Rolling a kayak is an essential skill for any serious paddler. It is considered the safest form of a rescue, because it involves only one person, can be done in just a few seconds, and keeps you inside the kayak, protected from rocks, cold water and other hazards.
The complete course consists of a 1-hour "Classroom" and a 3-hour "Pool" lesson and kayak demo.
In this 4hr class, your instructor will lead you through a series of steps to build muscle memory, while using the proper technique to safely and effortlessly roll the kayak upright.
Here's a few things you'll learn:
Although not required for the Intro to Whitewater Clinic, students who complete this class will have a more rewarding experience when pursuing more challenging water. Anyone considering class III whitewater, expedition-style sea kayaking, or leading a group of paddlers, should master this essential skill.
The class will be taught using whitewater kayaks only, although an exception will be made if you own your own sea kayak.
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Kayaking (level 1) or "Level 1 (or 2) Assessment" from another ACA certified instructor is HIGHLY recommended!
Succeeding courses:
Whitewater Kayaking Made Easy 2-day Weekend (level 3)
Coastal Kayaking on Inland Waters (level 3)
Swiftwater Rescue (level 4)
Intro to Freestyle & Playboating Kayaking (level 4)
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!
I took a roll class from Kelly. I have had some previous instruction in rolling and in boat handling techniques, but I learned more from Kelly in three hours in the pool than I did in a two day course from another instructor. I am very close to being able to roll after only one class. I'm sure with another class I'll be able to roll quite well. Kelly has a unique capability to explain how to roll, and has the patience to work with people who are having difficulty learning. He is a great teacher!
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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