If I were to describe Hood River in a phrase, then it would be “Epic Beauty”. Be it hiking, or paragliding, or my favorite activity kiteboarding, Hood River never disappoints. The Columbia River Gorge provides constant windy streams, making the condition perfect for kiteboarding. There is enough space on the sandbar for easy launch and flat waters for safe rides. That’s why this place fits right into the training calendar of a beginner in kitesurfing. Suggested peak seasons would be from May till August. The waters are usually warm, making it comfortable for the novices to kick-start their sport.
Best Places To Learn Kiteboarding In Hood River
When you wish to learn kiteboarding in Hood River, you will be spoilt for choice. There are many kiteboarding schools in Hood River which are really good in their art of teaching the sport. They are mostly encouraging, and they make sure to attend each student with care and safety in mind, yet at the same time ensuring that the newbies become skilled kiteboarders!
However, with many choices, that can be a real problem. Which then it is best kiteboarding school in Hood River itself? Truth be told, it will not do justice to any of the schools if I were to select just 1 kiteboarding school in Hood River. Instead, we have done some digging and would love to share with you the top 10 training schools in Hood River where you can meet exciting and knowledgeable kiteboarding trainers!
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Cascade Kiteboarding
Located directly on the waterfront of Columbia River, Cascade Kiteboarding claims to be one of the best kiteboarding schools in Hood River. Between May to September, consistent winds prove this place to be apt for learning the sport.
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Kite The Gorge
Being an IKO certified institute, Kite The Gorge indulges in teaching the sport with great safety. If you look at the reviews online, you will see that there are many rave reviews about how attentive the instructors can be. Perfect for newbies!
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New Wind Kite School
With over 15 years of experience in the field of kitesurfing training, New Wind Kite School is very popular among the beginners as well as advanced learners. Don’t miss out on checking the fast-track program for new entrants.
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Gorge Kite
Another known event site for kiteboarding classes, Gorge Kite is known to be attentive to newbies as well as being focused on their eventual learning outcomes that they want their customers to have. They too teach a trick or two as a bonus to their learners too.
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Brian’s Kite School
With amazing summer offers, Brian’s Kite School offer SUP and gear as well. Don’t forget to check with them for latest programs!
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Come Kite With Us
Come Kite With Us is one of the latest kiteboarding schools in the vicinity. Not only does it offer great classes for kiteboarding, it also offers adventurous tours to windy destinations, which is perfect for a winding down session after an exhilarating kiteboarding session!
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Hood River Waterplay
With their own private beach on the Gorge, Hood River Waterplay is one of the unique schools that allows you to have a calm place for beginners to get into the sport. I think this is perfect, as you will be away from the judgemental masses that you might see in and around the area.
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Big Winds
There is another kiteboarding school at Hood River and it is called Big Winds. This place offers retail for kiteboarding equipment and has programs for training lessons as well.
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Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association
A non-profit community, the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association is one of the best kiteboarding schools for beginners. It specializes in conducting youth programs for beginners in kitesurfing.
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Urban Surf SUP Team
The Urban Surf SUP Team is a specialized group that helps to provide training on various water activities, one of them being kiteboarding.
Conclusion
When we have a perfect location in our mind, all we need is an instructor, the gear and lot of cookies in our bag! Hood River is a place with an amazing view, strong breeze, and shallow water sandbar. It calls out loud to be one of the best spots to learn kitesurfing. It’s been 5 years since I started kiteboarding, but the memory of the first splash in the warm waters of the Gorge remains fresh.
So, choose your training school, pack up your gear and create your own scrapbook of kiteboarding!
