A beautiful left hander at Lobitos

Cascade Kiteboarding is headed to beautiful Mancora Peru for the some of the best wave riding in the world this November 12-21!! And... we want you to come!!

If you are a goofy footer, this is a dream riding spot for you! The world's longest and cleanest left-hand waves line the North coast of Peru, creating a playground of endless ocean corduroy and turns that will leave you drooling for more. Not a goofy-footer? You'll quickly forget and then realize that this will be some of the best backside riding of a lifetime!

In addition to epic waves, Mancora's mild temperatures and friendly conditions make for a great spot to progress all of your kiteboarding. Tranquil, sandy beaches, flatwater lagoons, and warm water surround you!

This expedition is for intermediate-advanced riders who can consistently ride and stay upwind.

CKB PERU guests stay at the waterfront Samana Chakra Surf & Yoga Resort in Mancora, Northern Peru.  Cascade Kiteboarding PERU Kite Expedition includes: 

• 9 nights, 10 days at Samana Chakra Surf & Yoga Resort
• Transportation to and from airport
• Three freshly-prepared gourmet meals each day
• Daily kiteboarding support plus six downwinders and excursions to/from Organos, Lobitos, and/or Cabo Blanquillo
• Riding tips and technique instruction from the Cascade Kiteboarding staff
• Beers & beverages post-kiteboarding!
• Daily pilates and/or yoga sessions for strengthening and flexibility!
• 2 60-minute massages during your stay

Dates are November 12-21. Travel days from the states would be November 11th from the West Coast, arriving in Lima on the 12th. All guests will fly from Lima to Piura, arriving together.

Daily yoga and pilates for increased strength and flexibility for kiteboarding!

Cascade's PERU Kite Expedition will run November 11-21 only, with limited availability to 12 people.

Accommodation Options: Prices are per person.

Shared Garden view villa: $1950
Shared Oceanfront villa: $2055
Oceanfront one person: $2881
Oceanfront couple: $1985

This is a trip of a lifetime. To reserve, a 50% deposit is required by September 1. Call Tonia at (541) 490-9621 or email tonia@cascadekiteboarding.com.

• IKO ITC Level 1 : May 21-25, 2010 with IKO Examiner David Dorn.
• IKO Assistant Instructor Certification : May 12-14 with Level 2 IKO Instructor Tonia Farman.

To register, please first check the requirements below and email tonia(at)cascadekiteboarding.com for further details and to reserve a spot.

Prerequisites :

Candidates to take the ITC Level 1 must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Kiteboarding for at least 1 year and be a certified IKO kiteboarder Level 3 minimum
• Have an IKO Assistant Instructor certification (Water only) or provide a letter of recommendation from a teaching experience in a water or aerial sport. There will be an Assistant Instructor certification course prior to the ITC course in Hood River, May 12-14.
• Have a valid first aid and CPR certificate or complete it before the ITC with the IKO Examiner running the course
• Pass online Pre-ITC course
• Kiteboarding only: complete the IKO powerboat certification course or have an outside powerboat certification.

Course Costs: All fees must be paid in full to Cascade Kiteboarding 2 weeks prior to course start date.

IKO ITC Level 1: $850

IKO Assistant Instructor: $250

Other Relevant Info:

First Aid/CPR Course : May 4th and 18th, Hood River. Call 503-284-1234 to reserve a spot.

WA State Boating Safety Course: http://www.boat-ed.com/wa/index.htm

OR State Boating Safety Course: http://www.boat-ed.com/or/index.htm

After attending an ITC, you will be qualified as IKO Instructor level 1 and will be able to continue your pro training to become a Level 2.

Cost:  $250 for the 3 days. Payment is due in full 2 weeks prior to course start date.

To book: Email tonia(at)CascadeKiteboarding.com

Becoming an Assistant Instructor  is a great way to gain experience to prepare for a professional career, or simply discover what an Instructor's job is all about.
If you intend on registering for the ITC (Instructor Training Course to become a Level 1 Instructor) but have no prior teaching background in a water sport, then this course is mandatory.   In sum, it is the best way to unite your passion with your job – and you can start your training as young as 16 years old.

Not only does the Assistant Instructor program provide you with hands-on experience, but it also helps build great teaching and organizational skills. In addition, you will learn more about the equipment, how to prepare and use it properly, how to follow the fundamental safety principles, and much more. 

An Assistant Instructor is qualified to:

• Manage the equipment organization and maintenance
• Manage the kite launching and landing of a group of 2 students*
• Teach one student at a time up to level 1/C*
• Supervise the safety of 4 kiteboarders from level 2/I and above who rent equipment or kiteboarders who need assistance
• Assist an Instructor level 1 or 2 for launching and landing procedures and information transmission during a course



A mellow paddle along the clear shoreline in the Sea of Cortez

John Ashley from Paddlesurf.net, Tim Hatler of Palapas Ventana (The Best of Baja), and I will be your instructors and your guides for the week! I will also be teaching daily pilates sessions!

We start day one with some core strengthening in Pilates. In fact, everyday starts with Pilates!! We then take to the water with the basics of SUP, including paddle strokes, turns, positioning, and balance.

On day two, we take our first expedition in the Sea of Cortez, a stunning long-distance paddle to a beautiful remote beach, where we will camp for the night.

On the morning of day 3, we head back to La Ventana, then in the van for a road trip to Mag Bay on the Pacific Coast! After crusing out to the island, we hit happy hour and a stunning sunset right before dinner.

The water is soooooo clear! You're snorkeling above the water!!Day 4 we wake early for morning Pilates and some paddling in our first surf of the trip!! If the surf doesn't pan out, we can hit the other side of the island for some flatwater cruising.  After a full day of paddling, we head back to La Ventana for our last day of paddling.

Day 5, we go for an island expedition to Cerralvo Island, an uninhabited and pristine island with stunning marine life all around.

Camps are $1690 per person and include:

- 6 nights, 7 days accommodations at Palapas Ventana - 3 girls per specialty casita
- All meals included.

- Evening socials and chalk talks at the PV bar
- Accommodations on expeditions
- 5 Days of SUP instruction and expeditions in the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean.
- Daily morning Water & Mat Pilates sessions focused on strength & balance
- Use of kayaks and snorkeling gear
- Optional activities include massage, cooking classes, spanish classes, diving and fishing trips.
* Price does not include 13% Mexico hotel tax
* Price does not include transportation to and from the airport, however we will arrange the transportation for you once we have your travel itinerary.

2010 Camp Dates:

Sept. 27-Oct. 3
Oct. 4-10

To make reservations or if you have any questions, please contact me tonia(at)cascadekiteboarding.com or email Tim(at)PalapasVentana.com.

Water pilates will become part of your daily routine!



Cascade Kiteboarding's Tonia Farman, in conjunction with Kitemasters Kite School and Palapas Ventana are once again hosting Women's Kite Camps in La Ventana, Baja Mexico for 2010:

Feb 21-27
Feb 28- 6
Mar 7 - 13

Last year's camps went so well, we're adding one more week to the schedule! If you haven't been to one of my camps in La Ventana, you are in for an adventure you'll never forget! The 6-day camps focus on full days of kiteboarding instruction (as soon as the wind starts blowing!) but that's not all. Here's a typical day:

We get started at 7am with a Pilates-at-Sunrise session, have a healthy home-cooked breakfast with fresh fruit, proteins, strong coffee and fresh Jamaica (Hibiscus juice), then it's snorkeling, kayaking, or stand-up paddling until the wind comes up around 11. For the rest of the day we take advantage of the wind and get 2-to-1 kiteboarding instruction focused specifically to everyone's level. After kiteboarding, there's a little down time, then Happy Hour back at Palapas Ventana with the best margaritas in Baja! Authentic, home-cooked mexican flavors are served at 7 for supper and then whatever you want to do until you can't stay up anymore! Days are usually so full and active that most guests are out by 8pm! We call it "Mexican Midnight!"

All camps are open to all levels of riding. Because we pair two students to 1 instructor, we can accommodate all levels of riders in one camp, with a maxiumum of 8 guests per camp. You are paired with another student who is your same level.

Beginners > Never flown a 4-line LEI (Leading Edge Inflatable) kite or minimal experience with 4-line kite.
Intermediate Beginners > Can control a 4-line LEI kite and body-drag
Advanced Beginners > Can confidently board start and get going in both directions
Advanced Intermediates > Can ride both directions, stay upwind, starting to execute transitions and jumps.

Camps are $1390 per person and include:

- 6 nights, 7 days accommodations at Palapas Ventana - 3 girls per specialty casita
- All meals at Palapas Ventana and 2 dinners out on the town
- Evening socials and chalk talks at the PV bar
- 3 Days of kiteboarding instruction with Tonia and the Kitemasters Kite School professional staff- Lesson gear included
- Transportation to kite spots for lessons
- Downwinder transportation
- 2 1-hour Pilates sessions focused on strength & flexibility for kiteboarding
- Use of kayaks and snorkeling gear
- Optional activities include massage, cooking classes, spanish classes, standup paddling, snorkeling, diving and fishing trips, daytrip to the Pacific.
* Price does not include 13% Mexico hotel tax
* Price does not include transportation to and from the airport, however we will arrange the transportation for you once we have your travel itinerary.

To make reservations or if you have any questions, please contact me tonia(at)cascadekiteboarding.com or email Tim(at)PalapasVentana.com.

Taking place in Hood River, Oregon on August 29, 2009, this intermediate clinic will focus on intermediate manuevers from transitions and chop-hops to rolls and raileys. All riders must be able to stay and ride upwind. Clinic is limited to 25 women. Here are the details...

Dates & Times: Saturday, August 29 meet at 10am, Sunday as a backup for wind.

Food & Bev: Lunches from South Bank Kitchen, Bevs from Water from the Hood.

Gear: Liquid Force, Dakine, and Best -- Kites, boards, harnesses and swag!

This clinic will fill up quick, so register now! Just register online at Active.com.

Just added!! Windance is throwing a party for the girls! 7-10pm Saturday night 8/29! Well, I guess others are invited too. Where is Windance? It's in Hood River, right next to Tum-a-Lum Lumber and Lampoei's Thai. 108 Highway 35. For more info, email tonia@CascadeKiteboarding.com!

Beginning Mat Classes:

Instructor: Tonia Farman. Classes take place at 1020 Sherman Street in Hood River.  To book, email Patricia Railton: wprailton@embarqmail.com

Series 1: Tuesdays & Thursdays at Noon
Jan. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 2
Starts: January 6th

Series 2: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 am
Feb. 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, March 2, 4
Starts: February 9th

Series 3: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:40pm-6:40p
March 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, April 2, 7
Starts: March 12th

Tower Pilates Class: Mondays, 8:15am

Instructor: Tonia Farman. Tower classes take place at Flow Yoga Hood River.  Call 541-386-YOGA to sign up.

What is a "Tower" class?
Here the student performs mat exercises along with exercises utilizing the "tower".   The "tower", originally designed to fit inside of a doorframe, is bolted both to the wall as well as to the floor, and houses numerous springs and bars.   This workout utilizes the spring tension to both aid and challenge the student as he/she strengthens his/her powerhouse. Often one of the most popular pilates classes!

What is Pilates and why should you take it?

Pilates emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement. What is core strength? It is the balanced development of the deep and superficial muscles that stabilize, align, and move the trunk of the body, especially the abdominals and muscles of the back. These are specifically the muscles that we exert about 75% of our strength for kiteboarding.

I added Pilates to my athletic repetoire because of the results that I got from it. It increased my core strength so much that I can now execute every board grab in the book, except for two where I'm limited by arm length. It not only changed my athletic performance, it changed how I sit, stand, walk, and go about my day. In actuality, I could say that Pilates changed my life!

What are the benefits of Pilates?

longer, leaner muscles (less bulk, more freedom of movement)
improves postural problems
increases core strength, stability and peripheral mobility
helps prevent injury
enhances functional fitness, ease of movement
balances strength & flexibility
heightens body awareness
no-impact, easy on the joints
can be customized to suit everyone from rehab patients to elite athletes
complements other methods of exercise
improves performance in sports (golf, skiing, skating etc.)
improves balance, coordination & circulation

Which Pilates Method do you teach?

I have trained through, and teach, the Stott Pilates Method. This method incorporates modern exercise principles, including contemporary thinking about spinal rehabilitation and athletic performance enhancement. It has been refined by a team of physical therapists, sports medicine and fitness professionals as one of the safest and effective Pilates methods available.