what is the best way to learn to kiteboard?

Tim · Since 15 May 2006 12 Posts

what is the best way to learn to kiteboard?

I'm often asked - what do you think?

Thanks
Tim

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

take a number of lessons

Tim · Since 15 May 2006 12 Posts

... for a full learning program, I'm thinking

1. go to kiteboaridng sites, talk to people, master flying a trainer
2. buy an intro to kiteboarding video, get a basic understanding of the sport
3. commit to a multi-day lesson at a site with recommended conditions (ask a friend)
4. concentrate on self rescue, kite skills, upwind body drag, and kite safety systems in the lesson
5. learn about the weather, talk to kite shops, NWKite, ect
6. learn to stay upwind in most kiting conditions

My current thought is to recommend traveling to a location with the best learning conditions – room, trained instructor, and reliable wind (Baja??). You also need to commit a couple of consecutive days or a week to a lesson, and use rental gear in crashing and relaunching. Hood River during the week may be a good option (still crowded?), but what other less crowded and less gusty places do you recommend?

Learning to competently stay upwind seems to be the critical first step in kiting at many of the commonly windy sites around Portland. Many of the sites are more intermediate, either because of kiting traffic, current, waves, tough launches, or shipping traffic, and the basic skills are best learned at other locations.

So, where is the best place to learn? Where did you learn?

KingE · Since 27 Apr 2006 58 Posts Lake Wenatchee

SPI is where I learned to ride a board. Flat, open, shallow so you can do the walk of shame from anywhere.

jeb

STORMRIDER · Since 17 Jul 2007 222 Posts Stoked

check it out, it fits your criteria
http://www.floraslake.com/kite.html

Tim · Since 15 May 2006 12 Posts

Floras Lake lessons at $95/hour seems steep, but otherwise Floras would fit well with my idea of a kiteboarding learning program.

I've heard that Costa Rica and other places have much cheaper lessons ($45/hr). At that difference it wouldn’t take many lesson hours to pay for a plane ticket and supplement visiting a cool country.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

tim, almost anywhere in the gorge is 100/hr.... that seems pretty regular in the us.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Costa Rica is a harsh place to learn to kite. I've rode @ Bahia Salinas and its full on, not the best place for newbies.

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

SPI or OBX are great places to learn.
Wide open spaces, super flat water, great downwinders.

In OBX, a girl was just learning, did a 10 mile downwider with some other kiteboarders, and was riding by the end of that downwinder. Nothing beats easy access to/from the water, ability to stand up, and steady winds.

Trevor--

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

what is SPI or OBX?

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

South Padre Island, Texas

Outer Banks North Carolina

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

Bettyboarder · Tue Aug 14, 07 11:46 am

Tim first thing is this sport is expensive be prepared to spend. Lessons are expensive but worth every penny. Dont want to deal with crowds take a lesson with a instructor who has a jetski, then you can be in the middle of the river and not have to worry about other people or your board.

Sign up for a multiday lesson alot of times they will give you a deal also if you have any friends who are interested they usually give group deals.

Second I totally agree with Pacific

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

i threw down a disgusting amount of cash on my lessons. and they were worth it. 4 lessons at 2-3 hours a piece, gas, a hotel room one night. spend it here or pay for a plane ticket and hotel. unless you have a true mentor i.e. a friend willing to take some significant time with you, i think you gotta do it. that, or risk hurting yourself and others. i fear people unwilling to get at least a fair amount of direct guidance as beginners. even w/ my lessons it was hairy starting out. and i still have a ton of respect for the power that these kites generate. safety first. the fun naturally arises, grasshopper.
the learning curve is ludicrous. so pay some dues and you'll be out having tons of fun shortly. i'm still paying, but that's the price of getting better.
the progression video series is sweet to go along w/ the lessons. and there are a few pointers in shannon best's vids 101, etc.
lastly, people say the coast is a bad place to learn. i think it's making me a better rider, yet don't dispute there warning. i've got experience in the ocean from surfing and living in HI, so that helps. it's something to consider...
ps. will at floras is a great instructor. he's got a radio and can chatter at you as you try to make it work. he's got the jetski too. i recommend him totally. riding the lake itself can be dicey and lead to fairly extensive chiropractic(my case). on a good day it's good, but so is everywhere else on a good day. there's butter to be had between the waves if you hit the coast right. acres of pure buttah.