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Katie Noblett - So. California

Katie has been kiting for over 15 years and taught in Long Beach, CA., and Punta Chame, Panama before deciding she belonged in the Gorge. She started teaching at Cascade in 2014, and quickly also took on the role of scheduling/admin. In early 2021 Katie took ownership of Cascade, and she is thrilled to carry on the legacy that Tonia created!

Though she doesn’t teach anymore, you will likely see her at the school, or chat with her on the phone if you give us a call! When she’s not running Cascade or kiting, you can find her somewhere in the mountains or baking delicious treats in the kitchen.

Cascade Kiteboarding and Winging co-owner Ty is seen smiling with his surfboard after a session.

Ty Graves - Leggett, CA

Ty is the other half of Cascade, and he is the go-to guy to get things done! He started his kiteboarding journey in Hatteras, NC, and it was there that he actually became Katie’s instructor many many years ago before eventually becoming her husband. Yes, you heard that correctly!

Though he does not teach much anymore, you can find Ty at the school most days helping to ensure everything is running smoothly. When he is not working, you can find him shredding on his strapless surfboard in the river swell, biking in Post Canyon, or doing anything active!

Haley Davis — Tahoe, CA

Haley is our admin extraordinaire! You will likely chat with her if you give us a call, shoot us an email, or stop by the school.

She grew up shredding the hills in Tahoe and was on skis before she could even walk. She spent years as a ski coach, and is now getting more into watersports so that she can have a year-round shred-fest! When she’s not answering your kiting/winging questions, you can find Haley cooking up something delicious in the kitchen, enjoying a little wine tasting, or exploring our awesome backyard that is the Gorge!

This image depicts Cascade Kiteboarding and Winging instructor Nadja smiling close up to the camera.

Nadja Bianchet - Austria

A natural teacher, Nadja was in the Alpine in Austria teaching snowboarding and skiing at the age of 15. During the summers she was on the water everyday wakeboarding until 2009 when she learned to kite. Then Nadja was on the water everyday either teaching kiting or kiting or both!

Nadja has several fitness and health certifications, which equips her well to teach individuals concerned with minor injuries, health concerns or back issues. In case the wind doesn’t blow you’ll most likely find her tumbling upside-down on a pole or silk. Her tumbling skills translate well to the water as well.

Mike Haase - Tampa, Florida

Mike is one of Cascade’s newest team members, and we are stoked to have him! He has 20+ years of kiting experience, and a majority of that time was spent kitesurfing the waves of Tampa, FL, Mexico, and Maui.

After receiving a degree in Civil Engineering, he moved to the Gorge to pursue his passion for strong winds and exploring the great outdoors. He now spends his summers teaching kiting, and during the winter you can find him teaching snowboarding up on Mt Hood. There is rarely a day that goes by that Mike is not teaching or shredding somewhere in the Pacific Northwest!

Cascade Kiteboarding and winging instructor Molly is posing for the camera in her Ion wetsuit prior to a kiting or winging session.

Molly Kissinger
Hood River, OR / La Ventana B.C.S.

Molly started teaching kiting in Baja way back when in 2010, when her three children were wee little ones. Having spent more than 20 years living an “endless summer” splitting time between Hood River and La Ventana, she is your Baja-Gorge kite connection!

She is a passionate and professional year round IKO certified kite instructor, and she also has 30 years of experience teaching yoga and group fitness and wellness classes. She is currently super enthusiastic about mastering a new sport: wing foiling! When she’s not on the water you can find Molly with her family, enjoying friends, playing ping pong, walking, or riding her bike!

Cascade Kiteboarding instructor Shea poses like superman in the wind after a kiteboarding session in Hood River.

Shea Hall - Hood River, OR

Shea was born and raised in the gorge, and now splits his time between Hood River and Bozeman, Montana. When not studying at MSU he can be found on some kind of adventure, whether it’s camping, kiting, mountain biking, or skiing, you get the point!

Shea spends a lot of time on the water between paddle boarding, swimming, kiting and boating. He is calm and patient, likes to work hard and play harder, and is always up for a good time!

Cascade Kiteboarding instructor Mel looking cool doing a kiting trick known as the Jesus Walk.

Meliz “Mel” Sousa - Massachusetts

Mel was born in Brazil and moved to the US when he was 10. When he was 23, he took his first kite lesson and the rest was history. Shortly after, he quit his job at a hospital and started teaching kiting in the summers and working park crew for ski resorts in the winters. Before joining Cascade, Mel taught in Aruba and back home in Massachusetts.

Mel is happiest when either participating in or talking about board sports, kiting, snowboarding, surfing, and most recently, skateboarding.

Kathy Kaimaktchiev - Hood River, OR

Kathy grew up with the Gorge as her backyard. She learned to kite at the age of 12, and hasn’t looked back since. She spends her summers in the Gorge teaching kiting and winging, and the rest of the year she can be found in California studying at Berkeley.

When she’s not on the water, you can find Kathy skiing, surfing, camping, or mountain biking. Basically doing anything and everything outdoors! She is looking forward to sharing her love of the water and wind with everyone who wants to learn this summer.

Wyatt Duce — Hood River, OR

Wyatt was born and raised in the Gorge, and has been kiting for close to 10 years. He now spends his summers teaching for Cascade, and heads south to La Ventana, BCS during the winter months where he also teaches kiting.

When he is not kiting, you can still find him out on the water pursuing his other long-time passion of fishing, which he has been doing since he was 5 years old. The only time Wyatt really leaves the water is to eat and sleep!

Cascade Kiteboarding instructor Payton poses on a hill in front of the Columbia River Gorge.

Payton Bunch - Hood River, OR

Payton is all about stoke! Born and raised in Hood River, she grew up with an affinity for the outdoors. Introduced to kiting at a young age, Payton joined World Class Kiteboard Academy and spent her sophomore year of highschool studying and kiting around the globe.

Currently, Payton is living in Hood River, and she splits her time working at Cascade and Pure Stoke, where she sells wind, water and snow gear. During the off season you can find her on the mountain exploring the backcountry, riding the slopes, or racing on her nordic skis. Payton enjoys people and loves sharing her knowledge and passion for kiteboarding.

Jake Noblett - So. California

Jake has been kiting for 15 years and still brings the stoke with him during each session. Like his big sis, Jake spent years teaching in Long Beach, CA before deciding Hood River was the place to be.

When he is not teaching, you can find him shredding on a surfboard in the riverswell, hitting up the kite park, or fishing on a SUP board right in Nichols Basin! You can also find him working at Gorge Greenery, where he brings just as much stoke. Yew!

Bo Graves — Leggett, CA

Bo is a wind-sport enthusiast who embarked on his kiting journey alongside his siblings in Hatteras, NC in 2009. Over the years, he has honed both his kiteboarding and more recently wing foiling skills in the Dominican Republic and the Phillipines. He currently resides in the windy paradise that is the Gorge, where he spreads his love of watersports by teaching newcomers how to kite or wing.

Bo’s dedication, combined with his patient and friendly demeanor make him an ideal instructor for beginner and intermediate kiters and wingers of all ages seeking to further their progression. When he’s not on the water, you can find Bo hiking or mountain biking throughout the Gorge, or cooking up something delicious in the kitchen.

Sensi Graves — Leggett, CA

Sensi is a professional kiteboarder and wing foiler, entrepreneur, coach, and inspirational speaker. In 2012, after losing one too many string bikinis in the surf, Sensi founded Sensi Graves Swim, a swimwear line that actually stays on in rough conditions. Sensi also travels around the world hosting women’s kiteboarding retreats that emphasize community and empowerment. 

She has been competing in kiteboarding for over a decade and has been an instructor for 15+ years. Most recently addicted to wing foiling, Sensi is passionate about helping people feel confident on and off the water.

Cascade Kiteboarding instructor Luke is seen jumping mid-air with his kite

Luke Gandy - Texas

Luke is a goofy, lighthearted southern boy who loves to go out on a sweet sweet dance with his foil. Well, this pic is him just dancing with his kite. Great with kids and beginners, Luke’s patience and encouraging instruction will get you riding.

Founder and former owner of Cascade Kiteboarding Tonia is seen posing with her kitesurf board smiling.

Tonia Farman - Washington St.

Tonia started Cascade Kiteboarding in 2007 after conducting kite nights for girls around the Gorge to get her girlfriends to kite. Once certified, she bought a jet ski to teach with and the rest is history. In Spring 2021, Tonia sold the business to staff instructor and admin manager Katie Noblett and her husband Ty Graves to carry on the Cascade commitment to safety and fun for years to come!

Please note that selecting an instructor when booking a lesson via our website does not guarantee you will be with that instructor. If you would like to request a specific instructor you can do so by calling us or sending a follow up email. Thanks!