chasetoys - 15-12-2011 at 09:01 PM
Hi folks:
PS: I know that this is not directly a motorcycle question... but I am riding a motorcycle (as long as its still there in Chiqiula when I get back
from Holbux)
I'm David, 27 and I love action sports. I love surfing, rock climbing, mountaineering. I've never kite surfed before. I have wind surfed (a few days),
and snowboarded (capable of doing double black diamonds), and wakeboarded a few times. I have no idea how these skills translate, or if they even do.
I'm in fairly good shape; working out 4-5 times per week (cardio and strength training).
Right now I'm in Isla Holbux near Cancun Mexico. I'm riding my motorcycle from the USA => South America so I have a lot of latitude on where I
learn. I've been on the road for 3.5 months and will likely be gone 1-2 years from the USA.
In any case I have met a certified instructor here who is willing to do 6 hours of private lessons at $250.00. This includes using his gear to learn.
The going rate on the island seems to be about $450.00 for a 8 hour sequence of lessons.
Cost is a really important consideration for me... especially as I have to budget for years of travelling. Kite surfing is something I'd really like
to learn on the trip... but I need to really make sure it works for me economically. At the same time, I'm sure having lessons with a qualified,
quality instructor is not only important for safety reasons, but would also dramatically speed up how quickly I learn.
I'm wondering (please forgive all my noob questions. I did read through: http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.p...25876&start=10 as well as a few other threads before asking these questions.
0) How do these prices compare for other places that I might be able to obtain lessons going further south from here?
1) Is it worth going through the lessons here, if I'm going to leave after the lessons are complete and not be able to practice kiting until I find
another location that's good for it? I.e. is it something that you really need hours of practice afterwards to enforce the lessons?
1.5) Is 6 hours enough? I'm reading in the forums that 8 hours should be considered a minimum to learn.
2) Is there a potentially better place between here and Argentina to learn? Ideally I'm looking for some place that offers included rental hours in
the price (like the company I took some kite surfing lessons with in the Hood River area).
3) If I did take the lessons, they would start in two days. What would you recommend that I do to get ready for my first lesson so I can learn as
rapidly as possible? Youtube videos? Articles? Instructional videos? What's helpful?
4) Would you pull the trigger on the lessons with this instructor and location? Would you ask him for something different than he offered? Holbox is
supposed to be a great place to learn... I'm tempted; but would love to get the advice and opinions of those on this forum who know so much more than
me.
Best,
David
PS: IMPORTANT: I need to make my decision tomorrow (December 16th)... so if you're thinking about replying ... I'd *really* appreciate you replying
now; as opposed to later
PPS: If you'd like to chat over skype, my username is: arooni
bigkahuna - 16-12-2011 at 05:21 AM
$250 for 6 hours of private lessons is cheap. Don't know anyone state side who would do it that cheap. Only places I know for kitesurfing lessons
"south of the border" is La Ventana in Baja and Laurel Eastman's school in Cabarette, DR. I'm sure there are other places, those are the only two I
know of. I say if the guy seems to know what he's doing and you got the bucks, do it now. You may not get another opportunity elsewhere.
Sorry to say you might get a better response from kiteforum.com. They tend to be more worldwide than here (folks here seem to be mostly from US,
Canada, N. EU and UK).
ragden - 16-12-2011 at 05:56 AM
Yukutan Kiteboarding is somewhere south of us (haha, i know geography). And they are based out of DC. They live in Yukutan during the winter months,
then move up to DC during the Summer. Good bunch of folks.
http://www.ykkiteboarding.com/
I'm sure there are LOTS of schools down there, you just have to know where to look...
