lessons in S Padre area

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

Hi folks;

My brother who lives in Houston would like to get some beginner lessons to get introduced to the sport. I would like to recommend he get lessons in S Padre or Corpus from a reputable school. Can anybody offer recommendations?

thanks,

jc

Sol-flyer · Wed Jun 09, 10 8:15 am

Air Padre Kiteboarding is the BEST school on the island. I recommend you request Brett Newcomb as your instructor, Brett has a been teaching kiting for a long time and all his students learn super quick. (i've worked with him here in the gorge last year)

http://www.airpadrekiteboarding.com/Kiteboarding-lessons.php

lks · Since 06 Nov 2007 117 Posts Anchorage, Alaska Stoked

After several expensive but unproductive lessons, I was referred on this forum (thank you carolb) to Air Padre, where I got up for the first time thanks to Brett. You can't beat real-time instruction by means of a radio that communicates with speakers in your helmet. (So no more indiscernable shouting over the wind after you've done a face plant and are more concerned with discharging water from your nasal passages than remembering what the hell just happened because no one told you beforehand what you were doing wrong.) Plus, in SPI, there are no oyster beds to cut your feet to ribbons, as I've heard tell there are in Corpus. Plus, Air Padre has "Best" girls who lounge on the bow of the boat, hold your martini while you kite without spilling a drop, and then give your shoulders a rubdown after a hard session.

Sincerely,
Rick James (last name "Bitch")

P.S. Jeff, the owner, is one cool cat.

shred_da_gorge · Wed Jun 09, 10 11:25 am

I third the nomination for Brett and Air Padre. Boats, radio helmets, and experience combined with steady winds and waist-deep water for miles make it a hands-down winner in my book. Well worth the money. I was comfortable in both directions and starting to get transitions by my third and final lesson.

I got gypped out of girls/massages/martinis with my lesson package though (warm Shiner Bock's not the same).

JayDelViento · Since 20 Jun 2010 36 Posts White Salmon

I'll add another recommendation for Air Padre and Brett. The warm shallow water and good winds make for a super learning experience. Brett's a great teacher and all-around good guy. Just got back from a well-spent week there.

I have heard that June-August may not be the best months to go, though.

Now what? We're back in PDX, the gear just came off the UPS truck, and I want to go play with it. Still a little intimidated by gusty winds in the Gorge... what are good places to ride for a couple of semi-beginners? We can water start consistently, ride both ways, self rescue, launch&land safely and do all those things we learned in LESSONS (yep, I've seen the posts by idiots who think you can learn to kiteboard without them). Where would you send someone who's up&riding but not yet confident?

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 283 Posts Obsessed

Jones Beach gets my vote for most user friendly area. The Sand Bar on a weekday isn't too bad...