Best beginner lessons in the gorge

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 522 Posts Addicted

So, want to get my wife kiting, figured the gorge in July would be a great place to go.
Any recommendations on who to take a 2-3 day beginner package with?
I loved learning to kite at Real in OBX.
Thanks

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Lots of good schools. I usually recommend Cascade Kiteboarding, they have jet ski support, and the high tech helmet with the radio phones so they can talk to you. And because Greg saved my bacon once.

Cheers, Dangler

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

The Gorge in July is super crowded so make sure to pick a school with a jet ski to get you upwind and away from the sandbar madness. Hatteras and SPI are much better spots to learn (in Spring and Fall) with steadier winds and warm shallow water, but likely to be hot and windless in July.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

If not cascade due to having to stay local go
To floras lake. U will learn and progress much faster
Better wind and less crowds. Andy and will kick a.....

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

http://www.air-pirates.com/about_us.html

soona · Since 27 Sep 2009 72 Posts

Carlos at Kite the Gorge.

Jim Bison at New Wind is great, he is very analytical and has broken it down in his head in a way that he can communicate to students.

That said, these schools in July are as likely (more likely) to have you taking lessons from their staff, which I would guess changes year to year.

Whoever you try, ask if they have jet skis and radio helmets.

If you can get her in June it's less crazy - July on the sandbar can be very intimidating.

Sella · Tue May 08, 12 12:10 pm

I'm in favor of jet-ski support but not having radio helmets should not be a deal breaker in who you choose. If the instructor is really coaching a lot from the helmet I don't think the student is ready for the water.

Plenty of time from now until July to get her started/understanding the basics of truly knowing how to fly the kite so when you get to the Gorge your 2-3 day lessons get her up and kiting so the visit is way more stoked for both of you. It will also pre-gauge her level of interest. Kiting is incredible but one good yarding and confidence can change quickly...but absolutely nothing better than having your better half stoked on kiting so best of luck.

Sella · Tue May 08, 12 12:11 pm

I'm in favor of jet-ski support but not having radio helmets should not be a deal breaker in who you choose. If the instructor is really coaching a lot from the helmet I don't think the student is ready for the water.

Plenty of time from now until July to get her started/understanding the basics of truly knowing how to fly the kite so when you get to the Gorge your 2-3 day lessons get her up and kiting so the visit is way more stoked for both of you. It will also pre-gauge her level of interest. Kiting is incredible but one good yarding and confidence can change quickly...but absolutely nothing better than having your better half stoked on kiting so best of luck.

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Look at the wind stats for Hatteras in July, it is one of the windiest months of the year,

In fact locals call this a myth. They claim it was started by cheap windsurfing tourists back in the day who only came in the off seasons to save money on housing.

Houses are 2-3 times more money in summer

As for learning in the crowded/ gusty/wetsuit required/ deep water/ barge filled gorge, well you all can live the fantasy

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Gorge Gradients is definitely the best school in the gorge. The owner Craig is a super nice guy and a long time veteran of the sport, also one of the best shredders out on the water.

IMO the radio helmets are pretty worthless because its pretty hard to hear in them when its howling out, its better to have an experienced instructor who knows how to stay close to you with the jet ski, because then you can actually ask questions to the instructor, instead of just having someone yelling directions in your ear.

Not to mention they will get you out of the sandbar nonsense for all of your water lessons.

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

Yeah Radio helmets are worthless, for the first water lesson you need the instructor next to you. So waverunners are not really needed, but are good for the board lessons after. Pick a morning lesson from any school when there are not to many people on the sandbar. Try to not do afternoon lessons especially on the weekends. Shocked

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

if its for your wife, I think you ought to consider keeping it as low stress as possible. You don't want the environment to be the thing that makes her decide kiting isn't for her. The guys at Floras taught one of my buds, he was up and riding on the second day. The water is only about waist deep all over, flat, no current. They follow you around on the jet ski, so you get a good amount more time on the water and actually working with the kite.

If floras isn't an option see if kochease can get you in. He teaches at Jones Beach, which is probably the most beginner friendly spot around that also has dependable wind.

I think lessons in the gorge are killer, its where i learned. So, dont take this as knocking it, Im just sayin'. If it were me, and i was trying to get my lady into it, Id go more low impact. The sandbar is busy in July, lots of lessons and other kiters. I think it would stress some people out.

As for radio helmets........when i was in La Ventana last year, all of the instructors sat on the beach on their ATV's and did the radio coaching thing. There has to be some value to it. In Maui, the instructors were hanging on to the back of their students harnesses and bobbing in the surf with them.

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Sat on the beach? were they drinking beer ? Radio helmets LMAO you need shallow water and instructor grabbing the back of the harness. Then bodydragging Then a jetski.

Just shows the level of teaching out there is not good.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

soona · Since 27 Sep 2009 72 Posts