Anybody out there starting to look into lessons?

Tommy · Tue May 12, 09 4:20 pm **Anybody out there starting to look into lessons?**

Okay, most of you on this forum have been kiting for a while, but I know there are at least a couple other newbs here, so I'll put this out and see what I get... I am in the process of turning myself into a kiteboarder. Period. It's been on the back burner for the past couple years, but barring serious injury or financial catastrophe, I am going to make it happen this summer. Got about ten hours on the trainer so far, starting to get the hang of flying the thing w/o looking at it, one-handed, while running around like a lunatic (or should I say kook), etcetera. I'm looking to get at least a good ten or fifteen more hours on it, trying to get the fundamentals as dialed-in as I can, but lessons are starting to loom on the horizon. I've looked into a number of schools in the Gorge (gotten some good advice about free-lance instructors from a couple of you as well - many thanks!), most of them look like good options, and of course most offer a discount for teaching in pairs over one-on-one instruction. So I'm wondering if there's anybody out there in the same position who might be interested in pairing up to save a few bucks on beginner lessons, or if any of you know somebody who might be. At this point, I'm thinking sometime in mid to late June, or perhaps July. Feel free to PM me.

Oh, and to those of you who commented on my post a while back about the 8.5M two-line Wipi, you'll be glad to know that it remains safely stashed away in the basement. I'm pretty sure the thing is jonesing to dislocate my shoulders, or take off a hand, or what have you, but I'm not going to let it do so just yet... Also, if anybody is up for some skate kiting, I've got a longboard, and I've rigged the B3 with a depower/relaunch line. I'm thinking I might be ready for some parking lot fun, if anyone else is so inclined... Cheers!

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

What's ur skill level with the B3? Can you fly figure 8's and loops with ur eyes closed?

Tommy · Tue May 12, 09 5:21 pm

At this point, horizontal figure 8s across the window (about 2:00 to 10:00 and back), as well as vertical figure 8s on either side of the window. I'm not doing this with eyes closed, but rather fixed on the bar, so at most I'm seeing the kite in my peripheral vision or following its shadow on the ground. With my eyes closed, I'm capable of reliably putting the kite at 3:00 or 9:00 and keeping it there for a bit, but not figure 8s just yet. Feels like I'm getting close, though, another session or two, maybe...

Bolt · Since 02 Nov 2008 111 Posts Floras Lake Stoked

tommy, good to see your going about it the right way. trainer kite time is valuable and develops the muscle memory that kiteboarding requires. lots of good drills you can do - putting the board on, harness use, one handed flying, kite loops, ... etc.

I am a bit biased in recommending that you check out www.floraslake.com - jet ski assistance, radio helmets, experienced instructors, sauna, hot shower, air compressor, slingshot gear, consistent wind, clean fresh flat water, mile long down winders, and a camp ground right next to the school.

If you plan a head and specify, we may be able to pair you up with someone.

Tommy · Tue May 12, 09 9:36 pm

Good point about muscle memory. I think the harness is the next step, along with the skateboard. Btw, anybody out there have an old harness/spreader bar you wanna get rid of (probably a L, I've got about a 34-35 inch waist)?

Floras looks like a bit of a haul from P-town for lessons, but it'd be a great spot for a long weekend somewhere down the road (perhaps an intermediate class or camp)...

$ociopath · Since 28 Nov 2007 523 Posts Twilight Zone Addicted

if your gonna have to throw down money on a skate 130$ new for a good one. throw down the extra and get a mountain board. you can then take it to long beach WA and do a down winder on the beach. there is plenty of traffic to get a ride back as it is legal to drive on the beach there. thats what worked for me anyhow. and its a lot less painful hitting sand than concrete. bring a kite thats durable because if you start to roll faster than the wind your lines will slack and your kite will crash Exclamation

P.S W.T.F. is that avatar all about Confused

$ociopath · Since 28 Nov 2007 523 Posts Twilight Zone Addicted

nevermind

Tommy · Tue May 12, 09 11:28 pm **Re: skate board**

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

imho go with one on one instruction, while it does cost a little more you will progress more quickly . There are good places in the gorge for lessons but as was mentioned Floras is ideal for lessons if you can make it down there

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed May 13, 09 8:39 am

One last thing to think about..If your going to take lessons in the gorge, you will likely be at the sand bar. The sand bar in July is probably the most frightening thing in the world for new kiteboarders as there are people EVERYWHERE.

So, either take your lessons in the next couple of weeks or if you must wait until the summer, be sure to hire someone with a jet ski to get you the hell out of the sand bar area.

Tonia has a ski and has a bunch of experience with teaching. ..http://www.cascadekiteboarding.com/lessons/

Tommy · Wed May 13, 09 3:33 pm

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

I would agree with PDX on jet ski lessons, while again a little more money I was glad I went that route with my lessons. That way you dont have to deal with the crowds until you are equiped with the skills to do so.

As far as price I dont know what Tonia charges but I believe there are several places that have ski assisted lessons available, shop around. I dont know of any specific shops to avoid but I was very happy with New Wind who have iko certified instructors as well as ski assisted lessons available. I can pm you with a specific instructor name that I highly recomend if you wish.

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed May 13, 09 4:19 pm

LOL, yeah maybe your right maybe it would be better to learn with kites and lines everywhere you want to go and guys giving you looks that range from "yeah I was there once " to " get the fuck out of the way douche bag" meanwhile you can't pay attention to what you trying to do because your seemingly always in the way.

The cost of lessons is just part of the game. Kiteboarding is not exactly a sport for people without a fair amount of discretionary cash. Sure you could probably get by with a grand but realistically, if you want to kite allot, have decent gear and be comfortable and warm, your looking at 3 grand.

Tommy · Wed May 13, 09 4:44 pm

K4L: I've heard good things about Big Winds' Equip to Rip program. Truth be known, it's an embarrassment of riches when it comes to good instructors in the Gorge. I think the hardest thing is not going to be shelling out the cash, but choosing an instructor or school...

PDXMB: You know, the Sand Bar sounds like the PERFECT place to show up some Saturday afternoon this summer, about 2:00 pm or so, and start screwing around with the Wipika and a mountain board (I'm already used to that "Get the fuck out of the way douche bag" look)... Wink

And yeah, I know, it's an expensive sport. That's why I'm doing it now, while I still have a decent job (knock wood, knock wood, knock wood), still single, no kids, no mortgage payment...

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Rob is a great instructor! If it blowing in HR he is there. Ask around at the spit for Rob!!

Tommy · Thu May 14, 09 5:53 am **Re: You need to talk to Rob D.**