Trainer kite spots near The Dalles?

Andersong · Since 10 Jul 2014 4 Posts The Dalles, OR Kook

Hey there - I am new to the Forum and looking for info on where I can practice with the trainer kite near The Dalles where I live. I don't mind driving, but the closer the better. I want to make sure I am learning appropriate respect for local spots/how to park/where to practice with the trainer so that I am at least a "respectful newbie" haha! I'm stoked to join the community of kiters and looking forward to learning from everyone's knowledge base. I'm pretty comfortable with the trainer and looking for opportunities to really hone in my kite skills with that so that when I take the next step I can feel more comfortable and confident. So yeah, if you have some advice on great spots to get out with the trainer near The Dalles, please let me know!

Thanks friends!

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 664 Posts Addicted

Andersong,

When I was learning with a trainer I went to the local parks and schools. Be sure you have plenty of room downwind of you (start with at least a football field's length of open space down wind of you). Also, I'm not sure what stage you are currently at, but if you just got the trainer kite, have a friend go with you (preferably with kiting experience). You can get injured with a trainer kite, and if you are just starting out you may/will likely require assistance with launching and landing.

Once you have mastered the basics, I would suggest taking your trainer out into the water where you can stand (You may need to wait another month for the water to get lower). The key to this is making sure you can walk out far enough into the river such that when you crash, your kite will not hit land, and when you get yanked, you land in water). It's preferable to be in about 3 feet of water when practicing. Two close places you can do this would be Rowena (drive to the east most park and then walk to the east until you find a sandy beach (currently water is too high), then walk out to the river from there) and the Dalles riverfront park (stay far away from other park users, perhaps 150 yards or so west of the main swimming area).

The key is to become very familiar with your kite with the safety of standing in shallow water. Practice the following:
1) flying the kite across the wind window without looking at the kite
2) flying a sine wave without looking at the kite
3) flying the kite one handed - practicing steps 1,2
4) from a sitting position pull yourself up with the kite (simulating water start)
5) looping your kite
6) jumping techniques (run/walk with the kite simulating action of riding a board). You can acquire considerable air with a trainer kite...

I think you will find this is the starting phase of actually having fun with kiting. Do not rush this stage. Have fun and really get to know your kite.

Also, the fact you are posting this question means you probably already know this, however be very very respectful of other non-kiters around you. You do not want to be the guy that created an incident that got kiting banned. If there is not a safe location to fly your kite (around other water users), then do not force it.

Every kiter you see on the river has a kitemare experience they could tell you about. You will have them as well. As you are learning to kite always think about what your options are if/when things go bad (preferably before throwing up your kite).

Good Luck!!!!

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 664 Posts Addicted

Andersong,

Also, I don't think I stressed this enough in my previous post.

PRACTICE GETTING YANKED!!!

You want to know what it's like to get yanked from the safety of a small trainer kite and shallow water. Force the kite to yank you around. Loop the kite down low through the power zone. If required, go out in windier conditions.

It is so much easier to learn how to kite if you remove your fears, and the best way to remove fear is to experience it. Things aren't fearsome once you have experienced them and know how to deal with them.

Now, I'm not suggesting go right out with a trainer kite as a newbie and force a yanking situation, however as you start getting board with your trainer kite, push the limits. A trainer kite can really yank you around if you tell it to. Learn how to tell your trainer kite to yank you rather than learning the hard way with a big kite.

We were all at the stage when we were getting board with a trainer and wanted to move to a real kite and twintip. I think you will find that your final progression will be much faster (and less expensive) if you push the limits with your trainer first. Then when you finally move to a twintip and real kite, you only need to focus on your board skills as you will have mastered kite skills.

Have Fun!!!

Jimbo · Since 16 Jul 2009 58 Posts Seattle

Go someplace where there is a lot of fetch for the wind up wind of you (where it isn't blocked by a mountain, building etc.) Try to fly it in the cleanest wind possible.

Find a place where there is lots of room down wind of you.

I loaned my trainer to a friend who took it to a pretty lousy spot. She had a hell of a time flying it because the wind just wasn't consistent. I later had her fly the trainer at Rufus last weekend (when it wasn't particularly crazy windy) and she couldn't believe the difference.

Good luck...and when you have the trainer down...TAKE LESSONS

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

The trainer is fine for theory and everyone should try to fly it for 5-10 hours before lessons, but past that it's just a waste of time. Real kites are slower, relaunch, and have 4 lines so you can depower by letting out the bar. The comments above do pertain to your lessons though, 3' deep water is perfect but hard to find in the Gorge. The Sandbar and Wells Island have some and that is why lessons are taught there. Floras lake and Jones Beach are great too but far from the Dalles. You might get a teacher to take you to Rowena but I doubt it.

The water has really warmed up so now is a great time to take lessons. 2 day minimum, a 3 day is the standard. There is enough season left to gain some real skill and the cold spring currents are gone. An hour or three of wake boarding (especially switch) with your first kite board (roughly 138-150 x 40-42cm) can really help. Stick to the Sandbar on weekday mornings if you can after your lessons. Avoid sailing off the end of the Sandbar as the wind sucks North and East of it. After 2 days on your own you should try going out in the main channel where the current helps you stay upwind. After 4 days try topside by popping onto it for 30 feet before you transition. After you get topside on the Oregon side, kite up to the White Salmon bridge and try toeside and carving jibes in the flats as long as its relatively empty.
You can become intermediate in about 20 hours if you put them all close together, like every other day.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 664 Posts Addicted

Andersong,

In concept I would agree with Macgruber about the trainer kite. With just two lines they only get you so far. You still need to learn techniques for sheeting in and out which you can only do with a 4/5 line kite. However, if you only have a 2 line kite, use what you have.

Also, lessons are required before flying a 4/5 line kite (preferable before flying a trainer). You need to fully understand the safety system of your kite before hooking in. Also, there are a number of safety techniques for different situations. Work with an instructor who will help you to become safe while flying.

I do disagree with Macgruber on one thing however.
There are a number of locations East of HR that offer shallow water. I listed two spots near TD. Lyle is also close. James Owenby had a good point regarding wind, however you need to learn to fly in flukey wind as well (both TD and Rowena have flukey wind). Lyle tends to be smoother, however more crowded (and cold due to the klickitat river).

Depending upon the river height, there are many more options as well.

You can check out the river height here:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv/?site_no=14105700&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Andersong · Since 10 Jul 2014 4 Posts The Dalles, OR Kook

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I will take all responses into consideration when choosing locations to fly and how to respect kiters and non-kiters. I grew up surfing and snowboarding, so I understand that etiquette is important for the enjoyment of all folks in/around the area where we play.

Also, don't worry! I am taking lessons from a certified instructor who is awesome, puts safety first and foremost, and is taking me at a great pace that allows me to challenge myself while being firstly mindful of those around me and my abilities (and theirs). I took a lesson with him for a few hours using the trainer and am now practicing on my own - and with others if there are folks who want to hang out and work on this with me!

Wind was low that day, so I am looking forward to getting experience in high, low, and flukey conditions (yay The Dalles).

Accomplished in my lesson:
self-launch
self-land
parking along wind window edge
figure 8 in power zone (2 and 1 hands)
transitions between left and right hand along wind window edge
figure 8s with one hand on left and on right
loops, both one and two handed, right and left

He left me with lots of ideas about ways to expand my practice and increase proficiency with kiting. His primary goal with me is to get me self-sufficient with kiting so that I know how to manage safety and fun and not have to rely on others - granted I know we are all constantly relying on one another for safety in this sport! I'll see ya out there!

Anderson

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 664 Posts Addicted

Andersong,

Happy to see you are taking the right path towards learning.

My recommendation is to buy an inexpensive used kite in the smallish range (6-7 meter depending upon your size) off nwkite. Your instructor can steer you in the proper direction. Expect to pay in the $400-$600 range for this kite. Expect that you will trash this kite as you are going through the learning stages. Buy this kite before purchasing a board. This will force you to spend more time practicing with the kite than you really want to... but will help out in the end.

Once you have a 4 line kite, perform all the things previously mentioned, however another great skill to learn is light wind flying and light wind water relaunching. Go out in light days when you can barely keep your kite in the sky (while standing in 3 feet of water). These are skills you will appreciate the first time the wind dies and you are in the middle of the river.

When you are up and riding proficiently, PM me. I live in The Dalles. It's always good to kite with others.