kite boarding lessons

tony101 · Since 22 May 2010 2 Posts New Member

I want to take some kite boarding lessons next week, I have the whole week off, who has best school in gorge? any I should stay away from? how many hours of intruction does average person need to be able to kiteboard alone safely?all beginner instructions are about 3 hours and several school told me thats enough to kite board independently, I seriously doubt that
your imput will be greatly appreciate it

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Check this thread out, exactly what you are looking for:
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-17856.html

MarkM · Since 16 Jun 2009 11 Posts Whidbey Island

Tony,

The majority of all schools in the area are great. Some just have a few more options than others. I have been very impressed with Cascade Kiteboarding. They have the ability to use helmet radios, and jetski assist. They are also very up to date with the IKO teaching methods. I would suggest 2-3 lessons. This will speed up your learning process and make your progression much more rapid. It will also give an appropriate amount of time for you to understand your safety sysytems and self rescue. The most important thing is relax and have fun.

Welcome to the greatest addiction ever.

Tommy · Mon Jun 28, 10 3:27 pm

I had a very good experience with Cascade, took two lessons with 'em in the past few weeks, and looking to get at least one more. The helmet radios and jet skis make a pretty big difference, particularly if your lessons take place off the sandbar. I won't get into it at length here, as I posted a couple of comments in the thread Spike suggested. You should definitely have a look at that thread, if you haven't already.

Have you flown a trainer kite at all? It's not a necessity, but even a few hours with one can give you enough of an understanding of how a kite behaves in wind to make your transition to flying an inflatable kite on the water a good deal easier, and considering that you could be spending $100 or more per hour for those lessons, it makes a lot of sense to go into it with a little bit of an advantage. If you're not dead set on lessons next week and you're open to playing around with a trainer for a bit first, and you're in the Portland area, feel free to PM me if you want to borrow mine.

Oh, and you're right to doubt that 3 hours of lessons will make you a kiteboarder. Some people might pick it up that quickly, but not most (and certainly not in my case!).

Good luck!

HotRod_18 · Since 28 Nov 2008 31 Posts

Cascade Kiteboarding totally rocks. Stellar lesson with Tonia, she's amazing.

tony101 · Since 22 May 2010 2 Posts New Member

any body use mark worth at gorge kite? he seems to be only shop owner that actually teaches all classes

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Yeah I did back in 2007. Check this thread out, I mention it in there: http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-4752.html