Anywhere to learn in Roch?

[djrover]

Hey..i live up by durand and see more and more of you out there tearing it up, like today...Wondering if there is anywhere in the area that provides lessons...longtime snowboarder and former surfer, not sure that buys me anyting. thx

[jollymon]

Hey djrover, are you referring to windsurfing or kiteboarding?
If kiteboarding:
I am not aware of anywhere locally to learn. Dan Stein (of highrollerkiteboarding.com) is a Rochester Native and teaches lessons but he made the move down to Sarasota. Its recommended to take lessons but you can take some steps to learn on your own.
This is my second year since i got into kiteboarding. I started last season with a 3m HQ hydra trainer kite. From everything I have read, heard, and experienced, it is recommended you start with a trainer kite. These kites are smaller and mimic the way a larger bow kite will fly. You can fly these in any open field on dry land. This allows you to learn how to control the kite, without the sometimes overwhelming size of the larger kites, in a safe environment without having to worry about a board, or the water for that matter. After you feel comfortable and confident with the trainer, you can start body dragging in the water. That is, fly the kite while you let it pull you through the water without a board. This is were I was at at the end of last season. I would body drag down wind along Durand and then walk back on the beach upwind (upwind body dragging is possible and an important skill to have but is very slow as you can't get much traction without a board). After you are comfortable doing this, the next step is a full size kite. That's where i am right now. I hope to be kiting on a board by the 4th of July. Being a former surfer means your no stranger to the water and you have balance. That's a plus. I'm an avid skier and slalom water skier. I'm thinking it should help somewhat. But remember, keeping the kite safely in the air is number one, without that, nothing else matters.
I didn't really answer your question but perhaps my experience of learning to kiteboard is beneficial.

[pat]

Good info.- a small kite in an open space is a must. You don't even need a lot of wind to log kite time. Obviously the kite is the most important component, and until you can fly it one handed, without watching it, you should keep the board out of the equation. In addition, some one on one time with an instructor for safety, rigging, wind info. and general routine is invaluable. Although the general scene may look chaotic, the shoreline is sacred ground and the people their have spent a lot of time flying, so when you rig up make sure you know that you are not going to offend or injure any of the others. If you want to learn quick, plan a vacation to a windy place where they have certified instructors. Unfortunately learning is going to take some time around here because when it's windy, everyone wants to be on the water. If you want to talk to someone, go down to the beach whenever it is blowing, but please note, it is usually best if you wait until after their session. This area can be awesome for sailing, but every session is considered a privilege. Good luck! By the way - I have a five meter that I would sell complete with a rigging lesson for 100 bucks. Please know that this is not an advertisement. [e-mail]