South Padre Island Kiteboarding Crew
South Padre Island Kiteboarding Lessons are taught the by most experienced team on the island. Our certified instructors are all seasoned professionals with years of combined expertise and knowledge from diverse backgrounds. We all love to kiteboard and WE LOVE TEXAS!
Wyatt Cohen is a PASA Certified instructor and avid Kitesurfer. He lives in The Gorge most of the year with his wife and 2 little girls but enjoys the spring and fall seasons on South Padre Island. He first started coaching soccer when he was in college as a player. Wyatt found a passion for helping others to succeed in the outdoors thus becoming a Licensed Soccer Coach, Backpacking guide in the Carolinas, AWA kayaking instructor, backcountry guide in Rocky Mtn National Park, PASA certified Kiteboarding instructor. Wyatt teaches with a focus on safety, this allows his students to learn the basics and have fun!
Lisa Tedford is a gorge grown, activity driven young woman who has molded her life around following fun activities. Since graduating from the University of Oregon in 2008, she has lived in Hood River, OR during the summer month's kiteboarding and in Park City, UT during the winters, as a "ski-bum". Her passion for kiteboarding has propelled her into instructing, where she is driven by the ability to help others develop the same love for such an awesome sport! 
Kenny
Minnotte is a certified PASA Kiteboard instructor and a seaworthy
CAPTAIN. Kenny is able to give kiteboarding lessons in English and Spanish.
He has been kiteboarding on South Padre Island since 2000. He is an
avid kiter, skier and snowboarder. Formerly, Kenny was a certified PSIA
Adaptive ski instructor and 'equipment czar' at Challenge Aspen in Snowmass,
Co. As a Registered Professional Engineer he understands the technical
aspects of kiteboarding. Interacting with students as they are learning
the joys of the sport is what he likes best about teaching kiteboarding
lessons at South Padre Island Kiteboarding.
Jason Norwood is The Texan with a Hawaiian Heart. He has been an IKO Kiteboarding Coach since 2007. After getting certified with David Dorn in Maui, Jason returned to his home and started teaching with SPI Kite. Jason has followed the wind and also instructed in Hood River and La Ventana under the tutelage of kiteboarding guru, Jim Bison. Jason prides himself on teaching his students the key fundamentals of kite and board control, in order for maximum efficiency, as well as safety and independence from day one. Kiteboarder since 2002, Jason specializes in advanced freestyle lessons, racing and strapless kitesurfing.
Kevin Dobson is a Utah transplant and was first
introduced to kiting via the snow. After several seasons of snowkiting
the allure of year round kiting and warm weather brought him to South
Padre Island. Kevin spent 5 years mountain bike and white water river
guiding and loved sharing his knowledge and experience of the outdoors
with others. Now as a certified PASA instructor he is helping future
kiters find their way with the wind!
Raul Rodriguez spends his summers in Glenwood Springs,
CO enjoying whitewater rafting and teaching both rafting and kayaking
through Colorado Mountain College. What he looks forward to when teaching
kiteboarding is the big smiles of his students, which brings him back
to the days when he was a beginner. Raul uses his skills as an instructor
to adapt to the student, and teaches by breaking the procedures of
the sport into simple steps to show and demonstrate the skills involved
in kiteboarding. Originally from Mexico City, Raul can teach in English
or Spanish.
Rex Miller is an awesome kiteboarder and an excellent
instructor. Rex is a Former World Champion Hang Glider and a pilot.
He will always tech out with you on the aerodynamics of kiteboarding
and other technical aspects of the sport. Rex is a PASA certified
instructor and has taught hundreds of people to kiteboard. Unfortunately
Rex isn't with us full time anymore, but you never know when he may
show up for an extended stay.
