Anybody out there learn to kite in Maui?

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

I'm wondering if anyone out there has learned and or stated kiting in Maui. What was your experience like?

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2623 Posts The 503 METAL

I didn't but it wouldn't be my first choice. Good instructors seems to be hit and miss. Often shadowy along the beach. Crowded as hell. Shark attacks every other day lately. Shocked

Dan k · Since 31 Mar 2013 87 Posts

Too many rules and mokes with attitude. Check out north shore Oahu.

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

The wave action can be a bit overwhelming. Plenty of room downwind towards the sewer treatment plant. My wife took a few lessons, aqua sports booked online. they were as good as gorge lessons she took. Lost gear tends to wash toward shore.

fredf · Since 10 Jan 2009 80 Posts Eugene. Or

2 more disadvantages @ Kite Beach, where most of the lessons are done:
Deep water right off the beach; nothing waist deep till the reef
Several rock groins that stick out from the beach and act as "strainers" for anything in their reach blowing downwind

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

i've been watching the kite instruction at kite beach for 3 years.
i think it's a very difficult place to learn.
it's an ok place for a motivated person who has self confidence and isn't intimidated by the crowds and beach break.
however - if the person is shy, not comfortable around beach break, and not extremely motivated it's a horrible place to learn.
also, they don't allow jet ski support so that limits the options.
imo - la ventana and floras lake are best places to learn.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

sharks chomping kiters repeatedly. I would suggest learning elsewhere.

Bear · Since 16 Feb 2013 33 Posts Tacoma

I second the Floras Lake suggestion. I've had lessons in Los Barriles, La Ventana, Jetty Island and Floras Lake. In Baja I spent a major portion of my time body dragging upwind looking for my board. By the time I was starting to finally get up on the board I was too tired to continue. Having the instructor on a jet ski to retrieve your board saves a lot of time and money. We all need to learn how to body drag upwind but it wasn't until Floras Lake where I could touch the bottom and had jet ski support that I had success getting up on the board and riding. My Baja instructors were good but too much time and energy was wasted looking for my board.

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

I learned in Maui with Aquasports. $100 cheaper for a 3 day 9 hour lesson. I lucked out and got a good instructor who really gave me 11 hours with 9 actual water hours. I'd windsurfed for 20 years and flown a trainer for 10 hours which got me riding upwind by the end. Warm water, steady 12 meter wind, and new beginner gear helped too. The downside was crowds and the instructors just walked the beach and yelled to you. Around Portland, Jones Beach is the best beginner spot I've seen. Air pirates? teaches there with radio headsets and no crowds. The wind is a lot steadier than the event site and the beach is a mile of sand.

rightguard · Since 22 Oct 2012 29 Posts Maui

Can't say it's the best place but I learned here. I've been kiting here for four years now and love it, although I've never kited anywhere else.

Sharks suck big time lately and it can be very gusty.

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

I have taken two lessons at kite beach, both went down in flames (one bad instructor, the other equipment failure). The beach is not that friendly for beginners. There are rock out croppings and a reef. There can be too many people, but nothing like the circus at Hood River Kite Beach. They had no jet skis. He followed me with a surfboard. I was able to finally learn in La Ventana. My favorite beginner place is the Northeast end of Cozumel. It is warm with great areas to body drag. I need to go to Floras and Jones Beach! As a beginner having Jet Ski support really reduces the learning time!

nwkiterider · Since 15 May 2013 7 Posts Kook

Is Ron cooper thinking about moving far away
from all of us? Remember Ron one way ticket
works for all of us

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

Sounds like they are having kook vs. swimmer problems there messing with access and legal dept.

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

Hi All ,
I kite here in Alberta as it's home .
I have travelled to other locations for the sport . I went to Maui and loved it . Nice warm water , big waves at the right time and friendly people .
I took my instructors course there .
Yes it's a tight launch on kite beach . Yes it's a tight landing spot as well . It does however have from what I observed more of a consistent set of rules followed .
On Naish beach I observed several close calls as well as people trying to self land between others when it's not necessary .
We know there are rules to keep us safe and for access etc. In some cases rules are bent or ignored if your in the proper situation and have buddies on the same page to still ensure things stay good .
I didn't have a problem once I saw and got info from those there on launching and landing from Kite Beach . A swim out to the bunker is a good workout warmup before 11am . Can that be intimidating to some , certainly so . Add corals , staff infection on the sand benches water and sharks . Shit who wants to kite there ? I do . I had a great time there so I returned for more and hope to go again .
Here at home we have cold water all the time . Piers that get put out on the lake once the ice is off . Very limited launch access's and again get out past the piers . There are boat anchors and boat lifts to kite between , thick weed beds . Generally a bunch of crap to deal with . Oh yes I nearly forgot a lot of the time we launch in near onshore winds with the access points we have on some lakes .
Try teaching someone here !!! I have only taught a few since I became an instructor .
I am truthful to those that approach me . The Hazards the commitment of time as we have not got wind all the time so you need to be ready to give up work or family to learn . When the wind blows lets go . I also tell them go to ..... take two weeks and learn somewhere where you can kite nearly everyday , like Maui , and then you can use those skills here when we do get wind .
I say Maui is great
Oregon is awesome
Texas is incredible
NC is madness
Caribe is Fine
Holland is a "Hoot "
Alberta is home and It has it great moments for kiting once you know how !
I love to kite and love to see others having great time kiting .
Learn with someone you like in a place where you feel good about .
Oh ya and the boat lifts and such that used to piss me off are now targets to bounce my board off of .
JackZ

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

I'm sure it's an OK place to learn but yeah, there are a few obstacles and the water gets deep fast. And NO jetskis which is the best part of paying for lessons. They literally paddle behind you on longboards. which sucks if you 'get taken'.