Best kite school in Hood River?

YellowKiter · Since 16 Jul 2009 34 Posts Spokane/Coeur d'alene

Hey guys! I was just wondering what would be the best school to recommend a friend to in Hood River?

Sol-flyer · Tue Nov 30, 10 8:51 am

I would recommend Cascade kiteboarding (http://www.cascadekiteboarding.com/)

I've been an instructor in the hood for 2 years and have seen my fair share of incidents on the sandbar. I've also witnessed more schools poping up and more congestion than ever before. To me what makes a school better than another is the ability to adapt to there enviroment and keep it safe.

why cascade kiteboarding?
Thumb's Up

There one of, if not the ONLY school to use short lines.
Thumb's Up

One of the very few schools to have a jet ski on the water at all times
Thumb's Up

More than one training location is a major plus

IMO, There all great schools, But cascade is stepping it up.

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 282 Posts Obsessed

New Wind & Cascade are my two pics. I worked for both and feel comfortable sending people to either one. We used short lines a ton at New wind. But beyond those two schools, your right, never saw anyone else using short lines.

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

We send people to Kite the Gorge and everyone has returned with very good reviews. Also they use the local favorite brand , Slingshot, which is nice. They use a jet-ski too.

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Best kite school in Hood River? Cape Hatteras.

The Gorge is for Windsurfers and testing kites in gusty ass conditions. Learn what paradise is.

Pepi · Tue Nov 30, 10 3:21 pm

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

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

I just wanted to make a statement about short lines and my opinion on them and learning to kite. Ive been around kiteschools in the gorge since i learned on 2 lines back in the day. Personally I think that they are useless, and gimmicky. What are you gaining by having short lines? The kite doesnt actually function how it will when you go to ride the board, so what are you gaining? Better of being on full length lines and a small kite, or just learning on a trainer with full length lines before you go to thrashing an inflatable around on the beach with short lines.

I would check out gorge gradients.

forrest · Wed Dec 01, 10 12:18 pm

The main advantage is reduction of space required to teach the lesson.

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

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 282 Posts Obsessed

Forrest kinda nailed it. There are other times when they are beneficial too. I used them several times for small students or kids especially when it was nukin. When your teaching someone who has a limited schedule and they are there when it's howling, short lines might be your only option. Thats not to say you give someone an intro lesson on short lines and their good to go. I think short lines shouldn't be used all the time but they can be a useful tool. It helps some people understand the wind window better because everything is so much closer. And you can certainly ride on short lines. The kite still goes left and right and the bar sheets in and out. Way easier to teach someone how to self rescue etc...
My 2cents.

Sella · Wed Dec 01, 10 6:07 pm

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

Most kite companies put extensions on line sets, to me its a nightmare, they say easily changed in five minutes, this is a sale gimmic for sure and does not have any real bennifit, a very smart professor said,; you are only moving the weak link;
matt nuzzo said 20m lines are no fun, its incredible the differance between 20m and 23m. Unless you are one of the god session rider ,never use less then 23m, then again i know nothing about the hood; still short lines have thier place,
When teaching you would be a idiot to let a newbie fly a fullsized kite on stock lines, they need to be doubled over to half length, tell they show control, and learn some real kite skill,frist go on a trainer to, if its crowded, or windy, or lazy and dont walk so far to keep luaching it,
Flying big kites on short lines to extend range is a lie, and is no fun. 16m kite 27m lines, or rig another kite, most compannies know your abilty to own a proper quiever is limmited and your experience too, so the sales man shuk and jive comes to play. still dont take my word i still do the same mistakes from 2006? 2007?2008?
the secret agent, slingshot kites have never came with stock extensions,

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

I haven't been to SPI. 'Ive heard its good also, only thing for sure is travel the fuck away from the Gorge to take lessons.

Do a Fall or spring trip to OBX and be warmer, safer, and have more fun away from crowds, 40+ mph gusts and huge barges.

Not to mention shallow water. For miles.

Also do downwinders, surf on no-wind days and relax at a real beach.

Sounds slightly better huh?

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Hey Lurk, tons of people take lessons here in the Gorge and learn quickly and safely. No problem.

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Really, well think how much faster they would learn in shallow water w/o 100 others bearing down on them.

I spose I could learn to drive a car at the INDY500 but why?

Also how is SPI better than Hatteras? Can you back that up?

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Well, we don't bear down on students but it can get crowded. Most kiters here give students an extra wide space.

As for shallow, it is easier no doubt but also it's like training wheels, you gotta lose'em at some point. I have never been to SPI but have done Hatteras a lot. I would not step down in Hatteras or anywhere except in an emergency. Too many oysters and other sharp things to hit.

So if Yellowkiters freind who 1st posted this thread wants to take lessons here, I say do it. If you want to be by yourself and away from the crowds then ask for a jet-ski lesson. Most schools here have that option now.

Kiting in the Gorge is awesome for all levels