Testimonials

I have taken the Intro, Roll, and the Whitewater Weekend courses. They've all been informative, supportive, and fun. It has been a progressive learning process and I do like your emphaisis on offensive paddling rather than defensive paddling.  The Intro to Kayak (Level 1) class is a perfect foundation.  I am probably going to retake the Intro class because there was a lot in there that I just could not absorb at one time; WAY beyond an 'intro' class!
Marty Teugel
Fish & Wildlife Service
Age: 
51
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Kayaking
Kayak Roll
Intro to Whitewater

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
Age: 
72
Location: 
Patagonia, AZ
Context
Event Category: 
Kayak Roll

I want you to know how much I benefitted from your white water and roll classes.  Kelly your presentations Saturday and Sunday were always clear and packed with vital information.  The way you sketch out the hazzards and river features makes them surprisingly easy to remember on the river.  On the river you worked hard with each of us and I thought we class members got far more feedback and individual attention than in other kayak classes I have taken.  Glenn and Michael also seemed genuinely interested in our progress and were always willing to answer my questions and provide good feedback.  All in all the class was both challenging and a lot of fun and I feel it greatly accelerated my development as a white water kayaker.

Reed Mencke
Retired
Age: 
72
Location: 
Patagonia, AZ
Context
Event Category: 
Kayak Roll
Intro to Whitewater
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
Age: 
35
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Kayaking
Kayak Roll
Intro to Whitewater

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
Age: 
57
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Kayaking
Kayak Roll
Intro to Whitewater

My learning curve has been exponential. I never imagined I would learn this much, so fast!

Chuck Washington
Resident MD, UNMH
Age: 
33
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Kayak Roll
Intro to Whitewater
Advanced Whitewater

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!

Doug Chinn
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Kayak Roll

I love this meetup group.  Kelly has done a great job of building a foundation or respect, camaraderie, and skills so that everyone has fun.  Thanks Kelly for all you do!

Liza Kerr
Age: 
52
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Kayaking
Kayak Roll
Intro to Whitewater
This clinic introduced me to the essential strokes, and the situations in which to apply them, including understanding which stroke would be efficient for the objective.  I learned so many things that I never knew about Kayaking.  I also enjoyed the introduction to assisted rescue.  Kelly, the instructor, gave some excellent tips on how to tkae what we learned, into a pool session or other practice, and challenge yourself with each basic skill.
Lance Johnson
Bradley Alpinist, LLC
Age: 
44
Location: 
Albuquerque, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Intro to Kayaking
Kayak Roll
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
Age: 
53
Location: 
Santa Fe, NM
Context
Event Category: 
Kayak Roll
Intro to Whitewater