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Albuquerque
Whitewater Progression Course Session Two
Course Dates:
Glenn Wellman
-
High School History teacher, APS
David Brauer
- September 6 - Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking
- September 7 - Skills Clinic
- September 10 - Level 2 Essentials of River Kayaking
- September 13 - Level 2 Kayak Roll
- September 14 - Skills Clininc
- September 17 - 18 - Level 3 Whitewater Kayaking Made Easy
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.
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.
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.
Intro to Whitewater, 2-day whitewater weekend
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!
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.
Intro to Whitewater, 2-day weekend clinic
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!
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.
The Kayak Roll (Pool)
Kelly is a great instructor. If you live in the Albuquerque area and want to learn kayaking, attend one of Kelly's classes.
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.
Intro to Kayak (Pool)
Very informative class. Just the ticket to lay the foundation for starting out in kayaking.
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.
