by MikE mAy » Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:24 am
here are my $.02.
definintely take a lesson. they will jump start your long learning process. i flew a trainer for about 7 months as well and then took a lesson in maui last spring about this time. the trainer skills will definitely boost your learning curve. one thing my instructor told me when i set up the lesson was to go practice flying your trainer one handed and practice power moves to start. i even went so far as tying a chicken loop on my bar and practicing flying it hooked into my harness. it still took me all summer to learn to kite on water and still really didn't "get it" until my time on snow this winter. lessons will drill some important safety backups and procedures that will come in handy when things feel like they are hitting the fan. also along these lines, hook up with a local and most of us are willing to show you how to do things. i'm still learning everything myself, but get some good local how-to advice on set up and riding and all that. these guys have helped me out a bunch and are all very friendly. i think we have a world class group of core locals here.
secondly, les is a great resourse from what i've heard. powder mountian is a great place to learn and moreover if you have any snow sports background, it is for sure advantageous to take a lesson on snow. my kiting skills have doubled if not tripled since i've been riding on the snow. things are so much easier when you dont' have to worry about treading water or planing and going upwind as you are starting to ride. if i could do it all over again i would have started on snow and moved to water.
go get em! hope to see you out there.