beginner site @ gorge

snyderjohn99 · Since 12 May 2010 5 Posts Kook

Is there a good place for beginners to practice at the gorge?
thanks
John

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri May 14, 10 12:46 pm

Hood river sand bar. Aka the sand bar, gay bar, the zoo , and clusterfuck central.

Most of the other launches are either pretty damn sketchy or places not really suited to beginers. The SB has lots of shallow water, managable current and easy access. Avoid the sand bar on the weekends if possible

And it's IN the gorge not at it Smile

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

you forgot thunderdome Wink

kiteboardinglife · Since 20 Jul 2009 46 Posts portland or.

TWO GO IN ONLY ONE COMES OUT Wink

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

Floras & South Padre Island. Do us all a favor and forget The Gorge until you can stay up wind and can safely launch & land.

M.

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

The sandbar is not a good place for beginners, its more for experienced riders who want to hit sliders, or go ride swell upwind.

Nak · Sat May 15, 10 8:51 am

Depends on the time of year...

During the occasional Summer easterlies Rooster Rock can be a great beginner spot. Very occasionally, RR will have decent beginner level winds on a West wind. Look for Troutdale to be WNW to SW @12+

Jones Beach can be great too. Get there early in the day. The wind usually starts light and builds throughout the day. Once the wind builds to the top end of your comfort level, call it a day.

Kite Beach at Sauvie's Island is a great beginner spot. Yeah, the wind is light and unreliable, but the lulls just give you a chance to hang at the beach and have a beer! Very Happy

OK, Jones and Sauvie's aren't technically in the Gorge, but they're not that far either.

surfboy1968 · Since 17 Jun 2008 222 Posts south padre island Stoked

forrest · Sat May 15, 10 8:55 am

The Sandbar is not a bad place for beginners, I wouldn't call it "great" but you can have a decent session there if you start at the NW corner. Don't let everyone scare you away, just be careful, think about what you're about to do, and know how to self rescue.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sat May 15, 10 9:04 am

+1 on that. You should have the basics dialed or have jet ski support. Summer time means 75+ kiters on the water at once. Not exactly the relaxing environment for beginers

mbirch · Since 17 Jun 2008 41 Posts underwood

The sandbar is a great place for beginners if you go at the right time. On most days if you get there before 10am you can have the place to yourself. Get there at 2 and see the zoo! Shocked

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

arkay · Since 06 Jun 2008 192 Posts Manzo/Hillsburrito Stoked

Take a lesson in the gorge near the event site. If you learn in the gorge water anywhere else looks flat. PM if you want a school reccomendation, I've been to 4 of them.

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 805 Posts Opinionated

I agree with most of the above.

The HR sand bar is just about the only place in the Gorge with shallow water for learning, but it does get way too crowded. You'll spend more time trying to avoid other people than you will actually learning.

A jet ski assisted lesson is a great way to start. Your instructor can take you upwind of the crowds and you won't have to walk back upwind after every ride.

When you are ready to practice on your own, the mornings will be less crowded at the sand bar, but watch out for the wind, it can pick up fast in the Gorge. The late evening is also less crowded, but usually not until the wind drops off. It's still a good time to practice flying the kite and doing body drags.

Hatteras and S. Padre are much better places to learn. They both have miles of uncrowded warm shallow water with good wind in the Spring and Fall. A week of vacation practicing there will give you way more confidence when dealing with the gusty crowded conditions back in the Gorge.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Chase the wind and hook in whenever you can .
Learning sucks as there is always some hurdle to overcome , no wind , crowds , no time , work , blah , blah
Once you take some lessons and it clicks is when you can have some fun . Unless you live in a place where there is little windy days like me whaaaaa , whaaaaaa .
I miss Oregon , coast , Jones
OK snap out of it , were supposed to get some wind here today later on , time to chase again , gotta go .
Good luck
JackZ

snyderjohn99 · Since 12 May 2010 5 Posts Kook

What's [where's] Thunderdome?

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

Go to Jones Beach. Tons of room and no crowds. Big sandy beach and there is one small shallow spot in the far west end.