Albuquerque

Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tour

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

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.

Glenn Wellman - High School History teacher, APS

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Albuquerque

Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tour

Just wanted to thank you for an awesome class last night. I like your approach to teaching. People are drawn to that.

Leonard Graham

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

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Albuquerque

Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tour

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.

Tom Pherson

I took Kelly's Intro to Kayaking class and an individual Roll class. Kelly was great. He is a very gracious teacher, always trying to individualize his teaching to each student. I learned how to roll and hand-roll in one Roll Class session. He is very personable and he was accommodating to my busy schedule. Additionally, his passion for kayaking really shows. I look forward to kayaking with him in the future.

Chuck Washington - Resident MD, UNM Hospital

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Albuquerque

Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tour

Kelly is a terrific instructor! He's extremely patient, manages to maintain a sense of humor, is very safety-conscious (a good thing on the river!), and has some unique tricks to help his students, be it learning to roll or learning to read a river. He explains things clearly and simply. He also seems to have the ability to get inside the heads of his students to help them get to where they need to be.

Deborah DeMack - Attorney

Wow, Kelly sure can cram a lot of information into two hours. He answered every question I had and more. Thanks for a very informative two hours!

Nancy Bowers

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Albuquerque

Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tour

It is amazing to do something so challenging. I feel like I have accomplished something that I never thought possible.

Dena Hunt

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.

Glenn Wellman - High School History teacher, APS

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Albuquerque

Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tour

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

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!)

Betsy Glenn

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Albuquerque

Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tour

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.

Betsy Glenn

Kayaking is a really great experience. It not only introduces the girls to a new skill but shows them they can accomplish something they probably thought they would never be capable of.

Kristen Thome - Troop #1623, Juniors, Albuquerque, NM

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Albuquerque

(Level 2) The Kayak Roll

The roll class with Glenn and Michael was awesome. The roll has been frustrating to me. Thanks to the instruction the other night I think I have my roll about 95 percent mastered and I know exactly what I need to work on to get the other 5 percent. I've taken other roll classes but this one was the best. After these classes I feel very clear about what I need to work on. I can't wait to get back on the water ASAP to work on my roll and forward stroke.

Reed Mencke - Retired

Kelly is a great instructor. If you live in the Albuquerque area and want to learn kayaking, attend one of Kelly's classes.

Mark Nissan

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Albuquerque

(Level 2) The Kayak Roll

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.

Susan Brockway - Los Alamos National Laboratory