Kiteboarding is a Technical sport: Kiteboarding is a technical sport, you need to master the kite before you can get onto the board. “KITE-BOARDING” as the name suggests is actually 2 sports combined; Kite-Flying and Board-riding.
Step One – Kiteboarder Training
The Best way to start your new career as a kiteboarding Instructor is to take professional lessons from an IKO certified Kiteboarding Instructor. Being properly trained as an IKO kiteboarder will ensure that you are using the correct technique and following the safest methods. Your IKO instructor will certify you in all of the stages, give you an IKO Kiteboarder Certification Card, and register you in the IKO kiteboarder database. There are IKO schools and Instructors worldwide. If you did not learn with an IKO instructor, you can still do a “Kiteboarder Skills Assessment Test” with any IKO certified Instructor, to check your riding ability, and safety knowledge, and theory level. Your IKO instructor can fill in any gaps in your knowledge and ensure that you are prepared to go forward in the training.
Step Two – Instructor Training
After you have successfully completed your kiteboarder training, and have consolidated your experience by riding at Level 3N for at least 6 months. You are then eligible to attend the IKO Assistant Instructor Course. Check the calendar for a course near you or tell your local provider you are interested in a course, so that they can group candidates together and start a course (AITC courses usually have a minimum of 3 candidates to run a course). Register to join one of our ITC Instructor Training Courses. Kiteboarding Instruction training gives you a certification that is recognized worldwide, and give you many career opportunities. Certified Kiteboarding Instructors are in High Demand, and can work in many of the world’s best destinations. The IKO instructor training Courses include the; AITC, ITC, Level2, and Level2 Senior, and various Coaching Courses.
Step Three – Trainer Training
Senior Instructors who have gained experience with teaching and logged their teaching hours can move onto the third step, to become a trainer. A kiteboarding trainer is responsible for training the next generation of kiteboarding Instructors. This is a very important responsibility as the training will affect the safety of all of the trainees, and their students as well. Dedicated and qualified instructors can apply to begin the trainer training, and must first be selected by the training committee, based on individual merit, experience and qualifications. The trainer training path includes the; Coach trainer, Assistant Examiner, Examiner, and Training Master levels.
Instructor Course Booking Procedure |
| ITC Booking Procedures: Each ITC course is a special event. To see when courses are available you can check the IKO training calendar, or check the schedule of the individual IKO training center. Each ITC Course requires extensive preparation and organization. ITC courses are scheduled months in advance. The lead in time is used to prepare the course and the candidates. Many candidates will travel internationally or long distances to attend our courses, so their travel arrangements and schedules need to be set in advance. |
| Enrollment: To enroll in the course you should fill out the Application Form, and/or contact the organizer with your details email, phone number and dates. The organizer will send you the course requirements and information via email, or send you the links to the website info. The candidates should read the information thoroughly, and familiarize themselves with the details. Each candidate must meet the course’s *prerequisites before the commencement of the course. |
| Deposit: Candidates must pay their deposit before the course to make a reservation. Then pay the balance of the pre-course payment to make their confirmation into the course. Deposits are non-refundable unless the course is cancelled by the organizer. |
| Maximum number: There are a maximum number of candidates allowed for each course. If the course is overbooked, the organizer may create a standby list in case of any cancellations. If you are on the standby list for the course you should also have the pre-requisites, and the deposit paid. |
| Cancellation: ITC Courses need a minimum of 4-6 candidates to be run. If there are not enough candidates to run the course before the cut off date, the course will be cancelled. |
| Cut-off date: The cut off date for enrollment is usually 30 days before the course. Do not expect that last minute enrollments will be accepted. However this is up to the organizer. |
| Confirmation: Confirmation in the course is usually 30 days prior to the course. Then the organizer has the minimum number of paid qualified candidates. The second payment is required at the time of confirmation (usually 50% the course fee). |
| Travel to the Course: When booking travel arrangements you should be sure that your course has been confirmed at the cut-off date. If you need to make travel arrangements more than 30 days in advance of the course you should be sure that your tickets are refundable of transferable. Please note that many cheap tickets are not transferable and you could lose you money if you do not travel on your exact dates. Travel insurance may help in the event of cancellations or medical problems. |
| Thanks,
ITC Organizer. |
| Return to the Instructor Course Information Pages |
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IKO Kiteboarding Organization |
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The International Kiteboarding Organization (I.K.O.) is the world’s largest kiteboarding community, with a worldwide organization of kiteboarding schools, instructors, and kiteboarders. The IKO provides support for Instructors, Students and kiteboarding communities. The IKO Kiteboarding programs are designed to help you learn in a safe way while your IKO Instructor respects your rhythm and takes you through all the steps so you can reach your goals. The IKO Certification standards and training are recognized in over 40 countries worldwide. There is a worldwide network of affiliated schools and instructors. Each one has made a commitment to quality and safety. Every IKO School and Instructor became certified through hard work, dedication, training courses, qualification criteria and safety standards. You can recognize IKO Schools and instructors and products from their distinctive logos and trademarks. IKO schools, only use Current IKO Certified Instructors, and teach according to the safety standards. IKO Schools display certificates, flags, and issue IKO Kiteboarder Cards to every student. Only schools that meet the high standards can become IKO Affiliated Kiteboarding Schools. |
 SCHOOLS: Learning how to kiteboard in an IKO Affiliated Center assures safe and fast learning using quality tested methods that maneuver you safely off the beach and into the water! IKO affiliated centers have specific liability insurance coverage and you also can subscribe to the Kiteboarder’s insurance in your center of choice, or click here for more information. |
| INSTRUCTORS: Instructors are competent kiteboarders who have undergone Instructor Training Courses and learned the IKO teaching methodology. Kiteboard instructor training is intense, and includes communication, safety, lesson planning, rescues, and people skills. An IKO Instructor also commits to undergo ongoing training to stay current. There are different levels of instructor from Assistant, Level 1, Level, 2, Level 2 Senior, etc. |
| STUDENTS: Students learn using the latest proven teaching techniques. the Student progresses through the IKO learning levels from Discovery, Intermediate until they “graduate” as Independent level kiteboarders. Students receive a structured lesson plan, that is easy to follow and can be tailored to the individual. Students can switch between instructors and schools with the standardized teaching system. |
| MEMBERS: Students can become an IKO member and get access to the IKO community website, news, maybe win a kite, get discounts on gear, and automatically receive one year’s kite rider liability/injury insurance for all your kiting activities. Membership is open to all kiteboarding students with their IKO kiteboarder Cert Card. |
| LEVELS: Listed below are the IKO Kiteboarder levels. These are a series of skills and tasks in the ideal sequence. The Skills chart allows students to gauge their progress and plan their training. They also help identify a student’s skill level, when transferring between schools, or when proving their level of competency. Every IKO Instructor gives the student a level at the end of every session. Every Student should receive their level listed on their Kiteboarder Card at the end of their training. The Skill Chart is also available on the IKO’s website, and in the IKO kiteboarder handbook, and Workbooks. |
| EDUCATION: IKO has an online education system that offers many courses to improve your knowledge in kiteboarding. Some courses are free to IKO members, and some courses can be taken for a fee. There are two Online education areas, one for the kiteboarding members, and one for the Pro-members (instructors). All levels of kiteboarder are encouraged to improve their knowledge, and continue their learning with the IKO’s Kiteboarder Online Education system. |
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10 Tips For kiting at Kitebeach Maui
Aloha and Welcome to Kite Beach Maui, This beach is famous around the world as a key kiteboarding destination for good reasons. Firstly it has lots of wind thanks to the island geography. And Second because it has warm water year round. Kite beach offers a range of conditions in different areas so you should get to know the different areas so you can find the best place for your ride level and ride style.
Caution: Do not hitch your kite to launch.
Kite hitching is a dangerous technique and should not be attempted.
These types of techniques are dangerous for the general public.
Accidents have happened and these methods could easily result in serious injuries.
Maui winds are a combination of prevailing winds, trades, konas and storms, combined with local wind effects caused by Maui’s geography. The wind on Maui will be very specific to different areas. The wind on one side of the island can be blowing in the opposite direction from the wind on the other side. Depending on the activity you have planned, you may be seeking out the windiest spot, or trying to shelter from the wind for a surf session or picnic. For safety reasons you should always be aware of: extreme weather, severe weather, and any marine warnings. Check the weather reports before going to the beach, so you will have a good idea what to expect when you get there. On this page we have brought together most of the information that is useful to check the weather everyday.
Kiteboarding is essentially a solo sport. When you are kiting you are alone on your board and are in sole control of your craft. It is always better to have friend to help you launch and a buddy to ride with, but at the end of the day you are alone. To be alone means that you will ultimately need to be self-reliant. In your learning phase you will usually have the instructor to watch over you, make choices, give advice, and come to your rescue, Then later on when you are practicing on your own hopefully you have a loyal friend or partner that launches your kite, and then runs down the beach to catch you at the end of your run. You may even have boat support, or a dedicated board caddy. But sooner or later you will be in a situation where no one can help you but yourself. It is just you and your level of training.
