Alternatives to Event Site for Beginners

jmmorford · Since 26 Oct 2009 21 Posts

My kid and I are complete beginners and having a great time learning. We took lessons at the Event Site, but it seems like a really inappropriate location for beginners. It's way crowded with folks like us that don't have good kite control. A long down winder can take you into the stunt park or into the cold Hood River current. Basically, it's a formula for frustration at least and injury at worst.

We've discovered Jones Beach and it is perfect for learning. However, the winds seem to pick up mostly in the late afternoon. This weekend, it was blowing hard in the Gorge, but overcast conditions produced only a light wind at Jones, and then only in the late afternoon. Pretty much the same fomula when we were there last weekend, although it picked up earlier than (and wasn't blowing the Gorge hardly at all).

I want long hours in the harness. Any other suggestions in the Gorge for places friendly for a beginner to launch and ride without pissing off everybody else?

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Are you asking about taking more lessons or going out with your own kite and practice body dragging, eventually short rides?

Don't take shortcuts, don't be in a hurry to get up and ride on the board. An few hours practicing the basics will save your life later. I'm taking the time to write this because I've learned myself in the past year along with my wife and teenage daughters. So far so good thanks to pro instruction.
Kiting is very dangerous and the shit can hit the fan before you even know what happened. Take your time, pay your dues, build good habits thru pro instruction.

Alternative number 1: There's a beach on the west side of Wells Island and a huge shallow area that extends 1/2 mile up from the beach.
You need a jet ski or boat to get to the beach. Or you can kayak or canoe from the west-end of the Hook. It's 300 yards to paddle to the beach.
Once there, you can actually rig your kite and walk 1/2 mile upwind and then body drag/ ride back downwind to the beach.
Alternative number 2: Another good option is the Lyel Sandbar in Washington. You have to access the sandbar by boat or jetski from Rowena as it's illeagal to cross the tracks to access the sandbar.

Alternative number 3: go camp and take lessons at Floras Lake (Oregon Coast, Bandon). Will Brady and Andy are the best instructors and half the gorge rate.

Alternative number 4: take more lessons in HR or Stevenson with approved, insured instructors.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I can definitely see where you're coming from. I just started this season too and I don't want to deal with the zoo of the event site.

I have been going to Sauvie Island because I can make it out there after work but you get skunked a lot there unless you wait until you are SURE the wind is blowing. There was one Saturday I was out for 6+ hours but that was one day this whole season so you can't count on it. The nice thing about SI is that it's relatively quiet, you almost never have so many people around you that it causes an issue and everyone is friendly. If the guys there know your new they will most likely stay out of your way (as opposed to expecting you to yield even though you don't have the skill). Even when it's blowing SI tends to be a light wind area so that makes it a little difficult when your new but on the flip side you don't really have to worry about getting yarded downwind by a strong gust. The river is wide and deep so no sand bar but if you can body drag you are golden. If you aren't good at dragging someone will typically notice and recover your board for you until you get better Smile

The best thing about it like I said is if you live in the portland metro area you can take a quick jaunt out there after work.

I'm thinking about possibly going to Rooster Rock after work if SI isn't blowing but I haven't been there so I have no idea how consistent it is. It's on the other side of town from me but it's closer to the gorge so I'm hoping it might be blowing on the days that SI isn't.

Chooch · Mon Aug 02, 10 12:25 pm

jasonq · Since 12 Jan 2009 247 Posts hood river Stoked

The area to the west of wells island above the cove beach is a great learning spot, but not perfect. the beach is small, but the area of shallow water is huge, so you can rig on the beach, then carry into the water to launch. The trees also go right to the waters edge, so don't get too close to the island. there will likely be no one around to launch or land you. if you and your son go together, but kite 1 at a time, then its no problem. Just make sure you walk upwind into the water a good distance above the beach and launch with the kite way from the island for safety. This is where i went to escape the sand bar and figure it all out. With a kite monkey to launch and land you, highly recommended learning spot. jet ski lesson go up there all the time.

for lyle, i think you can boat across from the boat ramp in lyle, and don't have to come from rowena on the other side of the river. I could be wrong.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Aug 02, 10 12:34 pm

Stevenson

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Nak · Mon Aug 02, 10 1:09 pm

1. Sauvie's Island

2. Woodland. There's a beach on Dike road. Take exit #22, cross under the freeway. First beach you come to. There will be an access road on your right. If there's more than a couple of fisherman it's not so good.

3 Kalama. Take the first Kalama exit going North. Go towards the river and continue North. First beach after the industrial gravel area. If there's more than a couple of fisherman, it's not so good.

4. Rooster Rock. It ALMOST NEVER works on a West wind. But when it does, it's the perfect beginner area. Look for Good west winds at Stevenson AND a minimum of 10 to 15 knots at Troutdale.

5. I'm going to respectfully disagree with Monkeyboy about Stevenson. East point is solid intermediate to advanced launch only, IMHO. However, there's a great spot there accessible by jetski.

If you have a boat there are more options.

Have fun! Very Happy

alankitesurf2 · Since 21 Jun 2006 81 Posts

You might try ST. Cloud on the Washington side (across from Mult. Falls). Water is low now exposing a large beach with a long reach over to the Oregon side. Wind is similiar to Sauvies (12m) with very steady pace. Very close to Vancouver /Camas and NO crowds.

Bettyboarder · Mon Aug 02, 10 1:45 pm

If you dont have a jetski then Jones and Sauvies are really the best bets but like you said the wind isn't always great.

If you dont have a ski might be worth it to talk to some schools and see if you could work some deal just to have some one out there following u around till you feel more confident.

The coast is a great place to the waves can be a bit overwhelming at first but nice long beach to pratice.

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Jones definitely worked for me. I kited there every weekend in July except this last one.

KimSoderholm · Since 12 Aug 2009 102 Posts Stoked

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

It also helps if you pick less crowded times to go out. Try before lunch or after 6:00 in the evening.
This evening, the wind at the sandbar came back up and there were only 5-6 people out at 6:30.
Last weekend was a Canadian holiday and Gorge Cup race so the Event Site was extra crowded. It should get better as we head into fall. The air gets colder, but the water is still warm.

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

Sella · Tue Aug 03, 10 6:55 am

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

This guy has it all to himself.