Introduction to Kayaking (level 1) is a 4-hour clinic teaching you the basic skills needed to paddle any type of kayak. This includes sit on tops, recreational, touring, whitewater and inflatable kayaks.
Accident reports studied by the American Canoe Association indicate the vicitms had little or no formal training in kayaking. 70 % of all accidents happen on flat water, with no current. It appears that the simplicity of the design is often misinterpreted as an indication that the boats are simple to operate and inherently safe. Most victims probably would not consider themselves as a "kayaker" and therefore do not seek out kayaking-specific instruction, such as how to do smooth and controlled wet exits, simple rescues that anyone can perform, reading the river or dressing appropriately for kayaking.
We believe Kayaking can be fun and easy if you learn the right techniques. It has little to do with strength or age, and much more to do with finesse, techique, and confidence learned through formal training.
Here's a few things you'll learn:
You'll also learn the most stable ways to enter and exit the kayak from shore, as well as how to quickly exit and re-enter a capsized kayak in deep water. A variety of self-rescues, including the Kayak Roll and assisted rescues are demonstrated throughout the class. You'll learn the basic strokes and body mechanics to paddle efficiently, comfortably and confidently in any direction on lakes and easy flat water rivers.
Learn the safest, most efficient way, while saving time and money in this Intro to Kayak class.
Prerequisites:
None
Succeeding courses:
Essentials of Recreational Kayaking (level 2)
The Kayak Roll (level 2)
2-day Whitewater Weekend (level 3)
2-day Coastal Kayaking on Inland Waters (level 3)
Note: Level 2 is not required for Level 3, but may be beneficial for those wanting to start out at a slower pace, or for those simply interested in recreational kayaking.
Meet the Instructors:
Our instructors are our greatest assets. Each of our instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA). Founded in 1880, and funded largely by the US Coast Guard, the ACA is a nation-wide not for profit organization whose role is to make paddling education and instruction standardized and more accessible to the public. Our instructors are certified to the highest levels, up to and including:
| Level 2 Stand Up Paddling (or SUP'ing) Instructor Level 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor Level 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor-Trainer Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor-Trainer Level 4 Whitewater Paddle Raft Instructor-Trainer Level 5 Advanced Swift Water Rescue Instructor Instructors who work with kids are required to pass the same background and fingerprinting checks as required by Albuquerque Public Schools. Our instructors are also leaders in their communities, and in their professions. |
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Our Guarantee:
You'll learn more in this 4-hour class than most people would learn in several seasons of informal training. We're so confident your skills will increase, that we'll guarantee it! If you don't feel more confident, more in control and more excited about paddling, we'll donate your course fees to your favorite charity, in your name!
Children 10 years or older can attend any flatwater lesson with a parent or guardian with legal responsibility. However, I leave it to the parent or guardian to keep the children focused and engaged throughout the class. Children under 10 years old can be taught in a private lesson.
A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. The deposit is non-refundable, and non-transferrable. We gladly accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover over the phone. Checks can be made payable to:
"NMKI" (New Mexico Kayak Instruction)
5800 Osuna Rd NE #64
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Please let us know when your check is in the mail so we can be looking for it.
Classes are booked on a first-paid, first-reserved basis, so mail your checks early, or call 505-217-2187 to pay by credit card.
The non-refundable deposit goes to reserve your spot and cover certain fixed cost, like pool rental, insurance and assistant instructors. It's a two-way guarantee that you will do your best to attend, and that I will save a spot for you, provide you with a properly fitted kayak, and provide assistant instructors as needed, to keep the Student to Instructor ratio in check.
If you cannot attend, try to find someone who can take your spot, and work the deposit out between the two of you. They should contact me as soon as possible to ensure space is avaialble, and provide me with their height and weight, so I can bring the right sized kayak.
If, and only if, a class is full, can the deposit be refunded, or transferred to a different date.
The Intro to Kayak clinic is the foundation for everything I teach. It's a required prerequisite for the 2-day Whitewater Weekend clinics and the 2-day Touring Kayak Weekend clinics. The Kayak Roll is a good next step after the Intro to Kayak clinic, although not a requirement for the Whitewater or Touring Kayak Weekend clinics.
While learning to roll is a good skill, it's not the best place to start. Rolling is a defensive measure. Good boat control, judgement and an accurate assessment of your skills will keep you from rolling most of the time.
You'll learn boat control in the Intro to Kayak and subsequent clinics. Those who complete the Intro to Kayak class have a much higher success rate in the Kayak Roll clinic. A few hours in the boat learning to do smooth and controlled wet exits from a skirted kayak will be money well spent. If you've spent little or no time in a decked kayak, your mind will simply be too distracted by flipping over and getting out to learn the Kayak Roll.
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