Home-school
Kayaking Adventure

Learn the basics of recreational kayaking in this 4-week introductory class at Sandia Lakes, followed by an optional field trip on the Rio Grande Bosque during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. 

10 Reasons to enroll your home-schooler in this introductory kayaking course:

1. Kayaking develops courage, confidence and character
2. Kayaking help kids excel in athletics outside of organized team sports
3. Kayaking is more about strategy, finess and technique, rather than brute strength
4. Kayaking helps develop a unique, adventurous identity
5. Kayaking helps kids develop "river sense" or situational awareness.  Lke street smarts - river sense is an intuitive awareness of one's surroundings
6. Kayaking is full of natural consequences, where kids must balance risk vs. reward
7. Kayaking can be done year-around in New Mexico
8. Kayaking can lead to other life-long activities, such as kayak fishing, and accessing unique campsites only accessible by paddlecraft
9. Kayaking is the great equalizer; it helps kids relate to adults through a grown-up activity and helps adults relate to kids through a recreational activity
10. Kids develop kayaking skills very quickly. They're often fearless, and their lower center of gravity makes them super stable. Becoming an expert in organized team sports may take years of coaching and development, whereas becoming a skilled recreational kayaker can happen in a few short lessons.

Sandia Lakes
Wednesdays, Sepember 2, 9, 16 and 23
8 - 11yrs old	3 - 4:30pm	$100	(adults $125)
This course introduces the basic strokes and rescues through fun games like Sponge Bob Tag, Duct Tape Tag and Ultimate Kayak Frisbee.  The emphasis of this course is on safety and fun, which builds courage and confidence. Students will learn how to properly wet-exit from a capsized kayak, how to re-enter a dry boat from deep water in 1-minute or less and how to maneuver through a variety of skills-building drills on flat water.  Adults will learn basic leadership skills, such as deep water rescues and towing skills, as well as how to spot common mistakes that can cause fatigue or trouble in open water.
12 - 16yrs old	3 - 5:30pm	$150	(adults $165)
This course covers the same content as the American Canoe Assocation's Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking and Level 2 Kayak Roll course.  While the emphais of this course is still on safety and fun, we expect students will perform strokes and concepts with greater precision and control than in the younger group. Adults will learn the same skills with special emphasis on risk management and situational awareness for effective group management on open water.
Optional Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tour
Monday, October 5, 2015
12 - 16yr old	6 - 11am	$50	Adults $70 (regularly $85)
The Guided Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tours are our most popular event each year. On most days, we paddle within a few feet of the balloons, often close enough to carry on conversations with the pilots, feel the heat from the burners or high-five the pilots!  This trip typically lasts for 5 hours, and can be mentally and physically demanding, especially for younger kids. The mornings are cool in October but typically warm up as the sun clears the Sandia Mountains. For this reason, the optional Balloon Fiesta Kayak Tour is offered at the discretion of the instructor, based on the student's overall quality of strokes, ability to listen and follow directions, as well as mental and physical stamina.

Additional Information:

• All prices include ~$1200 in equipment sized specifically for your child,
• All instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association,
• Prices include student's entry fee to Sandia Lakes. Visitors fees are not included (Visitors are those who are not kayaking, such as parents, siblings, etc). 
• Lead instructors have passed a background check administered by Albuquerque Public Schools.
• Each class is strictly limited to 12 participants to ensure proper student-to-instructor ratios.
• Parents are invited to participate in each class with their child. Ideally, parents would learn and practice the rescues taught in class, so they are better prepared to assist their children outside of class
• Parents not participating in the Sandia Lakes class may participate in the Rio Grande trip at the regular price.
• Groups of 3 or more from the same household will receive a 10% discount on both homeschool activities
• Upon completion, all students and families will receive an invite to the Greater Albuquerque / Santa Fe Kayak Meetup group for onging family events, outings, games, practice nights, trips and social events.
• Students of New Mexico Kayak Instruction save as much as 30% on kayak rentals