Getting Started

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Business is Business.

If there are 4 kite shops teaching lessons, with equal reputation, if they need more business they will lower their prices, if they want less they will raise their prices.

Say normal lessons are 95/hr min 2 hours. There is incentive for the company to package their 5-6 hour newbie course at a lower per hour rate because they not only want the business, but it's a guaranteed 5-6 hours where as if you have someone book 2 hours your missing 3-4 hours that could "possibly" be filled. Also, having to pay for the instructor to be available for 3-4 hours could be a dent in the company's wallet, or maybe even loosing the instructor because they don't have enough work.

Supply vs. demand 101.

If there were only 1 kite lesson company on Maui they could probably charge and get away with 250+ per hour (yes I exaggerated a bit to make a point), where as if there were 10 they would have to lower their costs to get people to come. If they are booked a month or so out they would raise their prices to hopefully slow down to a manageable level, or hire more instructors.

Just complaining about the $ of the lessons is very irresponsible. This is how it should be done.

1) locate all the training shops/people in the area you want to learn from
2) get the costs for the lessons you want from those companies
3) research online the reputation of the company (could ask for PMs of opinions from people on this board for the Columbia River and probably locations)
4) Personally visit the spot, if you can, and hit up the locals that are rigging their kites and ask their opinion of the best instructors and ask about a couple other choices.

Not necessary is the most expensive the best, it could be the cheapest one. But you also have to consider what else they offer, jet ski/boat assist, radio assist, advanced trick techniques, etc. For example Jet ski/boat assist is great for beginners who are fond of loosing their boards, or boarders learning jumping tricks as the instructor can give feed back near real time where ever they land, or even getting out to the windy butter zones. A newbie learning with big chop/swells vs. shallow and buttery water... or a relaxing trip back upwind from a decent downwind run.

Back to the question of $$. Would you feel safer taking a lesson for $150/hr or $70/hr?

If I left it at that I'd be just a question of how much you wanted to spend.

If they had the same equipment for the customer to use...
If they had the same experiance...
if they had the same jet-ski assist...
if they had the same reputation locally...

If the above were all true which one would you choose?

Sella · Wed Jun 06, 12 11:54 am

Weaz you forgot the all important "do they have liability insurance." Reputable shops must carry it but everyone says they have it and that is how they justify their rates. Then you ask them if they can show you their insurance card. Wink

Everyone seems to be PASA certified as they search for a career change in these trying times so it's logical price will trend down. Many years ago in Parade magazine's Sunday paper (when people used to actually read the paper) annual insert "what do people make" article highlighted a "surf kite" instructor from Maui pulling down $250g's while today I hear you can get a lesson out East for a case of beer and Safeway chicken strips.

Fleisch, lessons are a must and the first step and best way to tell if the sport is really for you. The rub though is being a good kiter and being a good teacher are two different worlds. Plus, if you don't know how to kite where do you begin? Posting up on nwkite is a start but it's not a simple process so regardless of price you need to feel content the instructor can relate to you and guide you with comfortable progression because some personalities just don't jive during a recreational event that can become frustrating and complex quickly for the student as you repeatedly tomahawk their kites. Don't be shy and get out and meet the more established shops and drill them with questions like how do they train their instructors to teach, even request references. It's a business, if they are legit the information will be available. If they focus on hours, packaging a kite deal, and don't ask you a lot of questions upfront about what you want out of kiting I view as a red flag IMO. Kiting is incredibly enjoyable but do the research and find the instructor that will keep you safe and having fun from start to finish. They are out there. When you're done post up how it went.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1523 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Go to Floras and learn from Andy. No wasted money, pay for what you get, liability yes; wave runners yes, steady winds yes- non one can compare. 1 day down there is like 2-3 days in the gorge. No industry push here, just the facts. Have taken lessons both places and multiple peepes!!!!

achen · Since 03 Apr 2012 39 Posts

mackiteboarding has 2011 10m rallys complete for $1000

phenomenal deal

it is cheaper than some of the used ones in the classifieds