My apologies:Stupid Question: (Please don't flame me.)

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

I don't suppose there are any places on Maui or Oahu that are suitable for learning to kiteboard, are there? I mean like comparable to SPI, with miles of waist deep butter and a jet ski to follow you.

lks

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

not a stupid question.
i've never been to maui, but I would think learning in any warm water situation with a good school would be a great experience. and there are lots of schools in Maui with a quick google search.
i'd base the trip on other factors, like expense, and where you feel like visiting.

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

hatteras has miles

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

I'd take SPI over Kailua anyday!

MEwing5000 · Since 14 Nov 2005 34 Posts Seattle Â

My wife and I took our lessons on Oahu. Kailua (spelling) to be exact. The lesson it self was very thorough better lesson than most in my opinion. It is pretty safe. However from what I've heard about SPI It wouldn't compare it to Kailua. I think SPI would be way better is what I'm saying. Loads of non kiters at Kailua and the beach is not very deep, wind is somewhat on shore, water is deep quick. Not to mention SPI would be much cheaper. Kailua would be a great place to visit once you've got your skills about you.

My vote by a land slide is SPI.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

SPI is probably right near the top.
Hatteras would be good too, but not as good as SPI.
You still have lots of power lines in hatteras.
Plenty of people learn in maui, it can be gusty conditions so if you can kite there, you're good anywhere.

fredf · Since 10 Jan 2009 80 Posts Eugene. Or Â

I spent a month housesitting on Maui in Sept. with the intention of getting a lot of practice time kiting there. The problem was that the conditions at Kite Beach are not that beginner friendly; the water gets deep right off the beach, there was a constant beach break and, worst of all, are the rock ¨jetties¨ that stick out a ways from the beach and make it impossible to drift downwind in water where you can still touch bottom. Of course the 30+ mph winds 2 out of 3 days weren´t in my favor either as I had bought a used 9 M kite and was afraid to go out by myself in such winds.

On the positive side the water is warm, the wind is steady and side shore, the lessons were great and everyone was friendly at the launch site including helping launch and retrieve my kite without even being asked and giving helpful tips.

In short I´d say a place with shallow water would be better at the beginner level and therefore, based on advice from this forum, I´m going to South Padre Island in April.

Nak · Tue Jan 13, 09 8:43 pm

I learned to ride at Kailua on Oahu. No, it's not comparable to SPI, The wind is not super reliable and the water is choppy most of the time. but damn it the place is magical! Of all the places I've ridden, there's just something special about riding there as the sun comes up over the ocean... There's a feel to Hawai'i that you don't understand when you visit. Living in Hawai'i... Very Happy

Kailua can be a great place to learn. Wind direction is primarily Easterlies which result in a side shore wind at the launch.The bay is hook shaped, so no matter how bad you do, you'll end up blowing back to shore. There's no coral to step on, just white sand. Cons are that you'll have a long walk of shame up the beach until you learn to stay upwind. If you're single, It might not be a con. Very Happy

Also, you'' have lots of incentive to get past the body dragging stage. Body dragging isn't great fun when you're driving your face through the chop. Get some goggles for that part. Very Happy

It's easy to get your board back even if you can't body drag upwind. Just drag to the shore. Wait a few minutes and drag back out. The wind will blow the board downwind of you.

Make sure you talk with the locals and learn the rules. Access is a continuing problem at Kailua, and you don't want to be the guy who causes problems. The locals are very friendly and helpful.

Staying in Kailua is the way to go unless you want to hit the nightlife every night. Waikiki is more expensive & a 30 minute drive to Kailua. On the other hand, Waikiki parties every night till 4:00 AM! Very Happy

The partying in Waikiki is legendary; there is no nightlife in Kailua. Either way, you will need a car. If you're in your early 20s, it's tough because there's 10,000 military on the island. If you're older, you'll be in Heaven! Very Happy

Don't bother hitting on the locals, they get hit on by tourists 365 days a year. Single ladies on holiday abound though.

If you stay in Waikiki, head to Kailua either well before or well after rush hour.

This is a very brief introduction obviously, lots more to know! Basically, Kailua can be a great place to learn, but you might get skunked for wind your whole trip.

davidcomp · Since 03 Mar 2008 28 Posts Â

As a current maui kite instructor i have to represent, we have some of the most predictable side shore winds year round and warm water. You cant learn to kite if there is no wind, no matter how good of a teaching location you are at.
If you come out to maui march-nov you are going to get good sideshore wind, if you take a lesson with H.S.T. you get a big beach with tons of space for your land lesson in which you can develop the skills (I.E. Kite flying, Relaunching, Self Rescue) needed for your water lesson. We teach with 10' paddle boards and will be with you all the way thoughout your water lessons helping you in every way possible progress to the next level.

Hawaiian Sailboard Techniques
Kanaha Beach Park, Maui HI

forrest · Wed Jan 14, 09 11:01 am

Plus, SPI isn't nearly as cool as Hawaii!

shred_da_gorge · Wed Jan 14, 09 11:22 am

Kyle has a good point: take into account factors like cost, time of year, etc. I used to windsurf in Maui and had hit-or-miss trips with the wind and waves, but SPI and Hatteras are just as hit-or-miss. My opinion is that those latter two places would be better to learn kiting if that's the sole purpose of your trip, though, and you'd save money. I live in the Gorge but went to SPI to learn, and Brett from Air Padre had me up and riding with transitions in no time. The lessons themselves were as pricey as anywhere else, but I have a hunch it would have taken me longer in Maui to learn, Air Padre's equipment and being able to stand being the primary factors. (Not a shameless plug or anything, but I saw other things that turned me off about their competition).

The best beginner advice I can give is make sure you have trainer flight and video lessons down before you go, and seek out experienced riders for advice and to show you gear setup so you become familiar with technique and terminology.

Bonetti · Since 29 Apr 2007 411 Posts So. Cal./Oregon Obsessed

I'd hit up kailua, ask the locals for Tony (Caveman Tony) I think the Naish shop refers people to him to. Like Nak said nice bay that you'll just end up back on the beach. Then just walk back to where you launched from and start all over again. I've spent a couple of years on Oahu and kailua but far is a good all around spot!