timing on entering the sport

kered226 · Since 15 Oct 2010 17 Posts

Ive just been introduced to the world of kiteboarding and have been flying around my buds trainer. Im wanting to take a lesson in the gorge but im concerned that the timing is poor. I surf and snowboard, and Im thinking that it will be more beneficial to stick with those two for the upcoming fall and winter season, instead of spending money on lessons and gear during an off season for the sport. I mean are the seasonal conditions and infrastructure of the season going to support my new hobby?

Im just looking for opinions and feedback on how practical it is to get into it now vs, waiting till spring. With the surf just getting great and snowboarding season right around the corner, is it almost taking on too much at once?

Thanks for the consideration!!!!

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

This is my first season so I can't speak to the wind in the fall/winter. But other than that if you have a good thick wetsuit and don't mind being cold I don't see a reason to wait. I plan on boarding this fall/winter when there is wind and I can get out. If you do start now you will have the benefit of wide open beaches. Of course you will also have the detriment of less people around to recover your board and launch/land you. I would definitely not go out solo (even after your lessons) for at least one season. Too much chance of crashing your kite and loosing your board.

How often there is wind and how far I will have to drive to get to it remains to be seen. Like I said though, my first season; take my advice with a grain of salt.

I would just call up Gorge Performance or one of the other schools around and ask them. I know they stop giving lessons at some point for the winter.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Pm me.

Nak · Fri Oct 15, 10 3:25 pm

I kite here year-round. That said, you'll get more bang for your buck starting in May. It's important to get lots of water time after your first few lessons so you can really start to put together a skill set. If you take a few lessons followed by a lot of days on the water, you'll progress a lot quicker. If you take a few lessons now and only get some water time once every month or two, you might not retain what you learn in the lessons.

If money is not too much of an object, get started here now then take a week or two somewhere warm to take lessons and play! Then take another week in a couple of months. Very Happy

K2 · Since 30 Apr 2009 274 Posts Hood River, OR Obsessed

Kiting is sick! You will wish you had started earlier once you finally get up on your board and riding. I know I wish I started when I first thought about starting. You should buy my Slingshot B2 for like $70 and/or fly kites as much as you can for practice. It's cold in the winter, and you will need somebody to go with you that also doesn't mind being cold and helpful but there won't be that much traffic on the beach or on the water, which is a good thing when you are starting out in my opinion.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Sella · Sat Oct 16, 10 5:29 am

In this part of the country kiting is year-round and comes down to your choice of riding on frozen or liquid water. Snowkiting is far easier to learn the basics and then transition that experience to the water IMO.

Take a beginner lesson about safety release / recovery etc and plan a trip to Idaho or Montana. Buy a used 4-line kite and harness because trainer kites are good for about 1 day and are not even close to the same flying characteristics of a 4-line kite, which you will need to know in depth.

Plus, the $$$ you save from buying lift tickets will pay for gas and if you catch a good day it's like free heli-skiing without the noise. Since I started snowkiting I have not been to a ski resort since.

For more snowkite stoke ping buttersmoothcarver on this forum.

Suarte.

tree · Since 29 May 2007 150 Posts Bend, OR Stoked

Regarding money, this is the best time of the year to buy used kites. A lot of people are unloading their stuff to make room for '11 kites, buy ski/snowboard gear, etc. You will need guidance/advice on brand/model/year in order to make a wise purchase, but if you have someone who you trust who has a decent grasp of the gear, you can get yourself some great gear at a low costs. As you develop skill and your own riding style you will want to try a variety of kites to find the one that suits you best, but as a beginner you just need a stable kite with a good safety system (and there are many out there that fit the bill), and a lot of time on the water.

Regarding lessons, as someone else mentioned, I recommend taking lessons during a period when you know you will have ample time to get on the water and develop your skills. When you are getting started you will likely learn literally every time you fly your kite. The more repetition, the more quickly you will learn. If you take lessons now and then end up not really getting after it until spring then you will probably wish you had just waited until spring for the lessons.

Aeolus · Sat Oct 16, 10 7:49 am

I think Nak has the right idea here.

I'm relatively new to the sport and took my lumps not too long ago so I'll offer my 0.02.......I took a few lessons at Floras Lake about this time last year and bought some of my own gear and pushed myself through the winter on the coast. The rivers get cold and Oregon Coast ocean water will seem warm... Shocked

......there will be suffering. You spend lots of time floating around in cold water and not riding on top of it and this will make you cold. Then you start riding and you're still cold cause it's blowing 25 knts and you're wet...in freaking December. Even though you are a surfer with a 5/4,hood, gloves, and pre-sesh hot toddy....you will suffer.

My recommendation would be to hold onto your friends trainer (or get one of your own) and fly that until your bored out of your skull. Fly it every chance you get through the winter. Ya it's not the same as the four line kite, but it all about the wind window. Your lessons in the spring will be way more cost effective if you show up knowing how to loop your trainer with one hand with your eyes shut.

So in a nut shell if you wait till May.......the days will be longer, the wind will be getting more stable, the water will be getting warmer, there will be people around to watch and learn from, and it will be safer in general. Not being cold when learning helps your safety factor. Your mind can focus better and your fingers work. You can muddle through the winter learning skills but since you have other winter sports you like to do.....enjoy those and prepare yourself for a serious serious addiction in the spring. Having consistent good wind, good instruction and a block of time devoted to kiting will help your learning curve immensely.

Work some additional hours....your gonna need some extra dough.... Laughing

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

Get both videos, zero to hero and progression. Watch them a lot.
Fly the trainer like an inflatable, walking running, standing on one foot, on a skateboard, eyes closed, and one handed.
Deals on used gear are always around, be patient.
Be super ready next spring.

kered226 · Since 15 Oct 2010 17 Posts

Excellent feedback guys. Much appreciated. Thanks. Seems like mastering a trainer kite over the winter or perhaps snowkiting is the way to go.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

1999 was the year

- get that trainer dialed by the time the snow comes and plan a trip

kered226 · Since 15 Oct 2010 17 Posts

Let me ask you guys this: If I where to try and get into snowkiting is there a 4 line or 2 line kite that could work as an advanced trainer and perhaps function as a snowkite?

Would it be more beneficial to get into something a little bigger after playing around with my buddies trainer?

The logic being is that I could work the 2m trainer and then maybe get a larger kite for snow kiting and more advanced practice. Is this a normal progession? What kind of systems can be utilized for this?

Just a thought..Thanks again.

shred_da_gorge · Sun Oct 17, 10 10:22 am

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

If you have some extra time and money, you may be able to get some pretty cheap off -season lessons right now by local instructors who live here. SOme will meet you at the North Coast. You could then take what you have learned and buy some tickets to warm windy places: La Ventana etc. Or, fly a trainer every day that you can and book some lessons in Mexico.

If you don't have the ability to chase the wind via plane this winter I would wait until spring. Be advised though, the water in the Columbia is colder in April than it is in November.