teacher

honda1 · Since 11 Sep 2013 183 Posts Stoked

Any opinions on which kite school is best in gorge? I have paid over 1000 bucks to one school and have not even had a chance to try it with the board yet. I feel like I have been successful with everything so far but am thinking of going to a different school. I understand you have to understand theory ect but I dont want to waste my money. I have been riding mx for years and while I have learned things off the bike, the best teacher is seat time. Thoughts?

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

You are in about the same position is was a few years ago. I was about $1000 into lessons and had not really had a chance to try a board. The reason was due to having lessons on a kite that was way to small. There was wind but my instructor would not put up a proper sized kite.

At that time I bought my own gear and tried to go it solo. I had pretty good kite skills after all the lessons so I was comfortable I would be safe on my own. I didn't get far on my own mainly because I really didn't know how to determine when wind would be good for my one kite quiver.

I tried the SPI trip based on all the recommendations I read about how great SPI is to learn. Unfortunately there was no wind for the 5 days I was there.

After the failed SPI trip I again set out solo to try to get up and riding only to be frustrated by lack of wind or lack of having the right sized kite. At that point I said to myself I am going to take one more lesson and if I don't get it then I was going to bag it.

I scheduled a lesson with Air Pirates at Jones. I think I ran into Nate out at Jones Beach and heard really good things about the school. I got a lesson with Michah and after a refresher on how to self rescue I was put on one of their kites as my 10 m was too small for the day. After a few attempts I got up and was riding. Of course I was not getting up wind or doing transitions but I was finally riding and had the break through I needed.

After that I continued on my own and started making progress every session. Anytime I would see Nate or Michah on the river they would provide useful tips and seem to take genuine interest in seeing me progress. Nate on more than one occasion offer me a kite when my 10 was to small. I eventually expanded my quiver increasing my chances of getting on the river.

It may be worth changing schools as for whatever reason the school you are at may not be getting you what you need to succeed. I highly recommend Air Pirates and Nate or Michah based on my experience and watching them give a lot of lessons. They seem to be in the teaching business for the right reasons and do what they can to help you succeed. I have seen Nate at Jones in the water with a student till it was almost dark which seemed to be well over the lessons time limit. I do have to admit I am now friends with both Nate and Michah so am probably a little bias.

As the season is winding down it may be hard to get lessons now, but maybe you can find some one still taking new appointments.

Feel free to PM me I would be happy to talk to you and give you some more advice. I rode and raced MX pretty regular from 2000 to 2006. I rode Mt View and Washougal a ton. Also did PIR, Albany, indoors, been to Glen Hellen and Ocotillo wells, Hollister, Baja and even had a track on my property, I was pretty committed to riding and racing.

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

Floras Lake- Will or Andy. They're probably still teaching for another few weeks if conditions present. Good luck

honda1 · Since 11 Sep 2013 183 Posts Stoked

How do l get a hold of nate or micha?

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

PM Sent. Thanks for the kind words John. I haven't forgot about the Dynabar/surfboard. I still need to order up some demo Dynabars and I just got a brand new 5'10". Shoot me a pm if you want to grab it and try it out.

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

Sella · Sat Sep 21, 13 11:12 am **Re: teacher**

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

another +1 for Nate and Micah! They are true ambassadors for the sport. I took my lessons from Nate and would highly recommend Air Pirates. I am not sure if they are still doing lessons this time of year - but check with em.........

http://www.air-pirate.com/

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

PM sent...

Thanks everyone for the props I don't know what to say about such positive reviews but thanks and glad i could help. Micah and I definitely try and we do this for the love of the sport.

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

Took my lessons at Maui 2 years ago 9 hrs for 700 from aquasports Maui. Nice except for crowds and the instructor just yells at you from the beach. Last year I got gear and went twice to the sandbar on a weekend. Terrible 15-30 wind and way crowded. Then I went to Jones with 17-22 wind, a huge sandy beach, and no crowds. I think I improved 3x as fast on my next 4 Jones days as I could have at the sandbar. This year I have six days at each and 2 at Manzanita. I still like Jones most as I'm totally in control and have the room to boost and try tricks. As soon as you have a few hours staying upwind, head over to the Washington side for stronger wind and some smooth water ponds. Water temps are the same as the sandbar

I've seen Nate teaching at Jones. Nice that he uses headset radios, wished I had that at Maui

Jonpnw · Sun Sep 22, 13 11:45 am ?

$1,0000 in lessons, consisted of what ? How many lessons was this ? 4 lessons on properly flying the kite, body dragging ? what did you accomplish? I think others interested in learning should be warned. Cascade & New Wind typically have you on the board in lesson #2 . Can't speak about others.

dwaynej · Since 09 Sep 2013 207 Posts Stoked **CGKA Member**

I'm a totally new so take it for what its worth but $300-$400 around $50-$60 an hour should get you through kite handling on the beach, body dragging in the water and water starts with a board... If you are able to demonstrate proficiency at each of the tasks. If not, costs will start to climb.

airon^ · Since 07 Aug 2013 290 Posts Durango Obsessed

boardin bob gave me 1 safety lesson, including rigging, kite flying, and self rescue, for 250$. He then also monitored my body dragging from Hood River sandbar. Next session I was on a board, not a problem with a background of wakeing and snowboarding.

Sorry, but this is what I think about you spending 1 G and not water starting, let alone staying upwind...

Rolling Eyes

good luck buddy, I hope you get to feel what boosting feels like...

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

Oh this sounds like so much like what I went through as well . Lessons taken in several locations . Several with not enough wind , learn the basics again , bummer .
Time spent under a kite is the best thing of course . Wind is needed for sure . Also taking lessons over a short period of time is better than waiting weeks between .
I give lessons here in Canada and try to be honest and fair with prices .
I also tell people of places to go to get lessons where there will be wind daily . Go somewhere that has good wind daily and use it every day you can ! Or go the slow route as our location is lots of travel and time waiting in between for wind .
Lesson Factories at some locations are a turnoff for me . Places that have like 10 or more instructors and a schedule , wind or not , are not for me . They just piss me off .
I love to kite and want to see those that also want it to get the right info not bullshit and pay for bullshit lessons that are not helping you to advance .
People are the way they are though and some feel that these are the only places to learn . they don't feel like they can learn if it's not a BIG business with all the fancy new kites laying all over and jet skis etc.. Some like to bragg about how much money they spend on lessons and all the nice gear they bought and have no fkn idea how to use but hold to the story it's the best stuff to have . It doesn't make you kite any better tho !
Keep at it with the info you got here and , practice , practice .... you'll get it .
Good luck
JackZ