Another noob/beginner post

jdubs · Since 21 May 2008 36 Posts Â

Hi, looking to get into kiteboarding and had some questions. First I'll give some background info. Grew up in the Seattle area on the water most my life. Raced sailboats in high school and surfed, windsurfed (water start and body drag but that was about it), swam, skimboarded, skied and snowboarded, skateboarded, wakeboarded my brains out (surfing being the main activity) until about a year and half to two years ago when I got tired of commuting to the coast for a session and catching two waves. Also broke my favorite board this last December after a 6 month break. Bummer.

I flew my buddies 7m kite in the gorge last spring in a field and it was a lot of fun. I borrowed the same buddies kite and have been flying it a couple times a week for the last three weeks. It's a snow kite so again I stayed in fields except for the couple times that I got lifted. Fun stuff. I have read as much as possible and even watched some fairly lame instructional videos. Lame but yet still educational.

Here’s the part that you don’t want to hear. I’m not planning on taking lessons… Couple reasons, first my experience in the water. Second, the cost. Third, the commute to hood river for a lesson which might end up covering much that I already know. Fourth, the cost.

I have a 5/4 full suit and shorty size unknown because it’s somewhere in my attic.
I have a surfing helmet which I will be using in the beginning.

Still need a life vest. Saw a good deal on an impact vest linked on here a couple days ago. Do those work well for flotation?

I am 6’2, 175lbs

What type of kite should I get? 10m, 12m, 14m? Heard that the bow kites are beginner friendly. Probably 5th line as well.

Board(s)?

Will probably be starting out at places like fern ridge and dexter/green peter reservoir. Looking to start soon so I’m good and ready for the summer.

Alright flame on! Oh and thanks

Jdubs

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 425 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

Lessons......... A good place will work with your current knowledge. Lessons.......

FunShui · Since 16 Jul 2006 146 Posts Really, really Stoked

Self-reliance is an admirable trait and while I appreciate your water experience, I respectfully will tell you, you don't know what you don't know.

Many of us have had extensive experience surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, bodysurfing, various other watersports, some even being consummate watermen. All of these great water experiences broaden one's abilities and confidence in the water and probably contribute to better choices when quick action is necessary.

.......but they are not kiting.

Do us and those who care about you a great favor and pony up for some lessons. They are beyond worth it for safety and dialing in the emergency responses.

If HR isn't appealing, go see Will Brady at Floras Lake. A real master teacher. Wherever you are at, he will make you better as a kiter.

You have nothing to fear, and very little money to lose. It is more than worth it.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

I have done all of the same sports you have done in life, and everyone told me the same thing, take lessons. Kiteboarding is not about surfing or riding the board as much as it is about flying the kite. Learning to fly the kite is the most important skill. Once you master that, you can then start to bring in all the other skills.

Flying the kite is flying the kite, and is not like anything else you have ever done, including windsurfing.

BTW, I took lessons. Best $$ I ever spent.

Bettyboarder · Wed May 21, 08 8:01 pm

This sport is expensive and if you not willing to cough up $ for lessons then maybe you shouldn't try it. Lessons are just part of the cost, you will have sooooo many more to deal with in the future.

Please do us all a favor and takes lessons, you are putting all of us out there at risk not just yourself...

jdubs · Since 21 May 2008 36 Posts Â

ok. so i was afraid of this. if I take lessons will they then rent to me? i.e. I want to keep going after the lesson is over? If not and I'm fairly sure I want to get my own gear what do you recommend as a good kite size for a 6'2 175 lb guy? foster lake, fern ridge, possibly lake floras summer time riding?

Bettyboarder · Wed May 21, 08 8:11 pm

If you take lessons they will give you everything you need. Once you take lessons you will have a idea of what size kite/board you prefer.

Where are you at? Maybe the coast would be closer for you to take lessons at?

jdubs · Since 21 May 2008 36 Posts Â

Corvallis. lessons in newport? know the surf shops out there. didn't think they had kite gear

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

if one person tells you ya breath stinks, well, maybe its just that guy's nose.

if 10 people tell you, well, maybe ya need a good mouthwash. . .

lessons are expensive.

not being as prepared as you can be when your life and safety and the lives a safety of others is on the line is MUCH more expensive. Twisted Evil

if you decide not to take lessons, will ya at least post us where you're going to be hanging, so we can maybe go the other way.

oh, and i have a 2002 16m cabbrinha black tip for sale, cheap.

its your call my man.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

apparently there is a guy who gives lessons in Lincoln city at the siletz bay, great place to learn. I'm sure your 7m snowkite experience will help boat loads. so when you do take a lesson tell the guy everything you know and make sure he's not wasting your time with shit you already know. tell him, I need to do water starts! (which btw you can basically practice on land by sitting your butt down on the grass and doing the maneuver to get on your feet. I'm not sure what the lessons taught me besides the following:

1. kiteboarding is far more dangerous than I ever expected (various lethal scenarios were outlined)
2. where not to fly the kite (could have learned this on a trainer kite myself)
3. figure 8 power strokes (could have learned this on a trainer kite myself)
4. water start procedure (pretty much needed a lesson for that, as I didn't have a board or kite powerful enough)
5. Kite aerodynamics, helps to understand how to fly your kite correctly (pretty much had this down thanks to extensive sailing and flying experience)

Never actually got up and riding on the board or did a single self-rescue in lessons though. My first ride was after I bought all my gear and was out at Sauvie Island last spring. First self rescue was this weekend Smile

. But I knew how to do it because I went over it in my head hundreds of times and have seen people do it (live and on youtube).

I know I'll get bashed for this but if you get these skills down you've pretty much
covered the material you'll get in lessons

The important thing though, I cannot stress enough, is KNOW WHAT IS DANGEROUS TO YOU AND OTHERS!!! I think thats the most valuable thing I learned from my lessons.

as for kite size, if you're going to be riding the coast (fern ridge is not reliable enough to specifically buy a kite for) I would say a 14m bow kite would suit you pretty well for the summer, smaller kite for the winter (9m or so)

BTW, I go to OSU but am up in pdx for an internship. I'll be down there every once in a while during weekends and be there full time again fall term. Let me know if you want anybody to ride with.

Oh yeah, and i think the "TAKE LESSONS!!" attitude is largely due to the overcrowding of certain areas, were the slightest mistakes can put a LOT of people in danger really quickly, not as big of a deal on the coast.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Just don't buy waroos... the cool kids will laugh at you Rolling Eyes

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

Spend several hours flying a small trainer kite: 1-3m max. Do this until you can fly it easily with one hand without looking at the kite. Practice sitting on the grass and putting a wakeboard on your feet while flying the trainer kite--with one hand.

Get a super cheapo used windsurf/kite waist harness and put some thick harness line on your trainer kite bar. Do all of the above hooked-in. Learn to fly the trainer with light hands ( thunbs above the bar) and hooked in.

Now, practice flying your trainer hooked in with one hand while running upwind to the right, and running up-wind to the left. Then do the same but have the bar perpendicular to the ground and drop your bottom hand off of the bar. Thus, if running left, instead of pulling left with the left hand for the kite to turn left, you push with the right hand. Do the same going right--drop the right hand and practice steering the kite by push pull with your left

If you can't fly a kite with one hand you can't kiteboard, because you can't get the board on your feet. If you can do ALL of the above with a SMALL 1-3m (max) trainer, you will save yourself $200 of intro lessons, and more important, be ready to pay for water time lessons in which you will have the kite skills to actually get the board on your feet, fly the kite well, and get in some good runs. You will also have practiced most of what you will need to be able to body drag back to your kiteboard.

Every hour you spend on that trainer will be worth 5 hours on the water, and save you a great deal of frustration and swimming back to shore.

TAKE LESSONS!!!!!!!! There is so much you need to know to be safe! I am serious. Think of kiteboarding as hang gliding, because they are pretty similar, and the consequences of screwing up and not knowing what to do about your screw-up can be very similar, and very nasty.

But, do the trainer kite lessons above on your own so that when you do pay for lessons you will progress quickly, safely, and in a very enjoyable fashion.

Hood River, Floras Lake, and the N. Oregon coast all have some excellent instructors. These folks will help you learn this amazing sport quickly, safely, and in the longer run save you money, as you won't destroy your own gear learning, and you will have a much better idea of what to get and where to get it once you are ready to buy your own.

Most of the kitemare carnage we see in Hood River is NOT due to lack of athletic ability, but due to plain old ignorance. The vast majority of dangerous situations are caused by new kiters trying to teach themselves on out-dated gear that they don't know how to use properly--if at all.

If you are still awake, thanks for reading and I wish you all the best in this amazing sport.

Regards,
Eric

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I still own a waroo.. Very Happy

good stuff, don't be a h8r spelling coordinat8r.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

jdubs · Since 21 May 2008 36 Posts Â

Thanks for the info guys/gals. I'll let you know of my succes/failure no matter what avenue I take. -jdubs

tonia · Since 15 Jun 2005 209 Posts The Gorge Stoked

I agree with Eric... great post on "if you're going to start out on your own..."!!

A couple of things I wanted to add:

Lessons are not solely for everyone else's safety and benefit as it may sound. It is for your own. Gear has changed exponentially in the last 2 years and it is worth learning on NEW gear that most schools should teach with. Always ask what schools teach with and make sure it's either 2007 or 2008 gear. I've seen many people go out and buy their own 4-5 year old cheap gear that they end up trying to learn on and never progress. That is so unnecessary when you could pay a little more for great gear that depowers, relaunches, and holds up consistently while you learn and progress in a much shorter time.

With lessons, you can try different manufacturers' gear while you're learning, which is a huge advantage as a beginner not knowing what to look at as a new buyer. Secondly, you WILL crash, roll, and thrash your gear as you learn on it, so why not let it be the schools' gear.

I'm sure I'll get some hate-letters from schools out there about this one, but.....
There are a couple key factors that make a legit kiteboarding school in the Gorge stand out from those who are just cranking students through...
1) The schools should have waverunner or boat-assistance for their lessons
2) The school absolutely must teach self-rescue.

I heard most recently that some schools are not teaching self-rescue in order to get students up and riding quicker. This is a bit scary to think, being that our local riding spots in the Gorge and on the Coast absolutely require self-rescue techniques if anything goes wrong. You will someday self-rescue as it might save your life or someone else's, so make sure you learn it.

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