We just finished three days of instruction at Kite the Gorge. Yes!!!! I can finally get up and ride in both directions!!! Thank you Carlos and Spring for making this an amazing and rewarding kiteboarding experience. Kyle was my instructor and he was amazing! I had a few lessons in San Diego and La Ventana, but my experience at Kite the Gorge was the best. I made really good progress with their program (love the two way radio system!!!) and was able to enjoy this world class kiteboarding location in a safe and efficient manner. Initially intimidated by the traffic and location, I quickly realized Kite the Gorge, with it's unique location and top notch instructors, was the best kiteboarding school for me. The equipment was new with the latest in design and safety features. They were very good about making sure we were on the correct size kites and boards for the wind conditions and took care in making sure we were proficient in using the safety features built into the kite system. I am already planning my next trip to do more lessons with Kite the Gorge. Such an amazing sport. The culture and people involved are absolutely wonderful. read more

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I cannot recommend Carlos and Itzhak more highly than to say: I entrusted my children, 8 and 10, with them to learn how to wing surf. My children were tentative (and a little distracted at times) and they were so patient, kind, generous, and you can tell their heart and love for people and the sport(s) they offer. I have gone to lessons at three different places on the Gorge and Kite the Gorge is our forever lesson home. The offering, the professionalism, the quality and skill, the patience (I could write a paragraph about how patient Itzhak was to take my kids and work with each of them, drive the jet ski, control the kite, carry the foil...... oy vey!) Their location is tremendous and allows for lessons and an experience that feels intimate, less commercial, and attentive. We are so happy to have found Carlos and his team. Forever grateful for the core memories and that my children are getting to grow and learn in a safe, fun, encouraging environment that will transcend time and go with them in life. GO KITE THE GORGE WITH KITE THE GORGE!! read more

Did about 10 hours of lessons here. Had great experiences with both instructors: Kyle & Miles. Everybody here was super nice and overall I had a wonderful time. Exhausting but worth it! Would highly recommend! read more

Kite the Gorge really stands out from all the other kite schools in the gorge. They have their own spot right at the spit away from all the crowds. An added bonus to their location is the free parking. Carlos and Spring (owners of Kite the Gorge) are also some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. They're legitimately invested in their students success and have created a supportive learning environment that makes you feel welcome from the moment you arrive to your first lesson. All of their instructors are top notch -- I took lessons with Rhice, Luke and Tanner. They all have their own unique teaching style which I found extremely helpful because I was able to hear things from a bit of a different perspective while I was struggling with my water starts. Sometimes it really helps to have the same thing explained in different ways. Rhice was extremely patient and would stop and give me little side lessons on things as needed. She also explained things in a way that made it really easy for me to understand. She gave me a ton of confidence and made me want to keep trying even though I was getting really frustrated with myself. She'd constantly remind me of what I was doing right and provided constructive feedback on the things I needed to improve on. She provided me with really good examples which ultimately lead me to that "AHA!!!" moment where everything just fell into place. Even though I'm done with my lessons (at least until I'm ready for some more advanced stuff) she has been kind enough to give me a few off the clock pointers which is something I definitely do not take for granted. Luke really got me excited about learning to kite board. He'd also test me throughout the lesson which really helped. He'd ask me about potential safety hazards or about the wind conditions -- whether they've changed or if there's anything that might signal that the conditions are about to change. Then he'd go into more detail after giving me a chance to analyze my own environment. Now I know how to predict changes in the conditions by looking at what's happening upwind from me as well as a better understanding of the wind in general. I'm also very aware of what's going on around me (potential environmental/human hazards) thanks to Luke. Tanner helped answer a lot of questions I had about some things I was struggling with. I was having issues with sheeting in too much and overpowering myself on my water starts -- lets just say I'm really comfortable with being waterboarded at this point. To compensate, he introduced me to what he called the "Jesus water start" where you pull yourself up out of the water by sheeting in with the kite at 12 and then doing a power stroke to get moving. This helped me get a better feel for getting up and riding before going back and trying a normal water start. Guess what? It totally worked! I was up and doing longer rides on my next lesson. I have nothing but good things to say about Kite the Gorge. I'd recommend them to anybody who is interested in trying this awesome sport. Not only did they get me from having zero experience to being an independent rider, they also made me feel like I'm a part of the kiteboarding community. read more

As a beginner, and 66 years old, I just want to express my sincere thanks to Carlos and David for an exceptional learning experience this past week at Kite the Gorge. Carlos was so helpful in terms of preparing me for my learning, and David was totally unflappable in terms of his tutoring me with The fine art of kite boarding. If you want to learn how to kite board this is the only place in Hood River that I believe delivers an exceptional learning experience with really great people. By the way Ilene and Taryn were wonderful in terms of managing the logistics and getting my account set up and my equipment installed. I highly recommend Kite the Gorge!!!!! read more

My experience was AMAZING!!! I took my friend out for our first kite boarding lesson and David was our teacher, he was so patient, thorough and incredibly skilled. It was a great way to be introduced to this awesome sport and I can't wait to get back into the water! Thanks to Spring for helping me book an appointment so very last minute! read more

Love Rice! Such a great instructor. Went here to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday, and had such a great time, I think we've discovered a life long hobby! read more

Spring and Carlos and all the staff at Kite the Gorge are dedicated to getting you out on the water with the best gear and instruction. I started this year and after two lessons felt confident to buy gear and start my own kiting practice. With two-way radio helmets and jet ski support my wipeouts were quickly reset. As I tried to kite, the instructor was able to give advice real-time through the radio irrespective of whether I was near or far from him. This is a serious place of instruction which will make your kite dreams come true! read more

My first time in Hood River last month and I had a blast thanks to these guys. Kyle was my instructor, he was awesome, super professional, patient and helpful. Carlos and Jill were amazing, accommodating my needs, being super friendly and with a great vibe. I loved my trip and would recommend them to anyone who wants to learn to kite or even have a refresher, like I did, since I wasn't familiar with the area. Super professional and great people all around! :) read more

Learning to kite with Kite the Gorge this summer was, I have to say, one of the most fun and exhilarating experiences of my life. I've always been a very timid person. When my husband and I decided to learn to kite last year, I was really just along for the ride. When we took our first lessons Memorial Day weekend, I left frustrated, scared (as I said, I'm a timid person) and ready to give up. But that was 100% on me. I had mentally prepared myself to fail. Anyway, I didn't. With the support of Carlos, Spring and Rhice I actually learned to kite - something I was beginning to think I couldn't do. Rhice in particular was incredibly supportive and probably one of the best instructors I've ever had, for anything. Some people have a lot of knowledge, but completely lack the ability to teach. Rhice is not one of those people. She is incredibly knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. Her patience astounded me and I am so glad that Carlos and Spring paired me with her throughout. But it wasn't just them, either. All the instructors at the school are invested in every student's success. For them, it seems, seeing every student learn to love the sport and become independent is a success. I don't think I'll every forget their cheers from the shore when I got my first real, controlled ride. Now that I'm done with lessons, at least until I want help to work on something new, I can't wait for my weekly trips to the Gorge and literally count down the days between them. This would not have happened had it not been for all the time Kite the Gorge invested in my learning, as well as their patience in helping me get over my lack of confidence and frustration. Many thanks to everyone at Kite the Gorge! I'll always remember this summer as one of the best ever and it wouldn't have happened without them. read more

Thank you, Spring and Carlos. My son and I had a great time, and both learned to kiteboard. I couldn't imagine it going any better.

Carlos is a real class act. I had a true kitemare and lost my kite, bar and lines and had to swim in. I watched my kite flopping around and tried to track it down. I thought it was lost. I drove near Carlos shop to look for it and his crew had chased it with the jet ski and had it on the beach . They were more happy I had not gotten hurt! I am grateful for people like this in Hood River. read more

Fantastic two days with Carlos and his instructors. My son and I went from zero experience to kiting a decent bit in just two excellent lessons. They put a premium on safety and self-reliance. I am confident that I can now get out on my own safely and successfully. Top quality slingshot equipment, jet skis and professional , patient instructors. Highly recommend if you are looking for a thorough start to kiting.. read more

Kite the Gorge is a 5 star business run by 5 star people!! Could not recommend this place more. The instructors are 10/10 (from beginner to advanced) and the equipment is in perfect condition. Hunter was my teacher and he was an epic coach and just a stellar guy!! The people and quality of this place differentiate it from the other places on offer (as I tried another kite lesson place the day before). If you are wanting lessons or rentals - I wouldn't look any further. read more