La Ventana lessons and place to stay?

Anthony · Since 07 Oct 2008 362 Posts Salem Obsessed **CGKA Member**

I have completed the in water lessons and I am at the point of getting on the board. I have done lessons many places, Maui, Oahu, Cozumel and Hood River. It is time to get serious with consistent time and instruction. I want to go the La Ventana, but need a little info. There are many kiteboard schools there, what schools are reliable? What are good places to stay? I would not be camping. I would fly to La Paz, and then rent a car. I would stay there for a week. I do not have equipment, except a harness.
Thanks
Anthony

wylieflyote · Fri Sep 23, 11 7:06 pm

Casa Verde has nice Tee Pee style rooms out in a courtyard for $50 a night shared. It's not camping, and it's very comfortable but cheap. There are plenty of other options also.
As to renting a car? It's not entirely necessary unless you want to run into La Paz a bunch. Everything is within walking range in La Ventana. You can almost always find shared ride from any airport (the cheaper flights are to San Jose del Cabo).
Check your PM in-box. I've sent you the join email for a daily list-serve for windsurfers and kiteboarders in LV. As your trip gets closer you can easily find a ride on this news letter.
Have Fun!
Kip

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

It really sounds like you're ready to get your own gear and start getting out on your own... if you feel comfortable launching your kite (with someone giving you a launch), flying your kite one-handed while walking into the water holding your board, and then upwind body-dragging with your board, really, the rest is just practice. Time to get your first kite with the fall deals that are on... then you can put in time without having to pay for a lesson every time you want to go kiting. There's always room for more fresh meat at the Sandbar! Wink

borntofli · Since 29 Apr 2010 90 Posts

you might want to try las barriles, bout an hour south of la ventana... So much less crowded, cheap places to stay and there are a couple schools, rental places on the beach there....

If your flying into cabo its a shorter drive....

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

When are you going? You may not want to go mid-January as that is kite expo & super crowded. There is a bunk room at Baja Joes that is cheap with shared but clean bathrooms. A communal kitchen to make your own food. You don't need a car. The first time I stayed there, there were few items that I wished I had brought: A good knife for cooking & neosporin. There are "super mini's" that are mini grocery stores. Not a lot of selection, but good enough. Beware of the refried beans. 40% fat. Pablos has a great breakfast. The only thing about Baja Joes if your a beginner is that you will need to walk up wind to the camp ground to launch. It's not far. But staying upwind is a trick when you first start. PRACTICE YOUR SELF RESCUE before you go. WHY? If you do a downwinder (highly recommended) from the arroyos & the wind dies, there is no one on the beach along the way to land your kite. You are on your own until you get to the more populated areas. Doing a down winder when I didn't know jack was the best experience for me when I was learning. Tonia Farman took away my board leash & threw me out in the water & said "C-ya"! At first i was nervous, but it really was great. Still one my top 5 kite experiences....

There are lot of schools... You may just need a baby sitter to keep an eye on you or go with a lesson that has a radio helmet. One of my most favorite instructors is Red Headed Justin. He is very "Zen". Marie teaches out of Baja Joes, New Wind with Jim Byson, Arnoud with Kite Masters & Jessica at Playa Central. (http://www.playacentralkiteboarding.com/)

Bring a wetsuit. jeans & a hoody. It can get chilly.

Have fun!

PS. I don't agree with "fresh meat" on the sand bar & just winging it. Bad advice. Get your skills together instead of being a dangerous kook that could hurt other people or yourself.

moondog · Sun Sep 25, 11 8:04 am

I have been staying at Dean's for 5 years, right on the beach. walk to everything, communal kitchen and killer views. His website is: la-ventana.com

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Nak · Sun Sep 25, 11 9:30 am

Nothing wrong with lessons, but it does look like it's time to have your own equipment? You've got a minimum of four lessons under your belt, maybe more. A week at Las Ventana would be a great way to solidify your skills. Seriously consider acquiring & bringing your own gear. Start out with a lesson, then spend some time on the water. You need hours at this point, assuming your lessons have left you with the ability to safely get in and out of the water with your kite.

It's been said that you don't need a car in Ventana. True, but it is nice to have a car there. If money isn't too big of an issue, and you're comfortable--knowledgeable--driving in Mexico, get the car.

EVERY kiter should have solid self rescue skills before they head out unsupervised ANYWHERE. It always amazes me how many don't. Your life can literally depend on self rescue skills. If you are not 100% comfortable with self rescue, take a whole session and practice. Unhook the lines from the kite. Hook up a 20 foot line to the pump leash attachment point on the kite, use a leash to hook the other end to your harness. (This will keep you from losing the kite.) Head out and practice self rescue. Go away from shore, turn around and come back. RR is a GREAT place to practice this on light wind days. Lots of waist deep water at the east end. Once you're completely at ease dragging both directions as well as changing directions, then hook up a bar and lines and go at it again. Best practiced on light wind days. However, bear in mind that self rescue in high winds is more difficult & dangerous. Get a lesson for that too.

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

De-Krep..no offense to you. I don't know who you are or your skill level. But I'll stick with my original statement & explain "babysitter". Someone who is kiting or on the beach who is watching out for you. Even if they can't help you in the water, it's nice to know that someone is watching you and will land your kite or kite by & tell you what line to pull if your all a mess.

And no, 4 lessons doesn't qualify you to kite the Gorge or the Sandbar safely. Just my opinion. Take it or leave it. I'm not casual about safety. I've seen too much happen...

De-Krep, I'm sure you mean well and I apologize if I was rude and offended you.

Melo (an oxymoron by the way)

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Anthony · Since 07 Oct 2008 362 Posts Salem Obsessed **CGKA Member**

Each of you has a good perspective to offer. I take each suggestion for what it is and put safety as the number one priority.

My experience is 30+ years of windsurfing. Watched most of my coastal windsurfing friends switch to kiting. I have learned greatly from their experience. In fact, listening from their experience has saved me from a kitemare (see #3).

I have took lesson in several places

1. Maui, which I try to forget. The instructor was poor are best gave me a very bad lesson. The conditions were not good, but I know when something is awry. Having been a former windsurfing instructor from the old days mid 80’s, I can size up instructor very quickly. This person was later fired and nobody would hire him(found out this a year later). He is well known in Maui.

2. Cozumel, Raul was an excellent instructor. Awesome beach (sand island) all to myself. Did the land training and in water training. I was able to body drag up wind in the water. If time had not run out on the vacation, one more lesson I would have been on the board.

3. Hood River. First mistake was taking a lesson on Friday afternoon, very congested. My kite was lined by another kite within 15 minutes of the start of the lesson. Not my fault. I know enough from listening to my kiting buddies to release my kite from the harness as soon as the kite lines came together. About an hour later, the spinner had a ring break causing the bar to pull up to the stopper and snap in half. Two bruised hands at that point. Ouch! About an hour later the wind started to die. Ok instructor, too crowded and now a little kite shy from being lined.

4. Oahu, year later two lessons, ok. Sammy sized me up well and had me doing power strokes and body drags. Other instructor (Kevin, I think, was good) Not on board till last half hour.

5. Maui, one lesson, found a great instructor. Same shop, new instructor. I let them know of my past experience and they understood. Equipment failure about two thirds through lesson. The one side of the bar came out of the metal center piece. It was not a break. This instructor has a good understanding of correcting deficiencies. Now, if I only had a few more days on the Maui at that point.

6. Hood River, a few weeks ago. Sand bar was a sand blast. Blowing at 30+ and gusty. I suggested canceling the lesson due to high wind, they suggested no. Using a 5.0. Went through the usual of showing the instructor I could body drag up wind in the water. Almost up on the board.

7. I have also this summer taking wakeboarding lessons to help with kiteboarding. The wakeboarding lessons were great at Fern Ridge.

There you have it my experience. I do fly a B-2 and B-3 when time allows. I hit(windsurf) the central Oregon coast when the opportunity allows.
Thanks

Anthony (200 lbs)

carolb · Mon Sep 26, 11 6:38 am **LaV**

Baja Joes is a good place to stay and Elevations Kiteboarding is based out of there with Marc and Marie who run the school, use a jet ski, and are excellent instructors.

I'd also suggest getting some instructional videos and watching them a bunch. BEST has kiteboarding 101, Marc and Marie have one that is good too. That way your talking the same language and understand what they are saying.

SPI is probably the best place to learn so you might consider going there especially in the spring. Flat water where you can stand up everywhere takes a lot of the obstacles out and lets you progress quickly. SPI kiteboarding and Air Padre both do good lessons.

C

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 521 Posts Addicted

Im heading down Dec 9th, does baja joes have good high speed internet? I need to work from down there and need a good conection for skype.

Thanks

carolb · Mon Sep 26, 11 8:46 am **internet**

Baja Joes

I think theirs is the same as everywhere else. Some of the rooms are closer to the wireless router so I let them know I need it and go for the rooms that are closer to the signal. They have a few routers in different locations on the property. Internet in all of the town has been sketchy in the past but was suppose to get better with a bigger line coming in. I was able to do skype meetings there in the past. When you make the reservation, let Angie know what you need.

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

De-Krep, I'm not going to continue to bicker with you. I did apologize if I offended you. I still stand by what I said. This post is about La Ventana. Ever been?

pappas · Since 10 Jun 2007 58 Posts

So much fun watching all of you "intermediate know it all" kiters handing out learning advice!

If the guy was comfortable with his skills, I am sure he would have already moved onto getting his own gear...

Silly, simply silly... Pappas

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed