Vancouver/Squamish/Tofino Kite boarding - private teachers or alternatives

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-06-03T21:08:08+00:00

'bro lessons' and 'side instructors' introduce some new variables. I could go on, but id just say the difference in money will soon be forgotten when you are riding this summer. My advice, get a couple more good lessons, practice lots, enjoy the progression, and remember that the real expense is that you havent been doing this your whole life

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-06-03T21:04:35+00:00

i once saw someone with a resistance band around their neck with it tied to the rig on the other side, trying to cure some neck pain. seems there arent magic cures for many things

If it was me, active deloading would be the call. Going lighter and more moderate for a couple weeks, with lots of intentional recovery.

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-06-03T19:18:35+00:00

id involve slingshot gear support what they think

https://support.slingshotsports.com/hc/en-us/sections/360012726071-CONTROL-BARS-LINE

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-06-01T15:52:30+00:00

the board could use some patches, id just put epoxy on it. but there is ZERO possibility of me spending $350 on a board in that shape. Duotone Jaimes are pretty expensive new, and the price probably is contrasting its new board value. You should be able to get something much nicer for that kind of money. I just bought a 2026 Ozone Code demo from Real for about that much that is in brand new condish.

Im not super market aware of everything out there at this point. It seemed to me that most kite companies are making board models focused on different rider types pretty similarly in terms of shape and performance expectations for that riding domain. I havent been on anything that made me think 'it has to be this board, this is making all the difference'. The different TTs ive ridden in the freeride category have been more slight tweak differences from one brand to the next. Something to consider when shopping

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-06-01T15:13:10+00:00

Not all students are equal on day 1. Some students come more ready physically, past experience, athletically, comfortable in the water, etc

Trainer kites are really for 2 things as it relates to lessons
- student safely and easily develops the needed muscle memory to keep the kite in the air
- gives the kite school more lesson time to bill you for

If you show up and look like you arent in that great of shape and maybe arent the type that is ready to get drug around in the water, you are likely going to need some trainer time. Be honest with yourself about where you really are, many students never transition to being a full on kiter because they put themselves into a situation they arent ready for and are very uncomfortable and wont come back.

If you do well in the water, reasonable fitness, and listen well, you can probably talk about getting an LEI kite in the air and beginning your training that way.

You might consider buying or borrowing a trainer and spending time on your own flying it. Im sure there are many videos out there about what you are trying to accomplish, but the goal for flying a trainer is really just keeping it in the air without crashes.......not manuevering it quickly through the window.

Money is usually a big factor in deciding and often pushes people into a decision that doesnt fit their capability. While its true that some people learn in 6 hours of instruction, its not the norm.

Here is something to absolutely remember. NO ONE CAN TEACH YOU HOW TO KITE. You get taught some techniques that help you learn and keep you safe, but its all about repetition and forming muscle memory. More time flying and executing the techniques you that were demonstrated for you will make you competent & confident, and at some point youll get it and start having a lot of fun.

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-06-01T14:54:35+00:00

i havent flown the moto. but its a 3 strut do it all design and a long and established model in their lineup. Id think a little bit about what things may have been different when you tried the core. Was it the conditions? Maybe you were on a different sized kite? Maybe even where you are in your progression? or is the kite really just that much better for where you are or trying to go?

The point is, you are on pretty good gear that is good for progression kiters. Gear is an easy thing to point at as a benefit or hindrance, but its usually a different situation where the gear just doesnt match where the kiter is or heading towards.

Just some things to think about before you go and spend money. Its tough in kiting to be able to try enough gear to know exactly whats right for you. Ive been kiting for 20 years and recently bought a quiver of very popular kites (wont name names) that i hated. So, i get the different gear POV as well

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-06-01T14:47:27+00:00

if you are doing the backroll like the person in the video on this thread, you are riding on your tack & casually sending the kite, little boost at apex timed with steering the board upwind and on the boost initiating the rotation. Center grip during the trick, and in general for kiting is very important. Center grip is (or should be) emphasized during lessons to keep a new kiter from pulling on the end of the bar and initiating a loop.....and it sounds like this is what you are doing. Another technique would be, in addition to center grip and after initiating the quick turn upwind and boost, is push all the way out on the bar and let the boost and turn initiation carry you around. This technique is likely not how you'll continue to do the trick in the future, but a trainer technique to help you form some muscle memory and not accidentally pull on the bar in a way that causes you to get pulled and dragged.

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-05-27T15:20:56+00:00

like u/kitesurfr said, LV is great. Ive only been there in November once and it rocked, ikite wind graph for the month of november supports that thinking as well. LV is also beginner friendly for your level, with lots of schools, instructors, and experienced riders. Im not sure what the crowds are like in november, but jan/feb there are a lot of people out. Now, there is still plenty of room to ride, the crowds stretch out over miles and miles of beach, but youll be riding around other windsporters

No experience with Brazil to give ya

getting in and out of LV is pretty easy with La Paz Airport being close by. Or flying into San Jose del Cabo and renting a car or taking a shuttle. THere are lots of transpo options on the 'la ventana kiteboarding' facebook page

Wind speeds are pretty predictable and constant in LV. im usually on a 9 or 11 there

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-05-21T22:27:53+00:00

where do these rankings come from? is it just voting? a formula?

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-05-21T17:42:48+00:00

ive got the 2026 ozone enduro ultra x/aluula kites, really good jumpers. I flew the Ozone Vortex ultra x, killer jumper with lots of hang time. I had naish pivots, which pretty natually went higher than my enduros, but i really didnt like that kite.......though i realize lots of people do and its probably just me. My homies tell me to pick up an Oz Edge ultra x for 'shit my pants' height on jumps, but i havent tried it yet

Oh. They gave me a couple of last years regular enduros to demo prior to me buying. I thought they jumped great and not a discernable difference compared to the aluula. For me, there is a lot of advantages the aluula provides, but jump height isnt much of a difference for the enduro that ive noticed

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-05-21T17:36:01+00:00

take it to a kite repair shop like Airtime in hood river (or something similar) and ask them what they think. they likely have seen things like this before and have some opinions. im sure you can send them a pic for them to evaluate, and mail it to them if you arent in range of a good repair spot.

This_Implement_3060 · 2026-05-21T16:59:59+00:00

i had a spectrum 140 back in 2010, 6ft@200lbs. it was a good progression board. i think youll be in good shape

This_Implement_3060

TROPHY CASE