Start Your IKO Instructor Certification Journey

The ATC (Assistant Training Course) qualifies you to work as an IKO Assistant at any center worldwide. You’ll assist certified instructors with lessons. The ITC (Instructor Training Course) makes you a fully certified IKO Instructor Level 1 who can teach independently. You must complete the ATC before the ITC — this is an IKO requirement, not a Kook Proof policy.

You need to be IKO Level 4 (Advanced) or equivalent. This means: riding upwind consistently, able to jump with a grab, toeside riding, deep water board recovery, and self-rescue competent. You must also be at least 16 years old. If you’re not sure of your level, we can assess you during a consultation call.

Our first-attempt pass rate is 90%. This is significantly higher than the industry average because you’re trained by an IKO Examiner who knows exactly what assessors evaluate. Tiago has examined hundreds of candidates and addresses the common failure points during your preparation.

Our prices include all training, equipment, materials, and (for the complete package) accommodation. IKO fees are paid separately directly to IKO and include: Module 1 eLearning (~€60), ATC certification fee (~€90), and ITC certification fee (~€90). We’ll guide you through this process during your consultation.

The complete package (ATC + First Aid + ITC) takes approximately 13-14 days. ATC is 5 days, First Aid is 1 day, and ITC is 5 days. Weather can affect scheduling, so we recommend having some flexibility. The complete package includes free accommodation for the entire period.

Yes! If you already have your ATC certification and valid First Aid, you can book the ITC only for €700. You’ll need to provide proof of your ATC and First Aid certifications. If your First Aid has expired, we can include a renewal course.

The complete package includes free accommodation at Inn Esposende for the full training period (~11 nights). If you’re booking individual courses (ATC only or ITC only), accommodation is not included but we can recommend options nearby. Many students choose to extend their stay to explore the area.

Potentially. Outstanding graduates may be offered positions or referrals. However, certification doesn’t guarantee employment — it depends on our needs and your fit. What certification does guarantee is your ability to work at any of 350+ IKO Centers in 60+ countries worldwide.

With our 90% first-attempt pass rate, failure is uncommon. If it happens, we’ll identify exactly what needs improvement and offer additional training at a reduced rate. Most candidates who don’t pass on the first attempt succeed quickly afterward once specific issues are addressed.

Our season runs from April through September. May-June and September are often ideal — good wind conditions and slightly fewer tourists. July-August work well too but can be busier. We recommend booking at least 2-3 months in advance to secure your preferred dates.