Powerkite course

1 hour

Also known as ‘Discover Kiteboarding’ this course is a non-certification course that is designed to give you an idea of what Kiting and all the kiteboarding hype is all about.

You will fly a foil kite on the beach learning to control and steer it in different formations.


IKO Level 1

6 hour (1 day) Beginner certification course
This course runs you through

  • Understanding basic wind theory
  • Introduction to kite types
  • Flying the trainer foil-Learning the flying technique
  • Safety and control systems
  • Flying the ‘real deal’. Understanding and flying larger 4-line inflatable tube kites
  • Understanding and evaluating potential hazards
  • Kite re-launching
  • Deep water pack-downs
  • Downwind body-dragging

IKO Level 2

12 hour (Includes Level 1. 2 to 3 days) Intermediate certification course

  • Kite history, theory and wind effects
  • One-handed kite flying and advanced kite control
  • Up-wind body-dragging
  • Board recovery
  • Water entry and on beach kite control
  • Board start theory and practical approach to board starts
  • Riding!

IKO Level 3

This course is taught by the hour to meet individual needs. It covers the following criteria:

  • Learn to ride constantly up-wind
  • Clean turns. Perform clean directional turns
  • Learn to jump. Both pop and kite-driven jumps
  • Right-of-way rules

 

East Africas only instructor kite centre

Referral or Level 2 Refresher

6 hour (1 day) Intermediate certification course

  • Up-grade your level from level 1 to level 2 in perfect conditions
  • Refresh your skills and understanding to reach the intermediate kitesurfing level

Wave Riding

Learn to confidently ride waves on and beyond the reef. The practical component of this course is taught with a student to instructor ratio of one-to-one and includes the following criteria;

  • Understanding wave theory
  • Potential hazards
  • Wave types
  • Approach to waves heading out to sea and coming back in
  • Waves and wave riding theory with respect to wind directions
  • Jumping waves
  • Clean turns
  • Wave riding

Become an Assistant Instructor

What is the assistant instructor's job about?

You wish to get a job as an Assistant Kiteboarding Instructor? Or you want to start your kiteboarding pro career and need to gain experience to attend an IKO ITC?

In both cases the assistant instructor training is for you! It is a great way to gain experience to prepare for a professional career, or simply discover what an instructor's job is all about! In a few words, it is the best way to mix your passion and your job, and you can start as early as 16 years old.

Not only does this training provide you with great experience, it also gives you great teaching and organizational skills. You will also learn more about equipment, how to prepare and use it, as well as many other key points.

Being an assistant instructor also means having the opportunity to fully discover how a kiteboarding center works with the support of passionate people.

As an IKO Assistant Instructor, you are qualified to:

  • Manage the equipment organization and maintenance,
  • Manage the kite launching and landing of a group of 2 students,
  • Teach 1 student at a time (up to level 1/D and under the supervision of an IKO instructor level 2),
  • Supervise the safety of 4 kiteboarders from level 3/J and above who rent equipment or need assistance.
  • The assistant instructor program is essential to candidates with no prior teaching background in any water or aerial sport. If you intend on following an ITC (instructor´s course) the assistant instructor program is a prerequisite to becoming IKO instructor level 1.

Training course

The training is organized in 3 steps and is completed in a minimum of 3 days.

The 2 first steps are usually completed in 1 day: - Evaluation of your competencies: kiteboarding knowledge, practice level - Theoretical competencies: level check and update of knowledge.

A visit of the school also takes place during the 1st day in order for you to better understand the way it works (bookings, equipment storage, spot ...)

During the 3rd step, you will work with your instructor level 2 in live situation. You act as assistant instructor during at least 10 hours of lesson.

Your benefits: become part of IKO´s international network!

Once certified, you will get your IKO ID that allows you to log in the pro area of the website. As an assistant instructor you benefit from numerous job opportunities thanks to the job offers to which you have access in the pro area of the web site. Moreover, you have priority over other candidates for ITC level 1.

Prerequisites

  • Be at least 16 years old (parental consent if under 18),
  • Be certified IKO kiteboarder level 3 for at least 6 months (or have equivalent level of practice),
  • Have a valid first aid and CPR diploma.

Additional info

You will receive a copy of the Assistant Instructor Manual and once you are certified, you will receive (by post) your Assistant Instructor Diploma.

Become a Kiteboarding Instructor

About passion

Because you are addicted kiteboarders and want to share your passion and knowledge with others, AIRBORNE and the IKO offers you the possibility to be trained as a pro instructor and make your passion your job.

A solid training program

IKO offers a reliable and professional training program. Instructors become IKO certified by attending the 5 days Instructor Training Course (ITC). The training program corresponds precisely to kiteboarding teaching methods. The certification is recognized as the international standard in teaching.
At the end of the training, you will have developed abilities in the following major areas: safety, practical environment, analysis, technique, teaching psychology and live situation.

After attending an ITC, you will be qualified as IKO Instructor level 1 and will be able to continue your pro training. To keep a high quality teaching, all instructors level 1 must request to pass their level 2 within two years following their training.

Your benefits with IKO

  • Get an International Diploma that will allow you to teach worldwide
  • Apply for an international insurance specific to teaching kiteboarding
  • Benefit of teaching tools that are constantly updated
  • Certify the level of your trainees with the Kiteboarder Card
  • Receive the Pro Newsletter and Flash
  • Apply for a job in the pro area
  • Get the IKO Kiteboarding Center affiliation for your school
  • Become level 2 instructor

Prerequisites

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a kiteboarder level 3 for at least 6 months
  • Be able to perform a jump, perform a controlled turn and switch riding, ride constantly up wind and ride between other riders
  • Have an IKO assistant instructor certification or provide an attestation (letter of recommendation) of a teaching experience in a water or aerial sport
  • Have a valid first aid certificate
  • Have a powerboat license or equivalent skill level if no obligatory license is required in the home country

How to enroll in a course

Make sure you meet the prerequisites and have the necessary documents. Contact us for the ITC Candidate Waiver form (also available in french) or IEC Candidate Waiver form which will need to be filled in accordingly and returned to us for evaluation, together with the deposit, at least one month prior to the start of the ITC.


The Zero to Hero Instructor Internship

Overview

This course is designed to get you right through the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) levels 1, 2 and 3, followed by the IKO Assistant Instructor and IKO Instructor certification levels. You will gain not only riding experience but also hands-on teaching, equipment handling and customer relations experience working with our Instructors within the centre environment. You will work up through the Assistant Instructor level which is the first internationally recognized professional level. Hereafter you will be able to teach some supervised and some unsupervised components of the IKO levels 1, 2 and 3. You will also be taught boat handling and rescue techniques as well as doing an Emergency First Response (EFR) First Aid course. The Instructor Trainer Course (ITC) follows. The Instructor certification allows you to train and certify students worldwide through IKO levels 1, 2 and 3.

Course components

  • IKO level 1
  • IKO level 2
  • IKO level 3
  • Emergency First Response (EFR) First Aid course
  • Boat handling and rescue techniques
  • Assistant Instructor Course (AIC)
  • Instructor Trainer Course (ITC)

NB: For a more detailed outline check the individual courses

Time-frame

The course from beginner to Instructor level is designed to take 3 months. Should you have prior riding experience this may reduce the time to complete the course, however this is only the case if you have met the IKO level 3 riding ability.

Cost

3,500 Euro. The course includes all EFR and IKO certifications and memberships.

Contact Airborne

Buccaneer Diving IKO East Africas Extreme Kiteboarding Centre