Schools crowding the HR sandbar

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Thanks for the info JC. Sounds like you guys were pretty careful. I was out on Saturday around 4-6pm which is when I noticed the congestion. I think this is more of an issue of establishing good rules that work for all users and following them, which is why it is being brought up. I'm also not blaming the students in any way. They're doing the proper thing by taking lessons and it is the instructor's job to keep everyone safe.

steviep · Since 04 Apr 2006 51 Posts Portland, OR

We have a great thing in hood river here. We have a place close to where a lot of us live where we can kite. We are not just kiters, we are a community.

That Saturday along with every weekend for the next ten weeks at the sand bar is going to have multiple lessons going on at any given time.

Currently, the Hood River sand bar is the only place that I know of in the Gorge giving certified, insured lessons. We cannot send everyone to South Padre to learn.
From what i saw, the lessons were taking place close to the nw corner of the sandbar.

There is 37 acres of waist deep water where the sandbar was last year. Even without the lessons there are going to be newbies who can't ride upwind utilizing that shallow water to dial in the basics. If you don't want to be anywhere that beginners are, give thought to riding upwind near the White Salmon Bridge.

Lyle has flat water. Upwind of Well's Island there is also good flat water. Not to mention the close to a dozen places within 45 minutes of Hood River that also have excellent wind for kiting, with no lessons.

I think that if you see an instructor teaching in a spot which seems to be a bad/dangerous spot to teach, you should talk to the individual instructor or school on a more personal level rather than an "I hate schools" thread. This seems to be more damaging than productive. It can only divide our community rather than bringing it together.
my .02 -Kdude

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

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

Phil you clever bastard.
They are helpful in the learning process though!
(as you mentioned before Wink

)

forrest · Tue Jun 03, 08 6:14 pm

Kiterdude, thanks for the post and a view from the other side.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, JKITES are definitely good for clearing congestion.

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

Maybe people think I am selfish for continuing to push jetskis, but I really do think that this is the best way to teach.

I have seen first hand the teaching power of jetskis. I have seen in 30 minutes somebody going from nothing, barely even body dragging skills. To fully staying upwind riding, relaunching the kite, and able to successfully body drag upwind to their own board. I have seen this happen to more than one person.

When you try to stand on land and stay in one spot, you struggle with the constant fear of ending up downwind. You also use the crutch of standing, and putting your feet down, and walking. All of which have no place in actual kiteboarding, and really just serve to make you tired quicker.

When you are learning in open water with ski support, there is no longer the fear of staying upwind, there is no fear of being stuck in the middle of the river, there is no problem for the instructor talking to the student because they can float a few feet away upwind. There's also no running into anything or anyone or getting in anyone's way.

I know its more work and more cost for the schools, but its definitely a safer and more effective way to teach.