Kessmann's Beginners Play Clinic

[CLAMS!]

Dave Kessmann did a great job with Sunday's play clinic on the James River/Balcony Falls. The class was well structured, the description of the components of each move were well thought out and explanations were clear and concise. There was a wide range of skill levels enrolled in the class but watching it appeared to me that everyone got some very useful information and practice out of the session. Even me, awesome safety boater extraodinaire. I've never actually taken the time to break down any of the play moves into individual pieces or analyze my movements. Now that Dave has done it for me I can continue to be power slacker and only think lofty thoughts.

I recommend his class for anyone wanting to improve their boat control or wanting to spice up a local run with a little river play.

[DJeffSmith]

Dave's clinic was great and helped me a load to feel relaxed and comfortable in my boat while "attempting" to play. I went into the class as a beginner kayaker that pretty much took the easiest route down a river and watched other kayakers playing from the eddy. I now feel comfortable enough to continue to work on my playing skills. The instruction was detailed and appropriate with lots of examples from Guy, Tom & Dave.

The only bad part of the class is that I now have this urge to spend $1000 on a play boat:)

Thanks everyone for the great class and saving my butt all those times.

Jeff

[Melanie]

The play clinic was great. Dave K did an outstanding job of teaching it. The instruction was clear and well thought out, and the schedule of the day and the topics covered couldn't have been better. And Tommy, Guy, and Jill did a great job of safety boating. I was impressed by how quickly and how well people were doing the different moves (and how long Emily hung out in that shallow area below white rocks). And I have to admit that I was jealous of Wallace's splats. I was also amazed at how many things we could do even though Balcnoy was reduced to a bit more than a trickle

To top it all off, we saw a bald eagle towards the end of the trip.

Thanks again Dave, Tommy, Guy, and Jill! I can't wait to get back out in the river to try some of the things I learned.

[topheavy]

So I got here late and everybody's already said everything about how great it was and they're right. Now we are all awesome it's true!