kite chicks

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

I spent around 700 dollars of my Christmas bonus one year getting my wife multiple lessons in Baja. She loved it! Got up and riding on the board etc...

We came back to the states and she's never wanted to kite again. I give up.

She does enjoy going to places like Stevenson and Floras Lake though and sitting out of the wind and chilling. So that's a plus.

Andy

JMatic · Since 12 Aug 2008 252 Posts Boise, In Dat Ho Obsessed

Or you could wait till the snow flies and teach her to Snowkite first.

It still took dozens of sessions and a full season of yelling, kicking, and crying (on her part) but the learning curve is much more mellow in snow than water.

She's still learning how to get up on the board in water, but 2 weeks in Cozumel this summer should suffice to dial that in.

Best bet IMO is find a hot chica that's adventurous and teach her to kite--or the Russian bride strategy is a good plan B.

tonia · Since 15 Jun 2005 209 Posts The Gorge Stoked

I didn't want to just throw this out there at the beginning of the thread, but you've all asked for it, so I have to now... Wink

This is the only way to teach HER!

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Sooo freakin funny & true. The Gorge is a fierce place to learn or transition into. Many of my tears and curses have been spilled in the Columbia. Lessons are key - from a professional. Tonia is awesome! Do her camp - a great experience. Self-Rescue practice over and over and over in different conditions. Be there to help out for safety, but DO NOT tell her how its done, unless she asks (even then, refer her to someone else if possible). ALWAYS tell her how proud you are and what a great job she did (No couch time). Gentle places for confidence is key (Padre, Floras & La Ventana). Stay away from your lady until she is self sufficient and can tell you to "f off" or blow you a kiss when she is on the water. Laughing

Welcome Katie!

M.

forrest · Wed Apr 28, 10 9:02 am

Sure there are better places to learn to kite, but there are methods to learning in the Gorge that make it just as good as anywhere else.

Mel, you keep saying you're not gonna get better here, but all you need is a posse to go out with who will keep an eye on you!

tonia · Since 15 Jun 2005 209 Posts The Gorge Stoked

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Thanks for the encouragement Forrest & Tonia....I'll take you both up on keeping an eye out and doing a jet ski assist this season at some point. Sorry, but I have not had very good experiences in The Gorge. Hopefully that will change. My "beginning" experience has been that once up & riding and trying to stay up wind - the "Hot Dogs" hog the area between shallow beginner land and just beyond forcing you out to start all over again. Or they do some kite loop trick very close, which is scary if you are not experienced. I don't know why they do that. If they are so hot, then why don't they tack up wind and stay out of the way of kooks? Maybe they just like showing off & being photographed? I can stay up wind now & get as far away from the sand bar as possible, so it's not an issue for me anymore. Same with the place we are not suppose to talk about. Going to try R out east this summer & other places I've heard about (Sauvies?). Never been to Stevenson to kite, but I believe you T - I guess I just need to buy my own jetski to get to the magical place there.

Anyhoo...I could just relate to the "guys" situation VS. the "newby girls" trying to get out there and threw in my two cents..I love helping other gals & cheering them on. Very satisfying seeing them progress.

Explored some lakes in Utah yesterday. Check out the pic. Pretty awesome, but super punchy wind. Don't be fooled by the picture. The wind was blowing 15-30 and gusted big a few times. Met some really great kite folks. A small & talented crew.

C U Soon! Wahoo!

Mel

fokiten · Since 04 Mar 2005 188 Posts Stoked

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

Would be sweet to score yourself a girl who can already shred but I think winning the lotto would be easier. I should buck up and send my girlfriend to Tonias camp and save me the hassle and wrath of teaching her myself. Then I can kite and not get pissed off at her for never listening to me. She doesn't listen to me in the day to day why would she listen to me in the water eeerrrrr.... Evil or Very Mad

Oh well at least my son listens to me and he's gonna be a shredder!!! Very Happy

11yrs old and kiting, wish I could have done that as a kid.