Weather has been amazing, wind steady, and activities plentiful here in La Ventana. We start each morning with Pilates at 7, followed by an incredible hearty breakfast of fresh fruit bowls and an authentic mexican dish. Before the wind comes up we do a little standup paddling, or maybe just resting in a hammock with a book. Kiteboarding lessons consume most of the rest of the day, then it's happy hour, dinner, and bed around 8-9 pm!

On no wind days, we swam with sea lions & the whale sharks, which was one of the most amazing experiences ever!! We got to see humpbacks swim in a group of 4, one single humpback breaching and playing solo, and baby dolphins swimming at the bow of the boat. And as if the water activities were not enough, we went into town and did Lucha Lebre on Friday night! That's Mexican wrestling for those who don't know. Here's a photo journal of the last two weeks of kiteboarding camps in Baja Sur Mexico... what an amazing couple of weeks it's been!

 7 am Yoga and pilates under the Palapa

A spectacular view for morning movements -- Bahia de La Ventana, aloe and a variety of flowering cacti in the background.
Standup paddling the calm, crystal clear waters. Snorkeling from above the water!

Standup paddling out to a shrimp boat in the bay.

New for 2010!! Water pilates -- a challenge of balance and core strength on the SUP board in the water.

Humpbacks surfacing and diving in the bay.

Our guide Tim and captain Yoni, beached at Cerralvo island after swimming with the sea lions.

On a snorkeling trip to see the sea lions, we were greeted by this beautiful breaching humpback whale!

Humpback Whales on our way to swim with sea lions from Tonia Farman's Vimeo page.

Taking Jen out for her first ride of the camps. Goal: go out and come back to the same spot!

Kiteboarding with the GoPro wide angle camera on the board!!

Brittney runs through launching a kite with Annie.

Brittney picks up Katie from her downwinder on the quad.Our other instructor Brittney on the ever-important white board!

Tonia, Rochelle, Jen, and Brittney at camp.

A fine day at the office... Tonia instructs via radio helmets, following on the ATV from the beach. You go downwind, and we pick you up!

Board meeting. Rochelle, Annie, and Ingvil get instructed on board starts in the water.

A no wind day means there's always something else to do! How about swimming with whale sharks?

This guy free-dove down under the whale shark. These fish are absolutely beautiful!

Following the big swaying tail from behind. See the video below!

Swimming with Whalesharks from Tonia Farman on Vimeo.

Lucha Lebre in La Paz - mexican wrestling - what a crazy experience!

We are evaluating sites and logistical requirements for the school's location in Hood River. CKB will continue to  maintain the highest in lesson standards, so we're exploring multiple options for how to best serve our students and provide the best lesson experience!

We will continue to run ALL water lessons with a jet ski for instruction safety and support. We will also continue to use the HeadZone radio-controlled helmets for all lessons. Cascade Kiteboarding is the only school in the Northwest that uses both jet ski support and radio-helmet instruction.

Dakine Harnesses

'08 Women's Starlet Shorts Harness --  CKB End of Summer Sale: $55  $50
Size 6 in Olive
Size 8 in Olive
Size 8 in Pink
Size 10 in Pink

New & Used 08 Women's Waist Harnesses
Almost New - Wahine Waist, Large $45 $40
New - Siren Waist, Large $55 $50

New 08 Men's Nitrous Harness Shorts -- $55 $50
28" in Olive
28" in Olive

Liquid Force Kites - Used. Complete with bar, lines, bag, and pump.

08 Havoc 8m - $450 $420

09 Havoc 6m - $620 $570 SOLD
09 Havoc 8m - $750 $700 SOLD
09 Havoc 8m - $750 $700 SOLD
09 Havoc 10m - $850 $790 SOLD
09 Havoc 12m - $950 $890

09 Session 6m - $500 $470
09 Session 9m - $625 SOLD
09 Session 12m - $750 $680
09 Session 12m - $800 SOLD

Liquid Force Boards - Used. Complete with Luxury Pads & Straps

09 Diva 141 - $250
09 Proof 141 - $250
09 WLF 140 - $385 SOLD
09 WLF Limited 145 - $490 SOLD
09 Aura Comp 131 - $420
09 Aura 130 - $330

Liquid Force Harnesses - Barely Used. Complete with pad and spreader bar!

09 Women's Aura Harness Size S - $99
09 Women's Aura Harness Size M - $99
09 Men's Luxury Harness Size M - $99 SOLD
09 Men's Luxury Harness Size L - $99 SOLD
09 Men's Luxury Size XL - $99

Interested in winter riding and/or instruction? Be sure to check out my Baja Women's Camps in February and March of 2010, taking place in La Ventana, Mexico! These camps are a blast and for every riding level! All levels are welcome since we coach in groups of two students per one instructor. Sign up soon! These camps fill up quickly!!

To get 30 women together in one spot is a feat in itself. But to have 30 women kiteboarders who all rip on the water, learning from each other, and sharing the stoke of kiteboarding is an incredible event! That's exactly what the Summer's End Women's Kite Clinic was all about - sharing tips and stoke.

Supported by Dakine, Liquid Force Kiteboarding, Best Kiteboarding, and Elemental Herbs, 8-Time World Champion Kristin Boese and Tonia Farman hosted the event from Well's Island in the Columbia Gorge. Once everyone was shuttled to the island, the gray clouds parted and the wind turned on. Tonia and Kristin kicked off the all-day event with demonstrations by Kristin while Tonia walked through the steps to perform the maneuvers that Kristin was executing. The gals asked questions as Kristin rode back and forth to demonstrate moves. Then it was time for everyone to get on the water! The wind had picked up to low-mid 20s, so smaller kites were rigged for the on-water instruction.

28 girls launched their kites and headed upwind to ride in a wide open section of the river, with steady wind for attempting tricks. Tonia and Kristin, on their kites as well, stayed close by to give tips and instruction and demonstrate on the water. After a lunch break, the gals went back out for a group downwinder to the Hood River Event Site.



The evening festivities were hosted by Windance with cocktails, Thai dinner, music, and a raffle sponsored by Slingshot and Mystic. Thanks to Dakine, Liquid Force, Best, South Bank Kitchen, and Windance for an incredible day!

There is also a Standup Paddle Endurance Race, and for 2009 - a Slider Box 4 Cancer - a 62 foot long, 8 feet tall Fun Box for the daring park-style riders to hit throughout the day. We raise funds for our beneficiaries through a silent auction, live auction, raffle, and beer and food sales. Additionally, corporate sponsors donate Dollars-Per-Lap for the endurance races. There is live music, art, kiteboarding, activities for the kids and adults alike.

If you are new to kiteboarding, this is an event that you won't want to miss. Even if you can't stay upwind to ride in it, you can volunteer or just sit and watch! It is an awesome site and an incredible vibe unlike any other. Dates for the 2010 Kiteboarding 4 Cancer and Standup Paddle 4 Cancer have been set for July 9-11!! Put it on your calendar!!

For more info on this year's event, go to the KB4C Blog!

Here is our crew, not including the brand police up on the ledge making sure everyone was in branded jersies!! Photo includes On-The-Go-Joe (our talent, reporter), Tonia, Eric, and Gary.

Ok, I was a broadcast major, but I don't remember how to wing it if everything goes wrong.

As Sam, Matt, and Claire got on the water for lessons, the rest of the Gorge pulled out SUPs and kayaks to paddle around the glassy conditions. The Easterly wind is short, but so so sweet, and here in Stevenson we are lucky enough to get the best of them.

If the water is glassy in Hood River, don't be so quick to give up on kiteboarding. It might be blowing 18-22 in Stevenson. You would never know until you go. Give us a call by 9am and we might be able to squeeze you into the Easterly winds that day! By 3pm, the winds usually back off in preparation for the next day's Westerly push.

Call for lessons 503-727-KITE (5483)!

I first found kiteboarding in the winter of 2002 living in Chamoix, but it wasn’t till the following summer that I actually got involved and started my life as a kiteboarder. I took a lesson through a school in Hood River, and was immediately hooked. Spending two summers there in HR helped me hone my skills, to a point where I felt it would be possible for me to teach the sport. I completed the IKO instructor course in 2004 and the IKO Snowkite instructor course in 2009. Since then I have taught kiteboarding for Air Padre Kiteboarding in South Padre Island, TX, and also worked as the school manager for the Best Snowkite Center at Powder Mtn in Utah. I am excited to be working with Cascade Kiteboarding as it now allows me to teaching and coaching year round in 3 great places.

Although I do come from Utah, pinning down exactly where I am from at any given time these days is a bit confusing. Guiding and Teaching has allowed me to travel and live in some pretty amazing places. Winters in Jackson Hole, Chamonix and Eden,UT. Summers in McCarthy, AK, and Nevis Valley New Zealand, and Hood River, OR. Springs and Fall seasons in South Padre Island, Jackson and places in between. In all of these places, I have had the opportunity to work and live with some amazing people and have learned alot from them. At work, the high standards and expectations for strong results has become the norm. At play, an unconditional agreement to challenge myself both mentally and physically each day.

Dawn Patrol: waking up in the with the AC blasting down in SPI, open the door to humid 90s, leave AC blasting. Coffee, Smoothie, Downwinders all day long!!!!
Evening Patrol: Suds and lots of grub, I like to eat to a point of total pain and suffering and then pass out early. Im old so getting alot of sleep is important!

When not on the water or snow with a kite in my hands, I like to trail run, play soccer, climb, snowboard, hunt critters in the woods, and try to figure this new camera I bought out! Totally over my head but I like it.

I totally believe in teaching and sharing this great sport. Its important for me that each of my students is presented with the solid foundations for a safe kiteboarding experience both while at Cascade Kiteboarding and also as a independent kiteboarder.