Alternative lessons?

Ashleyinpdx · Since 24 May 2010 1 Posts New Member

Are there any programs for new women kiter's out there?

I'd like to learn to kite, but am wondering if there are more economical options out there. I realize that in some instances, you get what you pay for. However, I don't think I can afford to take enough lessons from the more established schools in Stevenson or Hood River.

are there private instructors out there that are safe and more affordable? Anyone here have recomendations?

What is the most economical route if I don't have close kiting contacts that can get me through the early beginner phase?
thanks

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Fly a trainer kite until you can do it sleeping,
Take A MINIMUM of one legitimate paid lesson to get safety and body drags down

HotRod_18 · Since 28 Nov 2008 31 Posts

Agreed! Fly the hell outta your trainer or even a 4 line small kite (that's what really helped me even more than the trainer). I didn't do enough of that at first.

Seriously save you $$ for a full on good lesson from one of the schools in Stevenson or HR. I already booked mine at Cascade Kiteboarding. Can't wait.

sleestack · Since 07 Dec 2006 184 Posts Land of the Lost Stoked

[quote="K4L"]Fly a trainer kite until you can do it sleeping,
[/quote]

Great advice!

Pepi · Mon May 24, 10 2:46 pm

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon May 24, 10 3:02 pm

I'll give you some of the blunt advice that apparently, I am somewhat known for.?

My thoughts on getting into kiteboarding...

1. Which is cheaper, a trip to the ER or 3 hours of kiteboarding lessons? (FYI, I broke my hand a couple years ago and total cost surgery in the HR hospital on a sunday was $12,000) (it was worth it though cause I got tons of morphine injections Smile

)

2. If you can't afford $300 in lessons, where are you going to get the $2,000 needed to buy decent kite gear?

3. Good kiters do NOT equal good instructors (just ask Drew and Larry, the people I taught)

4. Whoever said the best things in life were free....never went kiteboarding.

5. And lastly...do you really want to be "that girl" the one who completely fucker herself up or worse, fucked somebody else up? The kiteboarding universe is quite small...

So bottom line, beg, borrow, steal, do some live webcam shows for dirty old men, whatever it takes to raise the cash for a decent set of lessons. Tonya at Cascade would be your go to instructor.

The comments in this post do not represent the views or opinions of Cascade Kiteboarding, its employees, or its affiliates Laughing

dustin awesome · Since 23 Jul 2009 115 Posts Stoked

Ashley, A trainer kite is an awesome idea!

When I was learning and before I took lessons I would watch a beginner Video and then fly the hell outta' my trainer kite, and I always kept it with me (like in my car) so I could fly it anywhere there was enough space.
The Video will tell you what you need to do with a trainer kite. It will tell you what a power stroke is, how to launch and land, and what a wind window is, seriously these are things you want to know about. And knowing is half the battle.

But I still took lessons and would advise you to do the same.

Anyway, good luck and practice lots. Laughing

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon May 24, 10 3:08 pm

Ashley, WAIT!!! I almost forgot, there are FREE LESSONS for women in the gorge...

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-14229.html&highlight=free+lessons

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Haha I forgot about that chode. Don't worry when he shows up in a ice cream van with blacked out windows.

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Seriously, dont skimp on lessons. You are better off getting pre 06 gear for free and paying for lessons than getting a new kit and giving it a go on your own ( of course after lessons you will want 07 or newer gear but you can get 07/08 stuff pretty cheap and just as good as the latest and greatest ).

Figure you are halfway athletic, OK after getting the trainer kite down three hours of lessons should get you riding. Lets say that costs $300. If for instance you make $15 an hour at your job that is going to be around 25 hrs of work (after the tax man gets you). It will take you atleast 25 hours of FRUSTRATION to get anywhere close to where those three hours of lessons got you and now you just lost a whole season of kiting.

Of the thousands spent on kiting over the years lessons were the best money I ever spent.

mick · Since 21 Aug 2008 34 Posts

Be yourself ,, If this is what you want go for it girl !!!

Get a small trainer kite,,

Get a helmet !!

Get insurance !!

Find a place with LOTS OF ROOM ! Do not hurt anyone else !!

Do not rush the learning curve ,,
there is much to learn

Get in shape,
People tell me
WOW " kite boarding must really get you in shape "
NO !!!
you have to be in shape to kite board !!

I used a trainer on the beach for about 1 yr before I got in the water.
Had a great time sand surfing in my vans. then slowly moving to a land board.
Body dragging for awhile ,that was fun too, I always gave myself lots of room.

Be Safe
Learn as much as you can with a small trainer kite,
Do not underestimate the power of a small kite !!!
You will need a helmet !!!

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue May 25, 10 9:30 am

Yeah, good point Mick? Jsut get a trainer and fly it a bunch, then grab a full size kite and go at...seeing as how they don't fly similar at all. Rolling Eyes

As long as you ahve a bunch of space...what could possibly go wrong?

Link

sleestack · Since 07 Dec 2006 184 Posts Land of the Lost Stoked

Sweet vid PDXMB!

If you want to train with your trainer kite and prepare for ocean/wave riding. Stand on the oceans edge, fly the trainer and have someone duche you with salt water in the face the entire time. This will help you fly the kite with your eyes closed. Seriously, you should be able to fly your kite and not look at it and know what it is doing. . .only at this point will you maximize the utility out of your kite lesson dollar.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue May 25, 10 11:24 am

listen to this guys knee go boom at :46..

Link

mick · Since 21 Aug 2008 34 Posts

You are right pdxmonkeyboy !!
Nice vids, things can go wrong in a micro second.
Even for those who have been out there for years!

All kites do not fly the same,

I said "BE SAFE" !
I said "learn as much as you can".

SORRY
I did not mean to say fly a small kite as much as you can and you would be ready for a big kite. NOT !!!
if you are not ready for a big kite ,, do not fly a big kite.

there are plenty of kiteboarding gone bad vids out there !!

You can also have a lot of fun with a trainer that will help you understand what your teacher is talking about during lessons.

as you say !!

So bottom line, beg, borrow, steal, do some live webcam shows for dirty old men, whatever it takes to raise the cash for a decent set of lessons. Tonya at Cascade would be your go to instructor.

btw
thanks for the slam !!!!!
Are you going to help
how much do you pay for live webcam shows??

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

Go with the Airush 2m Inflateable 4 line trainer kite or the Ocean rodeo. Way better than learning on a foil kite and will get you used to what the real deal will feel like.

Lessons are good. Losing one kiteboard from lack of learning to body drag would pay for your entire lessons!! Lessons are the cheapest part of your future kiting career but very important.

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

I don't want to sound like a dick but kiting costs dough: to take lessons, buy the right gear, chase the wind and to upkeep your kites. If you're concerned about the price of lessons, this sport is not for you. Buy a basketball.