IKO Instructor Level 1

– Share your passion worldwide
Put the odds in your favour while reaching the pure excellence in the teaching experience. This leading course is your best start to becoming a professional kite Instructor and living your dream. All pedagogical contents and exercises included in the course show you how to find the perfect balance of fun and safety while keeping each kiteboarder’s individuality in mind.
– Teach the highest international standards
The course is designed for you to become a proficient Instructor. Learn through a top-notch recognised method how to teach safely and efficiently from beginner to independent kitesurfers.
– Excel with pedagogy
The IKO Teaching Concept is based on a mix of trials and errors with corresponding evaluation and correction. Key concepts about the learning curve, mental state, and principle of communication will have no secrets at the end of the course. Get support with visual lesson plan and also learn from live practice with real kitesurfing beginners.

IKO Instructor Equivalency Course (IEC)

– Accredit your diploma internationally
Teaching kiteboarding to others is already part of your life. The equivalency program has been specifically designed for expired and suspended IKO Instructors and/or Instructors coming from PASA, VDWS, BKSA, RFEV, FAV, FFVL and/or KA with a valid diploma. This 3-day course main goal is to synchronise your current methodology along with those of the IKO.
– Enhance your Training Experience
IKO values your past trainings and acquired teaching experience. The idea behind the equivalency course is to help you learn, understand and adopt what the IKO has developed and pushed over the last decade within only a few days. You already know how to teach and are knowledgeable on the theory so we focus on explaining you our lesson plan, standards and build a case on why we consider our method to be the safest and most efficient way to teach kitesurf worldwide. This job-oriented course will be a unique experience where you will also get to share and learn with other experienced instructors from other organization who are as motivated and knowledgeable as you.
– Start a New Career Path
IKO is more than just a kiteboarding training methodology. The IKO will allow you to stand out and grow. Based on your previous diploma or level, we offer you different tools, benefits and opportunities. From Instructors who travel the world, to those that open up their own IKO Center to the professionals who build a career within the IKO to become an Examiner; the IKO is filled with opportunities you just have to choose your path.

IKO Coach / Coach Trainer

Do you want to teach the Kiteboarder Level 5 – Evolution (hourly classes or Clinic)? Become a Coach. This provides you more opportunity to teach and earn extra cash while doing the thing you love.

A Coach is an IKO Instructor Level 2 that has an excellent riding level. A Coach has additionally received specialized training to perform specific assessment of kiteboarder riding skills in order to be able to help riders get on the path toward progression. As a Coach, you can pick an area of emphasis. You can get certified in one or all three distinct disciplines: Freeride, Freestyle and/or Wave Riding. You will be able to run Evolution Clinic according to which discipline you are certified in as a Coach.

What will you learn during the Kiteboard Coach Course?

During the KCC, candidates will discover how to organize and manage a 6-person Evolution Clinic. You will learn to:
• teach advanced rider skills
• prepare advanced lesson plans
• analyze student failures via “video coach,” which consists in filming and debriefing a student’s practice
• teach downwinder organization and riding
• demonstrate and train on safety and rescue
• do specific warm-up and stretching exercises
• teach theory (meteorology, aerodynamics, tides, etc.).

Worldwide qualifications and benefits:

• Run Evolution Clinic with up to 6 participants or per hour Evolution courses
• Purchase IKO products with 30% discount over the public price.
• Access to open job listings on the IKO Website.
• Post seeking employment ads viewable to IKO Centers.
• Post personal profile info online, which is viewable via the general public website.
• Receive customer feedback that results in an international instructor ranking.

Prerequisites:

• Be IKO Instructor Level 2,
• Be able to successfully demonstrate riding skills in at least one of the Evolution categories,
• Have signed the waiver form and paid the corresponding IKO fee for this course,

What’s next?
Do you want to train Coaches? Then, progress on up to the Coach Trainer level.

IKO Assistant trainer

Are you an Instructor Level 3 and have at least 24 years old? You enjoy teaching kiteboarding and are looking for a way to increase your revenue with your passion?
The IKO is looking for the next generation of Assistant Trainers. All Instructors Level 3 can apply to an Assistant Trainer Training Course (ATTC).

Benefits:
• Run IKO Assistant Instructor Training Course (AITC) with up to 8 candidates
• Earn up to USD 1,600 in 5 days or USD 200 per candidate
• Apply to become Examiner (once you have run 4 AITC with a total of at least 20 candidates)
• Purchase IKO products with 50% discount over the public price
• Access to open job listings on the IKO Website
• Post seeking employment ads viewable to IKO Centers
• Post personal profile info online, which is viewable via the general public website
• Receive customer feedback that results in an international instructor ranking
Prerequisites:
• Be Instructor Level 3
• Be at least 24 years old
• Attend an AITC as an observer, confirmed by the Assistant Trainer.
• Have a valid MFA/CPR certificate (less than 2 years)
• Be able to read, write and speak fluently the language in which the course is given.
Procedure:
• Candidates who meet all the pre-requisites MUST contact the IKO Office to receive details about the course. The IKO Office will then confirm (or not) the course to the candidate and Examiner.
• Candidates self-evaluate and decide to participate in the course. If they do not feel ready, it is advised to postpone the course.

Training Procedure:
Before attending the ATTC the candidate must follow an AITC as an observer. It can be done during any AITC with any Assistant Trainer. It is the responsibility of the candidate to find an AITC in the Training Calendar and contact the organizer or Assistant Trainer. There can be only one observer per AITC. The Assistant Trainer candidate must be present during the whole AITC (5 days – 40 hours).
In order to be certified Assistant Trainer, candidates must participate in the 5-day Assistant Trainer Training Course and validate all the criteria. If candidates do not pass the course requirement, they will not be certified at the end of the course. In this case, they have to do another ATTC.
The ATTC will be done at the same time as an AITC. The Assistant Trainer Candidates should have at least two Assistant Instructor candidates to train. The Examiner will help the Assistant Trainer candidates and debriefings will be done during the breaks and at the end of each day, but it is the candidates who run the course under the supervision of the Examiner.