Windsurfing Lessons at The Hook
Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:49 amDoes anyone have any experience with the different windsurfing clinics at The Hook. My grandkids want to take a lesson while we are in the Gorge this year.
Ken
I have spent some time with the various instructors up their in Hood River this year and last.
All the schools have set ups for kids.
Big Winds has uses the neil pryde one (which is the lightest kids rig available.) But their instructors don't really go through any formal training. Expect booms to not be placed correctly, etc.
Hood River Water Play actually trains their instructors - they have kids rigs - Jak teaches well but uses a few old school sailing techniques (but definitely a step above Big Winds.)
Brian's Windsurfing - is good, I don't know much about his school other then the instructors are well trained and use more modern techniques.
ABK Boardsports - is only their for two more weeks (this season.) Brendon, who teaches the kids, has been teaching kid lessons for 6 years now. He is a really good instructor that keep the end result in mind. Brian, from Brian's windsurfing, has said "if people understood what ABK offers, the other schools would be out of business." And for many years the other schools have sent their instructors to ABK to learn the intermediate skills. Depending on your schedule you could probably line up a one day lesson through ABK.
CGWA - doesn't compete with the schools, but they have gear at the hook now. If you are a member then you can get your grandkids into their school. But it also means you would have to spend time helping out. It isn't as organized as a drop of your kids and pick them up later school.
I guess that is some what biased, but that is what I see.