Delta newbie lessons?

[Tim]

I got started last year and got a few runs out at Alameda, I wanted to get a headstart on this season and wondered if their is somewhere out in the delta where you can get some refresher training. I was OK riding downwind but had a lot of problems relaunching and I need to learn upwind. Any suggestions? I have a day off next week so was thiking of heading that way, wind permitting...

[Don Bogardus]

Alameda is more reliable this time of year, you can get lessons
there, or practise on your own. Just try to avoid the storm type
winds though, as they can be very unpridictable, with giant spikes
of wind increase's.Alameda is perfect to practise at medium to low
tides, when you are far away from the street, and can stand up
to practise relaunch untill you have a good understanding of the
many different ways to get kite off water!.

[Proparoo]

I recommend Edge Kiteboarding based out of Sherman Island.
I took 10 hrs of lessons from Nat down in La Ventana and I feel he did a great job. I have had other lessons from other instructors and feel he was by far the best.

He does his lessons out of a boat and brings you up wind into the safety zone. This way you don't need to deal with the rocks.

He said that he will be back in the US as of May 1.


Rich

[andyandmarlys]

If you'd like to stay local, Kitewindsurf offers jet ski lessons. We have the ability to go to any location in the bay... from 3rd Ave to Angel Island to find wind.... We offer bow kite and C-kite lessons, and have a great repuation for finding lessons and teaching great lessons. We have a 90% success rate in finding wind.... check out www.kitewindsurf.com for more details..

Andy

[Pablito]

Uh, since no one has said this yet:

DO NOT GO NEAR THE DELTA UNTIL TEMPERATURES IN SACRAMENTO REACH 85 DEGREES during the day.

Winds in the Delta in the spring are unpredictable, the water is freezing, the current is very strong, and there is lots of debris washing down the river. It's not a good place for anyone who doesn't know how to stay upwind. Listen to the Alameda guys.

When you stop hearing the weatherman talk about rain, and start talking about hot weather, then go to the Delta and take a lesson to get the lay of the land.

[Proparoo]

Yes, Paul totally correct.

Though I am new to kiteing, I have been sailing the delta for about 20 years and everything he is saying is very true.

Every year we park out camper at "the Sign" as of May 1.
The thermal wind starts mid to late May into June.

This year, for sure, the current will be way up!!! Sacramento will start flooding as of today, all the gates are open at Natomis, 20+ ft. snow pack in Tahoe means it will sirely be a big current.

Rich