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tnoskilz
Since 06 Aug 2013
12 Posts
Portland
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Tue Aug 06, 13 12:23 pm About to start investing... |
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I've been flying two line kites for over 25 years. I'm down to owning a single 1.3m foil right now that's nearly indestructible and great for teaching friends and kids. The last few years I've gotten to fly a hq hydra 300 a few times and finally last weekend we did some landboarding with it at low tide on the coast. This pretty much has cemented in my mind that I'm going to get into kite surfing.
I surf, wake surf, snowboard, and am a beginner->intermediate windsurfer working on water starts.
I'm a bit of a research-it-to-death personality, so I'm reading forums, articles, and watching videos now.
I'm looking into lessons, but in the mean time I'm looking at either snagging a large trainer like the hydra in the 3.5-4m to combine with landboarding or a small LEI in the 4m-6m range for careful light wind training.
I'll get to play with that hydra again next week while staying at a beach house in Cape Meares, so if any of you are in the area August 10th-18th, it'd be cool to meet up and get some tips and then chill with a couple brews.
If not meeting up at the coast, I live close-in southeast portland and would love to grab a beer and meet some other local kiters. |
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gionk

Since 29 Jul 2013
16 Posts
Portlandia
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Tue Aug 06, 13 12:27 pm |
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I am new as well, but have more limited experience with the snowboarding and wakeboarding. im still fairly green..
I also live close in SE.
I just bought two trainer kites, and I have yet to get out and fly them..
one is the hydra350 and the other is an LEI ocean rodeo rise 2M.
I plan to take lessons by next spring hopefully. I also have been researching and watching a lot of vids.. what a kook I am.. _________________ Jeremy |
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tnoskilz
Since 06 Aug 2013
12 Posts
Portland
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Tue Aug 06, 13 1:15 pm |
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heh, I'm another Jeremy. I'd be glad to help you find time to get those trainers in the air.
It'll probably be after I get back from the week at the coast on the 18th, but I'm usually trying to do something fun after work on Mon/Tues/Thurs. This week is pretty busy, but speaking of that, there is a block party near my house (42nd/Cora) if you are around.
I've also got the perfect beginner windsurf setup to play around on with a stable/massive volume board and a variety of sails. |
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macgruber

Since 06 Dec 2011
490 Posts
SE PDX volcano
Obsessed
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Tue Aug 06, 13 3:17 pm |
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Invest in lessons at Jones beach. Nate from Sky Pirates teaches there with radio helmets. For the next month Jones will be as good as Maui for lessons. Better since there's no crowds. Pskite has directions and its 1.5 hours from Portland. Way better spot and wind than the Hood River Sandbar for beginners. Floras lake on the South Coast is supposed to be great too. Don't worry about flying trainers more than a few hours, 4 line kites on the water are quite different. Mountainboarding with a kite and wakeboarding both help a lot more. I too live in Se Portland. But my names not Jeremy |
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ShiverMeTimbers

Since 26 Feb 2013
381 Posts
Gig Harbor
Obsessed
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Tue Aug 06, 13 4:07 pm |
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don't wait for next season! I've only been kiting for a few months and the toughest part is getting started. Don't allow analysis paralysis, don't make excuses... sign up for lessons and make it happen. You still have plenty of time this summer to learn the ropes and work your way upwind.
You can thank me later. Its been an amazing summer, almost every session is a breakthrough, and guaranteed every session you learn more than you thought you would.
DO IT!!! |
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BeerKite

Since 29 Mar 2011
471 Posts
Obsessed
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Tue Aug 06, 13 6:17 pm |
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MacGruber wrote: | Invest in lessons at Jones beach. Nate from Sky Pirates teaches there with radio helmets. |
Just a bit of a correction: its Air Pirates.
http://www.air-pirate.com/
Pretty good advice here. I would second the lessons. You can fly a trainer until your blue in the face but if you are using bad technique it may not be all that useful. My other bit of advice is to put a hard line that you can hook a harness into on your trainer. You will also need a harness. This will teach you how to fly the kite with your fingers and not your arms. Use caution with this as it adds a bit more of a commitment since your hooked in and can be a bit more hazardous if you are swinging the kite around. Which brings me back to the lessons point. Jones is a great spot and Nate is great. Full disclosure, I also teach with Nate. There are many great instructors in Hood River too. |
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hilton
Since 15 Aug 2008
803 Posts
Opinionated
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Tue Aug 06, 13 7:17 pm |
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ShiverMeTimbers wrote: | don't wait for next season!
DO IT!!! |
Agreed. The water in the Gorge will be much warmer for the next two months than it will be next year until July. The crowds will also start to thin out soon making it much better for learning. |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1342 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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Tue Aug 06, 13 10:49 pm |
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Quote: | Just a bit of a correction: its Air Pirates. |
At least it's not Butt Pirates. I hear they teach at Rooster Rock. |
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sirmichaelo

Since 26 Mar 2010
353 Posts
Maui
Obsessed
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Wed Aug 07, 13 4:05 am |
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I love NWkite but it's much more interesting to hear what you did instead of what you want to do.
It'll be worth the post once you've got some sand in your bed. _________________ --------------------------------
Life is too short for second chances, although we do get many of them. |
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tnoskilz
Since 06 Aug 2013
12 Posts
Portland
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Wed Aug 07, 13 8:57 am |
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I surf whenever I can, so plenty of sand in my bed.
Once the fall swells start showing up, that's where I'll be more often than not.
Seems to me you might be trolling, but in case it's just boredom, here you go:
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ShiverMeTimbers

Since 26 Feb 2013
381 Posts
Gig Harbor
Obsessed
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Wed Aug 07, 13 9:47 am |
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well, you have plenty of time between now and the fall swells. Get on it! |
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