Total Beginner needs advice

Sauve · Since 19 Mar 2009 97 Posts Hood River

Yeah to say kiting is a "little different" is an understatement. Good call on lessons. Another tip is to fly the hell out of that trainer kite. Its easy to get comfortable on it, but students that put in many hours on the trainer kite and got really good at flying it, shocked me with there piloting skills and got WAY MORE out of their lessons.

Also in Marks defense, students expect and want to be riding around on a board during lessons. The best use of lessons are striving to reach a point of SELF-RELIANCE (launching/ landing, upwind bodydragging, relaunching, self-rescue). Riding the board is the easy part and you can progress a whole lot on your own riding a board if you have reached a level of self-reliance. Lots of students are stoked(which is good!) after a lesson because they rode around, and then proceed to think they are done learning all the basics and go out and lose a board or have a kitemare, etc. (while often risking safety of others and themselves) and get setback from learning.

Props on asking for advice. Have fun and be safe!

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

It's kinda like buying crampons, ice axe, tent, harness, sleeping bag, and try to solo Mt. Hood without knowing how they work or if they are the right size or style for the conditions. It's possible but learning is the key to make it safer and more enjoyable. I however did buy gear before I took lessons. It was new and discounted. I lucked out and did have kites that were right for my style, but as the others said take the lessons first. If I had I would have went a different direction when buying kites.

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

Carlos at Kite the Gorge is good.
Gear is easy to come by, you'll want the newest you can afford, best to wait til you get your water wings.
Video zero to hero or progression will help you memorize some basics.
Fly that trainer slow. standing on one foot. Stop at all the numbers on the clock. One handed. and with your eyes closed.
Racing the kite thru 12 oclock is not useful, unless you want to fly. Wink

If you don't learn the basics you endanger us all. Shocked

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 391 Posts Portland Obsessed

Mark may not be the best instructor for everyone but I think he understands and can explain the dynamics and physics of kiting better than most. He also teaches at the sandbar where it is often very crowded. Safety has to be his number one concern, because not only is is student at risk but all the other folks hanging out at the sandbar could be injured as well if there were a mishap. Because of this, I think he is necessarily cautious about turning a student loose with a board and kite to "figure it out". He is also a great steward of the sport and really promotes safety.

I think you have to decide what you want. If you want good kite theory, verbal instruction and safety, Mark is the best there is. However, sometimes in the gorge especially you need someone to take you on a jetski to a safe part of the river and turn you loose.

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

You better pay attention to all these comments!!!


Don’t forget this list below

Take lessons!

1) Visit South Padre Island ASAP, for lessons (the best location and supper cheep)

2) Kiting is a DEADLY sport, follow all rules and steps

3) Kiting is a DEALY sport, repeat this in your head

4) Next, memorize, spend way more time practicing / repetitively all common and non-comment task, YOU need to have instant reactions to all kite movements. Your actions need to be instant, muscle memory; YOU don’t have time to think when shit happens. PLEASE, repetitively practice all actions, over and over, and over

5) Buy well known, top brand, newer kites!

6) Buy only a NEW bar (later you can buy used when you know your stuff)

7) Never teach a family member or friend !!

As in another thread, this is a cheap sport so don’t skimp on lessons, doing this correctly. Gear will last you years, so spend the $$$, don’t go cheap.

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

Another item

You wish to see lots of people doing this sport incorrectly, just visit the event site on any weekend in the summer !!!!

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

I took lessons in Maui. $600 for 9 hrs over 3 days at Kanaha from Aquasports. Pretty good wind but lots of traffic. The Sandbar on the weekend is similar but with up and down wind. Jones Beach has the sandbar beat but is only windy when the Coast is N or West and Portland has clear skies and is over 80. It's similar to a 1 mile ocean beach but on the Columbia. Floras lake is supposed to be great to learn on too. I progressed twice as fast at Jones because the wind is even and there's so much room. Definitely wait till after lessons to buy gear and dont buy anything more than 4 years old. I recommend a Mako 140x40 for a first board, it doesn't have a lot of pop but works great for beginners since it's easier to hold an edge