BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hi all-
My wife an I have recently moved to the bay area and I am looking for a good school so she can start kiting with me. I have done a little research and it seems kite415 run by Ovi is slightly cheaper than other schools, but I cant find to much information about them. Is Ovi a good instructor that I can trust my wife with? Does he have a good reputation in the bay area? The price difference is very small and safety is obviously the biggest issue here.

Thanks, I appreciate your input!

Ovi is an awesome guy, he definately knows his stuff. I havent heard anything from his students directly but he is an extremely good kiter and very laid back.

Depending on your location, one of the more fun and warm places to give it a go is with Donny and Sandy at the delta. They take you up to an island upwind about 20minutes or so and you got a good 45minutes of downwind to play around with. Alameda would be the easiest spot to learn at provided there is wind, Boardsports has the shack right there on the beach which makes lessons convenient. I wouldnt reccomend 3rd ave for a 1st lesson unless you had ski support. No matter the spot, alot of people get intimidated by being thrown out of a boat in the middle of the bay. Ideally alameda 1st, then a downwind run atthe delta.

Hope that helps.

My dad is 65 and has been taking lessons from Jeff at http://www.wowkite.com/.
I recommend them highly.
Whatever you do make sure she has jet ski assist.

JohnP wrote:Hi all-
My wife an I have recently moved to the bay area and I am looking for a good school so she can start kiting with me. I have done a little research and it seems kite415 run by Ovi is slightly cheaper than other schools, but I cant find to much information about them. Is Ovi a good instructor that I can trust my wife with? Does he have a good reputation in the bay area? The price difference is very small and safety is obviously the biggest issue here.

Thanks, I appreciate your input!

Where are you getting lessons from Ovi?

for what it's worth, a lot of women feel more comfortable being taught by a woman. you should ask your wife her opinion on this. a few of the schools have women instructors, so if that's a requirement, make sure to mention that.

I would take a close look (Highly Recommend) at Jeff Kafka's school WOW KITE...he has taught many of the silicon valley executives and then their wives, and then their friends. Think he may even have a female instructor this year as well. He teaches year round; on the water in the summer and on the snow in the winter...assume somewhere on the Peninsula is most convenient for you. If the east bay is more convenient, check the lessons out from Kite Wind Surf in Alameda
steve
(if you want more complete or detailed info or to discuss..pls private email me)

You could ask Ovi to wear a skirt. just sayin'

Adam, your such a gent. whats it like?

One thing I would recommend is to make sure the instructors are certified by PASA or IKO. I have heard some horror stories about teaching techniques of non certified instructors.

for what it's worth, a lot of women feel more comfortable being taught by a woman. you should ask your wife her opinion on this. a few of the schools have women instructors, so if that's a requirement, make sure to mention that.

I had my wife book a lesson with Sandy @ Kitopia for that very reason. The other major factor was location -- I wanted her to get comfortable in the delta so I could drag her there all summer long :)

Go through the sites at www.kite415.com and www.wowkite.com and see what is best for you. Ovi and Jeff are both great guys and will provide you with solid lessons and skills. Ovi is running his own school now and has previously taught for Paul at Ooto.com here in the Bay and taught for a year and a half on Maui. Wherever you choose to get lessons, ask who is teaching the lesson, who they are certified by and how long they have been teaching.