If/When in the Bay Area looking for rental gear or lessons, this is THE outfit to hook up with. Found myself in SF last month and it was blowing stink, so my 14m was way too big. After wasting time with the store downtown, I hopped over the bridge to KGB. Jo (the owner) hooked it up big time and gave me some priceless intel to boot. Thank you!!! While I didn't take lessons, the jet ski set up in their backyard looked legit, with a bunch of flat water. I ended up ripping an 8m under the Golden Gate (Chrissy Field launch) per photo. read more

KGB Kiteboarding - Downtown SF in the background, Golden Gate behind me, 8m was in great condition, overall gear performed well! - Kiteboarding Near Me - Emeryville, California

I've been talking about taking kiteboarding lessons for years and finally made it happen. Jo and Peter made my experience one I will never forget and helped me begin a new hobby I will continue. They provided me with all the equipment necessary, keeping me warm, comfortable and safe. The learning curve from barely knowing how to fly a kite to cruising on the water with it high above, happens fast. The Bay Area is an amazing place to be on the water and kite surfing is a way to do it. KGB Kiteboarding is where you should go to learn your new sport. read more

Took a group of 4, level 1 and 2 class with royce. he is very thorough and made sure everyone had at least 1-2 tries on all the techniques taught. It almost seem like it was standard procedure because the class follows iko specs. This is a good thing. Special thanks to Royce for being so patient with all of us! This sport takes practice and his professionalism is very much needed in these types of classes. He even offered to help us screen craigslist ads for us if we find some deals on kites. read more

Overall a great, quick way to get in to kiting! I took lessons from Jason and Kylie, both fantastic coaches. After 5 lessons I went from no experience to comfortably launching on the beach--a great foothold into the sport from which I'll be able to keep practicing on my own. As with all sailing-like sports, wind and equipment failure can cause problems--while we just had one unlucky calm day, KGB was very professional about handling it and rescheduled as soon as they could. If you're new to sailing, just remember that this stuff happens and is something you'll have to work around too. Overall very happy with KGB, I'd recommend them to anyone looking to get in to kiteboarding. read more

Great team, good equipment, super flexible good instruction and great fun! I could distinct progress across my 3 lessons, staggering them a few days apart really helped! read more

These guys are the best! Great 1 on 1 coaching, catering to the needs of the student. My lesson was with Brad- Brad is great! Even on a day with low wind he took me out on the Waverunner and found us a great wind pocket to work with! I highly recommend KGB. read more

Slightly Disappointed. Myself and 5 friends purchased a $30 living social online coupon for 1/2 off their 1 hour land-based intro class (normally $60). To sum it up, we flew a kite for 15 minutes a person, on grass. I won't cut my words short here, but we all thought (and should have called to ask), that we be standing on kiteboard on land, learning the ins and outs of safety and how to maneuver, and then after an hour, be able to rent equipment and go in the water, if the winds permitted. We did none of that. The instructor, though very friendly and nice, taught us about wind directions and how to hold the kite and maneuver it left and right. That's it. No lesson on stopping, speed, getting into the water, getting the kite up solo, emergency situations, etc. I was very disappointed. At the very least, let us stand on the board on grass to get a feel for it. I've done wakeboarding (learned in 10 mins), parasailing, jet skiing, skydiving, bungee, snowboarding, cliff diving, snorkeling, scuba, etc. So this one was the worst of the bunch, as we didn't get to kiteboard or even simulate it. We played with a kite. Skip it unless you can get the real deal $360 'get in the water and actually kiteboard' package for cheaper / guaranteed. read more

I had a pretty negative experience overall mostly by the people working there but I am giving 2.5 stars because the lesson itself was good and I learned quite a bit. This was my first time learning about kiteboarding and taking a class ever. You shouldn't go into this class without some preparation. They want you to watch a video at home and to also read everything on their website because I had no idea I would not step foot into the water. If I had known this, I don't think I would have bought that living social voucher because that means I have to pay for more lessons to get into the water and this is already getting pricey as it is... I understand you shouldn't go in the water on your first lesson but knowing this beforehand would have affected my buying decision. Great, some disappointment there! I don't think it's the first time it's happened to them where a customer is disappointed either because I had to talk to the instructor and royce about this and they just acted unsympathetic and rushed me along to start the lesson and be done with it. I get a call from Royce they're running late and I myself was running late because I got a traffic ticket on the way there. When I get there and tell them about my bad luck, I felt like they kept throwing that in my face. They repeated this to me over and over how we started late and this eats into your lesson time. Thanks for the compassion guys lol. I don't mind that it takes up my lesson time, I expected it. Don't you think I feel bad enough as it is? Rubbing salt into my wound. Additionally, my friend was supposed to come but he called me a hour earlier saying he was throwing up and could not make it. I tell them this and even though it was my friend who bailed, they make me feel like the bad guy and kept repeating it to me how it was rude he cancelled without calling. They require 24 hour notice. He is losing his voucher and it's a 50% reschedule fee. My instructor even compared this kiteboarding appointment to a doctors appointment.. I wasn't even mad at my friend because hey, people get sick last minute and it happens. But again, no compassion from KGB on this. My friend knew this might happen and he was ok with it but why did I have to be the one hearing all their complaints about it? I didn't do it. The only fun part was flying the kite because it requires a lot of skill in knowing how to compensate for the kites movements so it doesn't fall down. The kite is really powerful and if you're not careful, can really drag you far away and you could get injured. This is less likely to happen on land with the instructor close by during the lesson but in water by yourself, watch out. I learned how to setup the kite, the safety features, how to get the kite up and down and to move it, how to stand up with the kite and get power with the kite. Learned some terms as well, the instructors are very knowledgeable. I didn't get to practice on any board or anything but I didn't mind. My instructor told me this sport is actually cheaper than other sports because wind is free although the equipment is $2000. One hour class is $100, two hours is $190, etc so on. These prices are after the living social voucher. They want you to do about 5-6 hours before you get into the water. Make the decision for yourself. Both my instructor and I also got stung by bees on our feet in that grassy field we were practicing in. First time in my life for me and I'm glad I found out I'm not allergic lol. It stung for like 10 min and went away. Be careful if you are allergic, they like to fly low to the grass for some reason so I never saw them. Most of the time you are looking up at the kite, getting mild neck cramps lol. So, don't expect a carefree fun lesson. It's super serious and a dangerous sport you should prepare yourself first. Additionally, the people there are very strict about class appointment policies. read more

tremely disorganized and terrible customer service. Got the 6-hour beginner package for 3 of us. 3 hours on a Saturday and 3 hours on a Sunday. The hour scheduled on the phone was changed the night before via email is the first blow and proof of disorganization. Day 1: We arrive no one is there. Some guy comes around class time and says the instructor is at Caesar Chavez Park and to meet him there. The class starts 30 min late bc of this but ends at the scheduled time. On the flip side the instructor was really nice. Day 2: I call to verify the class time. Got the response that one of the jet-skis were broken so we might likely be cancelled and that she would call me back in an hour. 2 hours not a word, so I call back and find that indeed the jet-ski was broken and it wouldn't happen today. Then I get a bunch of crap about how all 3 of us cannot get on the water next week and that she will try to reschedule other customers to see if possible and call me back. I really wonder how they will try to make up for it. I'll update the review accordingly. But with my experience so far, I strongly recommend to pick an alternative school for people looking to learn kiteboarding read more

I had signed up for a 10 hour lesson and each scheduling was smooth and easy and Royce was very accommodating and easy to reach. I originally had a 2 hour land lesson with Naomi and the skills I gained weren't enough for me on my next 2 hour water lesson, and I had to have another 2 hour land lesson to gain finer kite control skills. I think this could have been avoided, may be with better instructions or a 3 hour land lesson. The experience you have with lessons depend heavily on the instructor, and some instructors are very meticulous, instruct you throughout and make sure you get it right and perfect like Ayub and Ray. My last 2 sessions totalling about 4 hours were spent on water with Ando, and I really did not seem to be improving much. I don't think I was at a stage where I could start kite surfing by myself, but I did not receive much feedback or critique on my technique while during my last 2 sessions. read more

The owner is INTENSE...i don't think most of his employees like him and I get why. He totally busts everyone's b*lls including his students. However, as a result, students stay focused and he has hired some great teachers at his school. I loved my lessons and want to get better at kiteboarding. Expect delays and potential rescheduling due to mother nature's lack of wind. Overall, if you can't handle a stern instructor, don't go here since the owner could be your teacher. But if you can, its great. read more

My first lesson was great. If I was rating after that only, it would be 4 or 5 stars. Peter was a great instructor. However, things went downhill from there. Royce double-booked me for my second lesson, the first that is supposed to be on the water. I was left with an entire weekend day wasted as I was there for over an hour, and had gotten all geared up, before finding out they had screwed up. They assumed I screwed up until I showed the confirmation email that they had. Royce did apologize, but was not very genuine, and gave me money for a toll and a pretty lame kiteboarding book to make up for it. Even worse that the day had perfect conditions that I missed! I rescheduled a few times that were cancelled due to no wind and thankfully they contacted me a couple hours before as not to waste a trip. Finally on the 4th try I was set to go on the water. Only problem was is no teacher and no one manning the shop. Several phone calls later I got Royce and he again apologized, but the service was still poor. The instructor finally came in from the water and hour late as he had been out with a friend. Instead of rushing to get us out, Royce took the time to give his employee a talking too which just further wasted the good conditions! By the time we got out there was really only an hour of good wind so I didn't get to accomplish half of what I was supposed to. With the travel time involved on the jet ski, it was two hours gone from a three hour lesson and nothing really accomplished. I took my refund for the rest of the lesson and vowed to find a new place. I wish it had been better as I want to take a few more lessons and now have to find a new place! read more

I paid for a 6-hour lesson so I will break this up into two sections: 1. Ground instruction with Naomi- overall mediocre (3 stars). The worst thing about my lesson with Naomi was her poor attitude. Yes, it was a Monday morning, but it is not my job to be enthusiastic about teaching the sport-it's yours. Naomi was overall low in energy and far too impatient to be an instructor. I was in a group of three students and when any of us would make an error, Naomi would just shout the same thing over and over even though that method was not working as displayed by us repeating the same mistakes. 2. Water lesson with Scott (5 stars). Scott is a great instructor and I highly recommend him for private lessons. He is very upbeat and enthusiastic about the sport and he is eager to share his knowledge. We went out in the bay for a couple of hours and I had a blast. Even though I made many mistakes, Scott was patient, encouraging, and quick to point out what I was doing wrong and how to correct my technique. Thanks to Royce for setting it up! read more

Royce and his team are excellent at what they do. I have taken 2 separate lessons from him, and was consistently impressed by the quality of instruction. As a salesperson, I like to ask around and see if I got what I paid for, and as far as I can tell all (or those I encountered) of the KGB instructors are top-notch, as evidenced by the compliments paid of them by others who's lessons coincided with my own. If you have bought a Groupon, the one piece of advice I can give you is PLAN your lessons well in advance to coincide with good wind SEASONS! Yes, you are a noob, and, like me, probably had no idea there are Seasons during which wind is Awesome, and, conversely, when it's NOT. Royce was really patient with me, after I'd waited till the last minute to use my Groupon, of course during the waning days of the wind season. But I can honestly say I got my money's worth. Don't worry. Royce will be sure to send you email reminders, and will over-prepare you for what to expect out of the deal. And, second piece of advice - 1 lesson is not enough. If you're going, it's because you hopefully want to become good at this sport. So, like any sport, it requires 2 things - your own equipment, and TIME doing the sport. Treat the lessons as your opportunity to not learn the wrong way and fix it later, and go into it knowing that you may not, in fact, actually breeze across the waters after your 1st lesson. that's life. But believe me, the instructors are more-than-patient. Ok, 3rd piece of advice...take their up-sell at the end of your 1st lesson. You won't regret it. They'll likely offer you the chance to buy more time, for a discount off normal prices of course. If you're a perfectionist like me, you may have spent more time on land (yes, there's a LAND portion to learning Kitesurfing), and you'll want to BUY the hand-holding time on the water. Plus, it'll get you out in the middle of the Bay on a jetski, where the real wind is. And That is where the magic happens - out in the windy channels, not on the shore. But you won't get there for free - you'll have to invest the most costly element of all - time. Have fun. read more

KGB is different from the other kite schools in the bay area. It is unique in that it is not just a pro shop that rents equipment and offers lessons at a particular kite beach, rather KGB is first and foremost an IKO kiting SCHOOL designed around offering lessons. I took my first lesson at the beginning of the summer and looking back we were lucky that instead of being limited to one beach, KGB is positioned to schedule a lesson at any one of their training sites (including the middle of the bay where it's always windy via jet ski!) to capture the best possible wind conditions. Me and my buddy took our first lesson in waste deep water with safe on-shore wind... It was great being able to stand up in the water while learning to control the kite. Then when we came back for our second lesson there was no wind at the beach, but we were able to have a successful try by chasing the wind on the jet ski. It would have been a huge bummer to reschedule and go another week without practicing! The owner Royce is amazing! The school is his baby and he takes a lot of pride in it. He gets stoked off his students success and has a "whatever it takes" attitude to make sure everyone has a positive experience. Granted, some people suck and expect perfect wind etc every day, but I have never seen anyone so caring and accommodative to ensure a good lesson and they will always take you to where the best possible wind is blowing. "Warning" to yelpers: Royce is a wheelin-n-dealing salesman (which can actually work in your favor if he offers you a deal) in a good way! Royce wants his students to have proper, quality equipment and he carries good stuff. Most people (myself included) think they can do kiteboarding "for less". This is just not the case. If you get a Groupon for some kite lessons and expect a set of gear for $1200 and a refund on your lesson because the wind wasn't perfect, then you sir, should not be kiteboarding! I have heard people complain that their cheap gear sucks and wasnt't worth it, but I have never heard anyone complain that they overpaid for new equipment and would have preferred to save money on old used kites. There you have it... KBG is in a bit of a strange place at the Emeryville Marina, but looking back it makes sense having all those launch sites to choose from nearby and I could not have asked for a better experience getting into the sport! I love stopping by to say hello and talking about kiting. They are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge, and I would not have spent so much time on this review if the school didn't mean a bunch to me! I'll see all you Yelpers at the next kite demo event coming up at the trailer! read more

KGB is fantastic. I started kiteboarding lessons with another company, but followed up with a jet ski assisted lesson at KGB. The first session was a comedy of errors with the major issue being lack of wind. My instructor, Sam, tried to find more wind on the bay. I am a sailor and know, for the most part, where the wind blows and we went to as many spots as we could looking for breeze. When it became apparent that the lesson was awash, he took me in and I was able to reschedule for my full two hours no questions asked. I had my second attempt today. Again, Sam was my super awesome instructor. The gear they use is not overworked or questionable- from harness to jet ski, and the helmet with the radio is highly effective. I was going upwind in no time and felt like I got great feedback in a positive, upbeat, and encouraging way. The shore crew of Austin and Royce were really cool and I felt super welcomed through the entire process from booking the lesson to hanging out after reviewing my strengths and areas on which to work. They have the perfect balance of professionalism and fun. Kiteboarding is awesome and I reluctantly say everyone should try it simply because I don't want to clog up the bay. Should you decide to give it a go, KGB is a great place to start. read more

I decided I needed to check out this sport after watching the guys out my office window here in Emeryville. First thing I learned is that the spot im watching is super-advanced....I thought those guys were pretty rippin. So on to the lesson, my instructor ray was great, very friendly, good at explaining concepts and equipment. We spent time getting familiar with kites, setting them up and then getting the kit in the air. I seemed to get it pretty quickly but the rest of my group did not, so we did not get in the water. But dont worry there is plenty to learn without getting wet. I don't think kiteboarding is for me due to the combination of gear costs and actual days i would be able to do it. i dont like being mediocre at sports. But man what a cool and fun to watch sport. Ray, Royce and the team at KGB bring the knowledge and the good vibe....check em' out! read more

One of the best kiteboarding schools in the bay area. Jo is phenomenal to work with and has sold me all my equipment! I've bought 2 kites, 1 bar, plus a board from them. Everything was amazing and she goes ABOVE AND BEYOND in everything. I plan to buy all my equipment from KGB and take more lessons when the season starts back up. YOu can take lessons from beginner to advance. I love the the jet ski assistance, it gives you significantly more time on the board. Jason was an amazing instructor, incredibly patient, informative, and encouraging. One thing I love is Radio helmets though, especially since im trying to do intermediate and more advance things. I've taken lessons from kite415, in Cabarete, PR, but KGB has been my best experience. The jet skis, wetsuits, booties, kites, harness, and etc are in phenomenal conditions. Ive been to so manyother schools where they're all smelly and falling apart. I highly encourage you to give them a try. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions read more

My friend Bruce and I took 3 hour private lessons here and it was phenomenal. Royce (the owner) was very helpful and timely in getting back to me to set up the lesson. Once we arrived the instructors were not only extremely knowledgeable but very patient and attentive teachers. By the end of the lesson I was riding in both directions, thanks guys (and girls). read more

I took the four-hour semi private class and it was by far the best kiteboarding class that I have taken. I have tried the ocean beach courses where they force you to fiddle too long with a trainer kite that is hard to translate easily into the real thing. i also tried a course in Hawaii where they offered little constructive criticism and the group was too large. Naomi was my instructor - she was extremely thorough and patient. She made sure to walk through every step - from set up, to flying, to mitigating risky situations, to take down - and ensure that all 4 people in our class understood. The wind was low so we were only able to do 3 hours, and not try anything in the water. Frankly, I preferred it that way, because there is a ton of info to digest before hitting the water. I signed up for a three-hour private course so that i can get my hands wet - literally - and cannot wait. My dogs were with me and the guy at the shop, Ando, was incredibly cool and offered to look after them while I was at class. If you want to learn how to kite-board the best way, you should definitely take a course at KGB!! read more

My friend Alberto and I took the full 7h kitesurfing course at KGB. and we buy our gear there. Royce is very knowledgeable and strives for quality, both in the teaching and in advising about gear. We found a high level of professionalism in all the instructors we had (thanks Tyler and Dan!!), and a strong emphasis on safety and on all the little things that can make a big difference - from maintaining your gear to recovering the kite in all situations. Also comparing with what we found online, we had great deals with our gear. Royce was very helpful and thorough in presenting all the different options and in helping us to choose the best equipment for your budget. Finally, KGB is not just buying lessons and gear! Every time we visit we learn more about kitesurfing, we get good advice and we meet fellow kitesurfers. Recommended!! read more

I'm up and riding both directions, stoked about kiting. I think that speaks volumes for the instruction and gear I got from KGB. As for lessons, I took the 6hr lesson package, done over two sessions; with both Taylor and Dan. Both were very skilled instructors, giving me the confidence I needed when going out on the choppy waters in the middle of the SF Bay.The lesson was tailored to my experience (having done a bit of snow kiting previously), but with care not to assume I knew too much and leave out important info. As for buying gear, I'm all set up head to toe with new gear for less than I could have found online (even after tax). Royce really hooked me up with a great deal. And now I've got a local dealer I can call with questions, which I think is going to be hugely valuable for a beginner like me. Beyond that, Royce helped me understand all the ins and outs of different styles of kites when considering my purchase, then make sure I knew the use and care for it when it arrived. I'd encourage you to check out KGB if you interested in kiteboarding, even if you've never flown trainer kite, and especially if you have some kite skills and you're amped up to get out on the water riding. Keep in mind your bound to have some hiccups due to wind conditions and the like, but then again you aren't exactly shopping for tennis lessons at the local country club either. Get a lesson. I was very happy with KGB and I'm guessing you will be too. read more

Just had a kiteboarding class with the KGB team on Saturday. François was our instructor and he did a great job. He showed a lot of patience as our group of 4 students had different ability levels, and he was very friendly. Also, François gave us personalized advice on how to get better, what the best next learning steps would be, and what kind of practice he recommends for each of us. I'm obviously still a beginner after my first class, but am looking forward taking more classes and learning more about this sport. It was a blast to be in the water and see how powerful & fun the wind can be! read more

The KGB crew is a great group of guys. I had lessons with Francois and Dan throughout my 6 hours of lessons. Due to wind conditions my lessons got split up into three 2hr sessions, but that gave me better time to research, read, and watch a few youtube videos to stay prepped. Royce was always available by email or phone and responded quickly. Both instructors were very patient and added a wealth of knowledge. I brought all my own equipment by the last session and Dan helped get me acquainted with the gear so I'd be familiar with it solo. I went solo the next day at 3rd Ave San Mateo well prepped on my gear and how to safely fly it. That was priceless. By the end of my 6hr session with KGB I was at least able to get up on the board (that came with a few superman face-plants, so be prepared). I would definitely recommend the KGB crew! read more

Pros: - All of the instructors are really nice and knowledgeable. - The price is especially good if you go with a buddy. - Good location, and they've got the jetski thing down, so that you can get to the good wind. Cons: - My lessons were canceled 3 times due to too little wind (my buddy's lessons were canceled 7+ times). This really isn't their fault, as that's part of the sport. But just don't be surprised if your lessons are canceled an hour prior. - For my first water lesson, there really wasn't enough wind. But I really wanted to go, and the instructors thought there might be enough to make it work so we went for it. As it turned out, there wasn't enough to even get the kite off the water, so we did a self rescue and took the long jetski ride back. - Although using the jetskis gets you to the good wind, it also kills about 1h of your lesson, between packing the kite, loading the jetski, riding out, and riding back. read more

I enjoyed this class very much. I had the Yelp deal for the Beginner class and gained the confidence I need to move to the next level. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. read more

My kiteboarding trainer Ando was great! I've made great progress while enjoying the process. I look forward to joining their Baja camp in Nov.! read more

Got in touch with Roy about a kite. Long story short, he listened to what I wanted, made various calls on my behalf to find the best price, and took care of everything. Pleasure dealing with then and hopefully in the future. Suport your local Kite-er Biz's read more

I went for KGB La Ventana , Mexico kiting camp few months ago , that was a amazing fun experience , great idea to lean kiteboarding , I love it :)) Joanna was a great host , She did a good job and made sure that everybody have a great time and progress on kiteboarding during the camp . We had more than 4 hours water lessons on every windy day !! After lessons , we enjoy relaxing happy hours @ beautiful sunset beach plus complimentary drinks & food , what a great deal of entire package from KGB !! learning, joy and friendship :) When I back to Bay Area , I continue having another 4 hours refresher lessens , After trip , I improve a lot on kite control and now I can get up to ride ... :)) The La Ventana kiting camp with KGB was a right decision and I am very happy about my learning experience with KGB :)) Thanks Joanna and KGB awesome instructors. !!!! Learn kiteboarding , Go KGB!!!! read more

Royce was kind enough to let me reschedule a session that I pulled out on last minute. +5 for Royce and KGB. My 4-hour session was with Dan who was great--and very authentic. Wind wasn't too great but Dan got me plenty excited to take on more lessons--of which I'll be doing! I recommend KGB to anyone wanting to learn kiteboarding. read more

Solid lessons, nice guys, good locations for both on land and in water training. Their "private" beach is pretty cool, I never knew that spot existed although I have probably passed it hundreds of times in my life. I bought a full kitesurf package from them, it was very competitively priced and they included 2 hrs of additional private lessons. When I met Royce a few weeks later for my private lesson he thought that the kite I bought was little too big for my weight/ability and immediately exchanged it for a smaller kite and credited me the difference even though I had used the kite. He seemed genuinely interested in my safety and happiness. I think there is a level of integrity here that you may not find at other shops. read more

I spent a week in Baja in a KGB kiteboarding "kite camp" and had an amazing time. Joanna was an outstanding host and kept our camp entertained through it all. We didn't really have to think or make tough decisions, we just had to enjoy our time, it was very smooth. We had a few days of lackluster wind which were filled with other water adventures. I had wanted to try flyboarding with a jetski for quite some time and I got to make that a reality on this trip! The instructors in Baja were top notch. The instructor I worked with had been kiting since the year 2000 and had a great attitude. Any time I was within earshot he was coaching me on things to do better. I was a total newbie when I started, and he was patient and thorough to get me up in riding. I look forward to continuing lessons in the bay area when the weather warms up. Hopefully 2018 will be the year of kiteboarding! read more

Great job man!!! Royce possesses incredible attention to detail and stresses the importance of safety at all phases. Great to talk with and share laughs, yet he is firm in his teaching style to ensure you get the safest learning experience while also praising you when you're kicking ass! Great learning spot too! Royce came highly recommended by some great friends who are experienced kiteboarders. They were off kiting during my lesson and came back in after some great sets noticing how fun, fast, and thorough his teaching style is...they said, "Damn, we shoulda learned from this guy in the beginning, probably woulda saved us a lot of headaches!" Thanks amigo! Will be back soon! read more

I've been there today for a 2-hour private class (I bought a Groupon voucher for this class). There wasn't much wind, but since I did had a short experience with kiteboarding, we focused on reviewing basic things, mainly for safety and kite control. My instructor was Dan, great guy. Very helpful, can give you plenty of information and details that I personally missed when attending to classes somewhere else. Once we were done, I already booked another private class so I would get further help with my ride technique. All in all I will rate it a 5 star experience, considering the class, professional level of the school, and the flexibility they have. Unfortunately, they are little bit of a drive away from the South Bay, but it definitely worth. read more

Royce took my initial call to schedule a kiteboarding lesson, after explaining my past training with kites, he suggested a 3 hour lesson starting with basics but advanceing in the class rapidly depending on my skills and safety! My instructor Dan did a great job working with me at my own pace but still keeping it safe and informative. The wind was not blowing by the beach they usually use so Dan decided to take us out to the bay to look for a location with better wind conditions. With Dans direction, I was able to get up on the board on my first time out on the water. This has been a great experience and I am looking forward to improve my skills with another lesson. Thanks KBG Team, read more

I took a lesson with Royce about a week and a half ago. I have taken lessons in Maui, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia. Royce was the best instructor I have ever had. His personal attention, and tips allowed me to quicly get to the goal at hand...to learn to ride upwind. I would HIGHLY recommend Royce and his team for any level of kiteboarding instruction. His tips made sense, were on point and were of tremendous help. I will take other lessons with Royce so I can write another review of how he taught me to do 20 foot jumps, backrolls and unhooked tricks. Thanks Royce!!!! read more

Royce takes on kiting with a fluent, fun and effective approach. To be honest I initially chose him for his competitive rates (and he actually returns calls promptly, unlike other Bay Area outfits), but returned for his comprehensive teaching style. I walked away from 4 hours of lessons with more knowledge and insight than all the previous instructors combined. Keep the stoke going! read more

Met and dealt with Royce today, could nt have been better, knows his stuff, hired me the right gear, pointed me in the right direction, great friendly service, thanks Royce, will be back Cheers Pete read more

This is the place to learn!! Royce runs a small, but effective Kiteboarding school that you can rest assured will get you up and riding as quickly and safely as possible at a beyond reasonable price. BIG PLUS: Royce answered all my calls immediately and was more than generous with lesson length + the guy is just about as cool as they come. I've been the past two weekends to the new Emeryville location for two Lesson 3 (2 hr. each) refreshers after my first 3 hr. lesson in Maui....have to say, these guys have it dialed-in!! I was up and confidently riding by the middle of the second lesson and learned more than I did at HST in Maui. No worries about bringing your own gear, and you jestski out of the marina for open space to fly. read more

I had taken a land lesson and put in my 10 hrs of kite practice, and wanted to learn body dragging plus maybe even get up on the board. I took a 3 hr lesson with Royce on a Saturday, followed by a jetski lesson with a big school near 3rd Ave the next day. The beach Royce took us to was a bit of a hike, but effectively private - we were the only ones there. PERFECT for learning. Warm, waist-deep water - the wetsuit wasn't really necessary. Winds were good too, side on-shore, with a depowered 12 being sufficient. Tiny waves, didn't even notice them. The helmet speaker worked fine, and Royce showed me practical kite launching/inflating/teardown skills. The jetski lesson was a completely different experience. After the gas can fumes hit you in the face, you hold on for dear life while the saltwater spray hits you in the face. After 10 minutes, you're dumped in the middle of the bay, with 3 foot swells in deep water, after they inflate the kite for you. The water's much colder, and it's harder to get a bead on the wind direction. I did get a successful waterstart and short ride in, but only after coughing/puking up large gulps of seawater. On the plus side, if you're tired, you can hang out on the jetski. The wind was about 25 kts and I was plenty powered on a 7. There's something to be said for learning in the conditions in which you ride, but man, kiteboarding has enough stuff to think about when learning, and adding to the list doesn't help. In short, went with Royce because he had the best rates, but would go back for the lesson quality and awesome environment in which to learn. I think I'm done with lessons for a bit, but I'll go back to Royce's beach to practice. read more