Review summary
John stands out as an exceptional instructor who's mastered the art of teaching kiteboarding, wingfoiling, and efoiling through his innovative boat-based approach. Students consistently praise how this method accelerates learning, with real-time feedback delivered through helmet radios that makes corrections immediate and effective. His patience, professionalism, and ability to tailor instruction to individual skill levels come up repeatedly. The boat also means chasing wind conditions and avoiding downtime, plus he captures great photos and videos of your session. The overwhelming majority of students describe significant progress in single sessions and genuinely enjoy spending time with him. One serious safety concern does appear in the reviews involving an experienced kiter who felt abandoned during a gear rental situation, which stands in stark contrast to the consistent praise from lesson students about his attentiveness and care. For those booking actual lessons, the feedback suggests a top-tier learning experience with an instructor who knows how to get beginners comfortable and progressing quickly, particularly in the challenging San Francisco Bay conditions.
What people are saying
John at KiteTheBay is a true professional with a unique way to teach you how to kitesurf. He very quickly understands your skill level and meets you where you are at. The class feels like you are talking to a friend. It may be a bit more than some traditional classes but the combination of learning how to kitesurf, his professionalism in answering all your questions and being on a boat you get a lot of value with John. I absolutely recommend this experience. Thank you John. I really enjoyed hanging out :)
Adrian Childers
May 12, 2026