Best kite school in Hood River?

Sharkfood · Since 27 Jun 2011 1 Posts Moscow, Russia New Member

My vote would go to Kite the Gorge.

Although honestly I can not compare with other kite schools in Hood River, I have enough experience to compare the schools around the rest of the world since I started my first class with Kite the Gorge back in 2006. After that I've been at schools in Egypt, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Turkey, Russia (my home country), Zanzibar/Tanzania - and still I can tell the best experience I had with Kite the Gorge. Since 2006 I've returned to Hood River twice and took more lessons every time, and for sure will do that again.

KITETASTROPHE · Since 06 Aug 2010 22 Posts

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

I'm late on this post, I've been a little busy. Pretty interesting opinions. I learned in The Gorge - kinda. Terrible experience. It was a nightmare. I had to go to SPI because I had so many accidents in The Gorge. Example: Had a kite lesson behind me (I was also in a lesson) on the sandbar and the student let go of the bar without being hooked in - kite flew downwind - wrapped my kite, launched me and drug me down the beach. Super Ugly - ripped my shoulder up. My head was a mess after that. Almost gave up. AND - other kiters are F'n assholes to newbs/kooks. Everytime I was trying to learn to go up wind, some hotshot(probably Forrest - HA! just kidding) would come super close to me and throw a trick. OR just cut me off and I had to get out, walk the beach and start all over again. Not a good experience at all. The Gorge is the last place I would take a friend to learn how to kite. You get more bang for your buck by an intensive week somewhere else.

Recommend:
Lake Floras - Andy
SPI - easy breezy and you feel like a hero post session
Hatteras (My favorite)- SAFE, lots of room and quality lessons. REAL & KITTYHAWK Kites.
La Ventanna - Tonia's camp, Mary at Baja Joe's, Kitemasters....

I love The Gorge & Hood River. Great people, lots to do, plenty of shops. I love it more now that I have kited other places & feel more solid in my kite skills. But, it is still a dangerous place. I still get a little freaked out.

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

Wah Wah Wah I learned in the gorge, in 2002, on a 2 line, when i was 90 lbs. Quit your whining and get out there!!

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

It's been on my mind that I didn't mention Nate in Sherman Island. Another excellent instructor & place to learn to kite.

To Inept...Good for you that you learned how you did. I wish I was as talented, but I'm not & not scared to admit. For an older female, The Gorge just didn't work for me. Think about it. Would you take your mother to The Gorge to learn if there were other options? Cause I'm guessing that I'm your mothers age.

The question is what school, what instructor? How can you say? I've learned a bit from everyone. Any instructor that is PASA or IKO has been trained. Sometimes I think the best instructor is someone you click with to learn and you feel safe.

Shutting up now...

GorgeKite.com · Since 17 Mar 2008 226 Posts Hood River Stoked

Gorgekite.com is the best place for lessons. great instructors great gear jetskis great location walking distance from hotels restaurants pubs. We don't just teach lessons we change lives!