Lesson advice

mchacon · Since 24 Aug 2011 3 Posts Kook

Looking for some advice, Im a windsurfer, but my brother got ahold of a trainer kite and after many hours flying it around wants to kite on the water.... he is coming to visit soon and really wants to try . Ive looked into it and the lessons usually start with the ground school and you dont seem to be able to even get on the water without many hours and hundreds of dollars spent. Is it even possible for him to get kiteboarding in a couple days without spending more than $200 or so? Its not worth it for him to go through the whole #$1000 progression for a short trip, especially since he lives in a place without any convenient places to do it when he gets home (tucson, az) . if there is anyone willing to let him borrow some beat up gear/show him the ropes in exchange for money/beers that would be good too. He doesnt need to be blasting across the channel, I just want him to be able to get a feel for it and maybe get up on a big board for a bit near the sandbar. Is it possible?

craz z · Since 01 Dec 2008 130 Posts Montana Stoked

I'm gonna go out on a limb cause I don't live in hood river but frequent when i can during the summer.

The answer to your question is unfortunately going to be no. Without proper instruction the gorge is not a place to TRY out kiteboarding especially at the busy sandbar.

The wind cranks as you know and a kite is not as forgiving as a sailboard as far as trying it out. People have been hurt that know how to kite and a beginer trying a full on traction kite would problably not be a good idea.

I would say if you really wanna go the route of trying it out head to the coast instead.

We've been hearing great things about air pirates and his accomodating and affordable way to learn kiting on a budget.

The air tends to be a bit smoother more relaxed and less congestion for newbs.

The positive is if you or him get into the sport I guarentee he will find something to kite even in tucson AZ.

By the way it is possible to learn on your own to kite but NEVER is it recomended as your progression will stall and it will take much longer to learn with the possibility of having to break bad habits later on to get to the goal you wanna achieve.
Simply learn your own is around 2-4 years to get to intermediate as lessons in a good place like Hood river will be around 3-4 months to get to the same level.

Hope this helps even tho its not what you wanted to hear.

corey4x4man · Since 13 Jun 2011 134 Posts Beaverton, OR Stoked

I really don't think there is any on this site that would recommend a trial by fire like you are asking for.

Nate with air-pirates kiteboarding does an amazing job with lessons out at Jones beach and he has a special for a 5 hour lesson that will go through all the safety stuff and proper kite control. If you go to his website it had more details and I believe it is $295.

I did this same lesson and he had me up and riding by the end of the day and I now have a firm understanding of all the gear and how to use it in a SAFE manner.

mchacon · Since 24 Aug 2011 3 Posts Kook

I will definitely look into air pirates, I wouldnt mind doing some sailing on the coast myself Very Happy

Thats more what I had in mind, a single day at an affordable price to get him going and to get a taste of it. I just didnt want him to spend hundreds on lessons and not even have a chance to get a ride after a couple days

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

If you are going to check with Nate for lessons - don't wait till last minute. He has been very popular lately, and he may be all booked up if you wait until the last minute. Plan ahead and get a great service from Nate and his crew!

mchacon · Since 24 Aug 2011 3 Posts Kook

ok, as soon as he finally picks a time to come ill give them a call. Thanks!

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

If you can get Jim Bison at New Winds, I know that he fast tracks people in a safe manner if their skills are appropriate.

On Monday he gave a friend of mine a four hour lesson that went from the basics to getting hucked up and out over the board in deep friendly safe water/conditions. My friend had only the best things to say about the lesson, and is hooked... line and sinker.

Nice work Mr. Bison, got another addicted in sort order to kiteboarding.

Bams

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

Thanks for the props guys. My $295 1 day class doesn't guarantee up and riding. It is to build solid fundamentals efficiently, quickly and safely so you will have a great time and learn quickly in one package price.

Corey you just rocked it and have natural skill Smile

Whether you make it to riding a board soley depends on how well you accomplish each step and the basics. If i put a number on it I would say 10% get up and ride easily, 30% never make it to the board and 60% get a couple tries on a board. It is not a learn everything in one day class, there is just way to many concepts and tecniques for that to happen, but it gives you solid fundamentals that will progress you quickly. Almost all students come back for a 2nd lesson to work on board riding and self launching and landing stuff. If i had a 8 hour do everything one day class you would just forget half of what i taught you, people get overwhelmed with information already at 4 hours.

It all depends on how fast your brother learns but he should probably plan on spending 500 just in case if he really wants to fully learn the sport safely. If he isn't willing to drop a few coin into kiteboarding then this might not be the extreme sport for him.
It can be dangerous just not to yourself but to all the people around you and on the beach.

Also, since he lives in Arizona, he need to look up my buddy Traveller at http://www.desertwindkiteboarding.com for some sik kiting......

I have been overbooked consistantly so call in advance if he wants in...

kiteboardinglife · Since 20 Jul 2009 46 Posts portland or.

If you check around you will find out the pirate
give you the best bang for your buck

don`t forget the rum

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

One more for Air Pirates. My girl took lessons from Micah, through Nate. If the learner really has spent a bunch of time on a trainer then they should be able to skip the trainer practice which will save some time. Either way Air Pirates does a one day lesson and you are pretty much guaranteed to get in the water the first day body dragging. If they do good getting up on a board is not out of the question. After that as long as someone is around to keep an eye on the person in the case of a Kitemare they should be able to go out "on their own" if they have gear.

Air pirates generally does their lessons at Jones which is almost never crowded; good beginner friendly location.

1surfer · Thu Aug 25, 11 8:43 am **SPI**

South Padre island is one of the best places to learn in the world. Try calling SPI kiteboarding. The lagoon is shallow and the best and safest place to practice on your own after some professional instruction.

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

IMO - people should not be fixated to get up on a board in their first lesson or 2.
I understand instructors do it to satisfy their student's enthusiasm to get up and riding.
But once a person gets up on a board they think they're ready to be kiters.... when actually they should continue lessons and learn to:
1. Relaunch kite when it falls onto water ( a whole lesson in itself)
2. Body drag upwind (another lesson)
3. Body drag with board when wind dies (another 1/2 lesson)
4. Self Rescue (another lesson).
5. Rigging, launching, landing, self-launch, self-land (another lesson).

I see way too many people hurt themselves on the sandbar because they had one lesson, got up on a board, and think they're kiters.....but have no clue how to rig a kite or handle a kite while launching and landing on the sandbar.
Or no clue what to do when the wind dies and their kite falls out of the sky.

I spent 3 lessons learning the basics before I got up on a board. I've been kiting for 3 years and not one single kitemare or rescue (over 200 days kiting).

I was anxious to 'get up and ride' my first few lesson - but I'm glad my instructors knew better and forced me to learn the basics first.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed