class. Even though I've owned recreational kayaks for many years, I learned far more than I ever knew before.
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.
Whitewater Weekend
It is amazing to do something so challenging. I feel like I have accomplished something that I never thought possible.
Kelly has a way of transferring his passion for kayaking to everyone who attends a talk, lesson or paddles with him. A very patient and conscientious instructor, I always feel safe during lessons on and off the river. Not only does Kelly teach the sport, he finds ways to help you find your niche and meet others who share the same interest. In addition, the other instructors he brings along are equally as knowledgeable and helpful. If you haven't tried kayaking or want to hone your skills, this is a great place to start.
Whitewater Weekend
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.
I am impressed with organization and professionalism of Kelly's operation. The teaching methods are good and are reassuring to the extent they convey that the ability to kayak is within the reach for just about anybody (including not-so-young people like me!)
Whitewater Weekend
Kelly is a great instructor. He starts with the basics and keeps
building on from there. We started in a pool of calm water on the
river, as we became comfortable with that we moved closer to the moving
water, then into the main current working on peel outs, ferrying and
edging, then down the Rio Grande. The second day starts by talking
about the first day then on to paddle placement and timing in different
aspects of the river. Back on the river we fine tuned our peel outs,
ferrying, edging and worked on paddle placement as we go into and
through the rapids. I could not belive my improvement from day one to
day two!
I highly recommed this class if you want to feel comfortable with
negotiating class II and III rapids. You may not end up an expert but
will have the tools to become one.
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.
Whitewater Weekend
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.
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!
Whitewater Weekend
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.
Special thanks to New Mexico Kayak Instruction
and Kelly Gossett for a great weekend up in Pilar last month for the
beginner lesson on the white water. My family had a fantastic time.
Pictured is my 12 year old son who is profound deaf paddling the river.
Kelly truly is a master kayak instructor that can teach at all levels of
ability and provide hours of fun for the whole family.
Whitewater Weekend
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.
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!
Whitewater Weekend
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!
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.
