Progressing beyond the lessons.

<Wolverine> · Since 07 Jul 2013 71 Posts PDX

Yes, I've searched the forum but couldn't find what I'm looking for so please don't pound me with "it's already been posted".

What's the next step for someone who has already invested in a few good lessons and can fly the kite with good control but needs to add the board part . I realize that the safety of the instructors "tit" as someone called it is no longer present and it's sink or swim. The problem is moving on an progressing to the point of getting further up wind away from the problems associated with the tip of the sandbar. The beginners and lessons are out on that tip where one can get into trouble and there just appears to be a limited area to progress in. Are there times of day that are better? Days of week? Other locations?

Maybe the holiday weekend wasn't the best timing with 30mph winds and using my 6m kite that I never expected to fly but I want to respect the experienced riders and not be a risk to them but also want to move forward without injury to myself or loss or damage of equipment.

Thanks!

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 391 Posts Portland Obsessed

It was only a few months ago when I was where you are at. My best tip is to consider going elsewhere. If you haven't looked into Jones Beach, check it out. Far more beginner friendly than the gorge. When I was first learning I found I would spend the majority of any session at the gorge either dodging other kites or walking up the sandbar and really wasn't on my board long at all. You need some good long tacks without distraction to figure out how to get up wind, transitions etc. That's really hard to do at the sandbar.

The other option if you don't want to go to Jones is to get a jet ski assisted lesson. They are a bit pricey, but the instructor can take you to upwind in a part of the river without distractions and then you can get a lot of solid time working on technique without worries of other kiters and wasted time walking upwind. I believe there are several instructors that will do this, but I went with Gorge Gradients and had a good experience.

Keep at it though. It's like an awakening when you can finally get out and consistently "mow the lawn" without walking upwind etc. Then suddenly there are so many options: carving, riding swell, waves, surfboard, jumps, etc. etc.

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

you got a ways to go experience wise, there are a lot of "things" that can and will happen as you learn to ride (difficult relaunch situations, board recovery, to name a few)

it is nice to have lesson support so you can cover more ground putting distance and time on the board without having to come back to where you start, as well as help sorting out and avoiding difficult or dangerous situations which an instructor can not only see coming and prep you to deal with in the moments before things get gnarly, but also fix (or help you fix) fast so you can resume riding without down time (swimming back in/walking back upwind)

but if i were to do it again up there, on my own, at the SB, here are a few tips:

avoid crowded days if possible.
bodydrag upwind with board, possible into current to help as well
take short runs with controlled stops, dont try to cross the river on the first pass.
avoid getting out of control fast by letting go early and riding out your speed so you can sit and stop without loosing the board.

as you get back downwind and near the SB bodydrag back upwind and go again.
know/scope out your downwind take-out options in case you are ending up there.

it takes most people a while (a dozen sessions or more) to be able to get back to where they start. a viento DW is cool with friends that are solid riders and can deal with things out there, but it is a long and committed run, i wouldnt recommend jumping into that until you are comfortable getting out and back no problem.

know 100% how to disable and land your own kite, as well as be proficient at disabling and resetting, as well as disabling and wrapping lines and swimming gear in before getting in the middle of the river.

once you put some time in and build these skills as well as experience with more of the many random things that can happen in kiting and how to deal with them, the doors open up wide.

weekday mornings are where it is at.

also, i am not there anymore, btw. the best idea would be to consult with the instructors and kite people that know whats up (shop people) that are there

good luck, dont do anything dumb.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

Yesterday I felt like a graduated from beginner to intermediate when I could stay upwind of the sandbar enough to stay out as long as I wanted. It was probably my 10th session and winds were cooperative from 9am to 11:30am (I was flying a 10m). Once noon hit the water was crowded and wind picked up more, I was tired, and left wanting more. I know how to body drag upwind to retrieve my board and land the kite/derig it by myself, but going out today on a 7m for the first time was another lesson in humility.

At this early stage of my kiting, every session teaches & reinforces a lot. I'm going to keep going as much as possible and even if I'm on the water for 30 minutes I've learned something. Like today, I learned that my 7m LF Envy is much more sensitive than the 10m SS Rally.

So what's the secret to handling speed? Dig the rail harder and try to head upwind more? I got pitched pretty good today when the kite powered up just above the water.

Anyway, for the original poster, I feel your pain and I'm interested to read more advice.

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

option1 : go to Floras Lake and take more lessons with Will and Andy. you'll be riding in 1 or 2 days.
option2: take another lesson in Hood River. the kind of lesson where they take you up above Wells Island with a jet ski. you'll be riding in one or 2 days.
option3: teach yourself at the sandbar. you'll be riding in 2 or 3 months..... assuming you get out every weekend and it's windy.

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

mornings are way better
launch and body drag until you want to try the board
avoid high wind
if you are solid on all that and still annoyed w the SB
Launch from the white salmon sand bar and do a down winder from there
this would be better if a friend kept an eye on you.
Jones beach or floras lake are super good spots to leap ahead.
we all did it and you can too
be careful have fun

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

Jones is a pretty good spot to learn the upwind thing. It will allow you to spend as much time as you need walking back up the beach. Floras is also good, just more of a planned-trip type of destination.

davidcomp · Since 03 Mar 2008 28 Posts

Some good replies to this post...I agree options are good!

You present a very typical problem, the new kiter who knows enough to feel confident with handling a 4 line kite in the water but has not got to riding upwind.

If you have the budget each session of a jet ski assisted lesson will equal weeks of experience when compared to walking back upwind or searching for your lost board, lost kite or untangling your lines after a self rescue.

With that said, every time you get out kiting you will gain more experience regardless if its a lesson or not. Just understand that the experience you gain may not be exactly what you were after, and know that in the end it will make you a stronger more confident and experienced kiter.

One of the biggest obstacles that I see new riders struggling with is actually equipment choices. Prior to solos sessions students are not choosing what size gear to take out, the instructor is. I am not talking about brands or models or anything like that. I am talking about the conditions they are going out in and the level that they are at. If you have the perfect amount of power, you will have more success. It is that simple. Any experienced instructor would agree, its all about having the proper equipment for the conditions and the students skill level and body size. As a rider progresses thier Kite handling skills will allow for more range in equipment but beginners really need to have the right size kite. Give yourself a chance and select the right size gear. Problem is that it takes experience to know what size kite you need with the conditions. Gaining an ability to gauge conditions is half the battle.

For example;
Too small of a kite and its unstable, hard to relaunch, hard to ride with, falling out of the sky etc. Too large a kite and your cannot control your speed (out of control), and you can learn bad habits, danger levels increase etc.

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

thats so true about gear selection, a lot of consideration goes into what gear to put a client on and when.

as a persons skills progress it matters less and less, a person can get more range out each piece of gear, but in the beginning having the perfect combos of board and kite is critical to easy riding. that is a big "secret" as to why a person might have a lot of easy success in a lesson session. (have a lot of gear and use the right stuff at the right time)

Certeza · Since 13 Aug 2012 24 Posts Northern Utah

Still a total beginner here too, but I can tell you the most valuable thing I ever did was to head down to Kite Beach D.R. for a little over a week. The first 5 days I did an intensive lesson course with 3 hours of private instruction with an english speaker every morning, and then unlimited beach supervision with a local.

I'm not saying you have to go to Dominican for this, i just did because the wife wanted a vacation and I wanted to learn to kite. Anyway, Kite Beach is crazy crowded but otherwise a decent place to learn. Wind was great for all but one day @ 15-25 knots.

The 15 hours of instruction was great, especially on Kite Beach, cause it really was intimidating looking out at 100 kites on a space only as big as about 3 football fields. Whenever I got into trouble he was there, and whenever I wasn't following the unspoken etiquette, he would give me a lesson on that. This way, rather than just flying around recklessly, making everyone avoid me, I was also getting a lesson on how not to be a jerk in the water.

I felt like I was really making progress and was able to stay upwind on about the 3rd day with the occasional walk-of-shame after a strong wipeout and getting caught in the surf. Then on the 4th day, I was on a 9m Bandit V. Wind was great @ about 20-25 knots. Then quickly it picks up to 35, and I'm suddenly way overpowered. I wipe out, the board flips up and hits the safety release. Kite ends up in the water LE down, directly down wind. Bar is way out of reach, so only option is to climb back up the fifth line. Every time I tried the kite would power up and jerk the line out of my hand. Before the supervisor could get out to me, I had to just release the kite as I was now passed the reef and getting pulled faster than the supervisor could get to me. In the end, the kite was recovered and I walked a mile back up the beach.

The point is that you never know what problems you might be facing, like a safety release malfunction. Experienced riders can deal with this, but as a beginner it's nice to have someone watching over you. You progress much more quickly.

Ike · Since 12 Mar 2008 216 Posts Central Oregon Stoked

More lessons Smile

You can certainly do without as many have but it will be money well spent.
My personal experiances $200 in lessons = 7 kiting days minimum shorter learning curve imho