Kiting SF Bay

So i've learned the basics of kiting over the past ~2 years on land and then a few days on water in Hood River last summer. I've been up on the water, but not quite to the point where i'd feel comfortable going it solo.

Want to take the final step an buy a set up this summer, but I feel like I need a few more hours with someone's help before i'm ready to progress on the water by myself. My buddy who taught me in hood river is, well, in hood river... any ideas for people to hit up? Trying to avoid dropping $500 on a lesson that I probably only need a portion of...

Check out coyote point south of SFO ,I had some lessons there years ago , it's a easy set up for beginners, consistent winds,
Instruction , if you buy gear through the shop you've done lessons through they generally give discount, although as a beginner, I would not dump a bunch of money on new
Gear, in the bay area there are so many kiters that sell off their
Quivers every year that there are good deals to be found.
Check out ikite.com classifieds.

Thanks for the beta.

Do you surf?

There is always a crowd at Waddell on a windy afternoon, and plenty of folks talking shop. Even if you don't his the waves, it could be worth coming down to check things out and talk with a few who do. Or plan a trip down when the surf is flat.

Should be windy for quite a while this spring/summer with the cold water off the coast and the land about to warm up.

I'm an intermediate rider (50 hours flight time maybe).
All I have right now is an 8m hq neo2. Closed cell parafoil.
I'm too much of a puss to ride at washoe so its been boca and pyramid.
I'm taking my rig up to shasta in a couple weeks for their 3 hgours of good wind a day.
SF bay and especially around the GG are in my plans once my flying skills mature.

anyone interested in an 8 meter Cabrinha switchblade kite, just sent it to the sail repair loft
for a panel tear, I'm buying a new replacement and am selling the repaired kite.. good deal for someone new to the sport.

Check and see if Sports Basement offers any classes or sponsors a kiting group. I'm not sure if they sell kiting gear but they host and sponsor a lot of group events for cycling, skiing, and other expensive sports that white people love. I'd imagine there's info on the SFBA.org website, too.

As for gear, there's always a grip of stuff available at ReMatch Sports in Russian Hill.