Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction, I have just learnt how to kiteboard, and have found that I absolutely love it! I dream about it everyday, and get super excited whenever I get the chance to go out on the water. However, I have been thinking one of these day's I would like to eventually progress to Kiteboarding instructor, and was wondering how would I go about being one here in Australia?

I also travel a lot to Boracay Island, Philippines. Would it be worth me learning over there? Also would my certificate in completion be recognised here in Australia? As I would like to teach here as well.

Though can anyone recommend a school here in Australia? I live in just a little south near Cairns, Far North Queensland. Wo would prefer somewhere close, but if I have to travel then so be it.

Also I have also read somewhere that IKO offers online courses? I'm bit iffy with this, but considering that I'm in a town that hasn't got much to offer regards to kitesurfing.. maybe it might be an option? Though has anyone done it this way, and can anyone please tell me how it all went from their experience? As I would love to know.

Really appreciate your feedback :)

Hi Mazz,

Living in this part of the World you have roughly 2 options for becoming a kiteboarding instructor: doing an IKO course or KA (Kiteboarding Australia) course, which is new since 2016.

Not sure where you've read that instructors can get certified only online, but let me assure you that All instructors are getting certified only by attending courses which are ran on location and during which you will get assessed on your teaching and kiting abilities ( most of the time in a 5 day course format)

IKO is without a doubt the most universally recognized certification which will allow you to get a job in most schools around the World...but the advantage of being an IKO instructor stops just about right there.

To get certified to higher IKO levels (level 2 and level 2 senior) you simply have to pass online exams and log in a lot of hours online, both of which end of costing a lot of money (paid to IKO). This is perhaps where the confusion of ''becoming an instructor by doing an online course'' comes from. As a Snowboard instructor I had to do teaching and riding exams for each (4) level of certification, which means you actually had to prove your technical and pedagogical competence for each certification level and they obviously get significantly harder to pass as you go up.

The IKO doesn't spend money in ongoing training or on ensuring teaching standards are actually being met or on developing higher teaching standards...all of which are critical in ensuring continuous instructor development and professionalization. Because of this, over the years, the IKO has earned the reputation of being a money-making organization...you can read more about this by searching various kite forums.

KA on the other hand is a non-profit organization who will, in a similar way than the IKO, train you and certify you to be a kite instructor. KA has more developed and refined teaching standards that are more suited for Australian conditions. When signing up for a KA course you will get 2 experienced examiners running the course at the same time, which basically means it costs double for them to run the course ( course cost is the same as IKO). So instead of having 1 examiner for 8 candidates you will have 2 examiners for (a maximum) of 8 candidates...makes a huge difference in the quality of your training experience.

KA is a newer organization but has lots of very experienced (and local) people who are working hard on finding new ways to genuinely improve teaching standards country-wide. As far as getting your KA certification recognized Worldwide I suggest you contact them directly to find out about the process.

If you go ahead with pursuing your dream of becoming a kite instructor, at some stage you'll realize that the 5 day course accounts for a rather small percentage of what actually makes you an instructor. Mentoring and ongoing training are what will make the most difference in the quality of training you will receive and therefore how competent you will become as an instructor yourself. Essentially if you can find a great mentor you stand a much better chance of becoming a great instructor.

In your case, the first steps is to brush up on your kiting skills...as you will need to be able to demonstrate certain skills corresponding to an ''intermediate'' level. Those per-requisites, among others, are well detailed on their websites.

The second step is to start approaching kite schools and ask if you can watch lessons and learn a thing or two about teaching kiting. The process of ''shadowing'' kite lessons is actually a mandatory process in becoming a kite instructor. Instructors who have done shadowing prior to attending a course are obviously much better prepared!

As far as location and dates, you will have to wait until at least until September for IKO or KA courses to run, some of which will be ran on the East Coast and in QLD. Dates should eventually appear on the Websites so keep looking or email them for more details. As far as I know IKO courses are also being ran in the Philippines so that's another option.

I suggest you spend some time reading about the process of ''becoming a kite instructor'' in both the IKO Website (www.ikointl.com/) and KA Website (kiteboardingaus.com.au) and that you contact them directly with any questions.

Also, in case that may change your mind about becoming an instructor, remember that whenever conditions are ideal for kiting you will be working while everyone is out there having fun...which means your kiting time will be limited and you're often too tired to kite yourself anyways...

Having a passion for kiting is great but having a passion for teaching is the most important if you want to enjoy this job :)

Christian

Hey Mate,

PM me if you want to do your level 1 online. I offer an online IKO (International Kitesurf Organisation) course. Its a fairly comprehensive 10 question test. Not everyone passes. Usually because their payment didn't go through.

The course is $329. You get a certificate and a badge that says that you are IKO certified and are there for a know it all about all things kite related.

Let me know mate.

Kiteman out.

Hey there,

I offer the same IKO level 1 course online

but its only 9 multiple choice questions

and only costs $328.50

you get a certificate and a safety pin

which allows you to turn your certificate into a badge

spots are strictly limited to stupid people only

its a formula that's worked well for IKO so far

drop me a pm and book your spot now!!!!

if you learn in boracay maybe hit dorothy up :)

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kiteman69 said...
Hey Mate,

PM me if you want to do your level 1 online. I offer an online IKO (International Kitesurf Organisation) course. Its a fairly comprehensive 10 question test. Not everyone passes. Usually because their payment didn't go through.

The course is $329. You get a certificate and a badge that says that you are IKO certified and are there for a know it all about all things kite related.

Let me know mate.

Kiteman out.

And that's why when you see a bellend on your local beach, you'll know his instructor did an online questionnaire and paid $300 ,
This crap needs to change

Mate I'm all for being self taught. I bet that cbulota is self taught... Correct me if I'm wrong.

How can someone that is self taught sit back and preach that you should get lessons??? Oh yeah he has a kite school.

There should always be the option of being taught for the gumbys that can't work it out them selves. But the whole mind set of you have to get lessons is wrong. Next you guys will want a licence to buy a kite. I think you can see where I'm going here.

Lucky for me the red thumb thing is off. lol

Self taught, are you taking the piss? I'm not saying you can't teach yourself but for most people it is cheaper and far less dangerous to get proper instruction. Seen 'experienced' kiters come into a lot of trouble on many occasions because they skipped the basics; destroying kites, losing boards, not getting back to shore when wind drops etc, etc. To think someone new to the sport won't benefit from the experience of a qualified instructor is crazy. Learn the hard, long and expensive way if you like but if you have a life and value it I'd say go for an IKO or KA instructor.

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kiteman69 said..
Mate I'm all for being self taught. I bet that cbulota is self taught... Correct me if I'm wrong.

How can someone that is self taught sit back and preach that you should get lessons??? Oh yeah he has a kite school.

I first started my kiteboarding journey with a lesson actually, about 10 years ago. The mistake I made was thinking one 2h lesson was enough so after that initial lesson I went out trying to figure the rest out by myself, which lead to many accidents and damaged equipment! Seeing how dangerous that was and how little I was progressing, I booked a few more lessons 1 year later and after those I was not only finally competent at riding but much more confident and self-sufficient since I learned to self-rescue and retrieve my board properly for the first time.

Also, I don't have a kite school.

You are right in saying people can learn just about anything by themselves and I don't mind that as long as they are fully aware of the risks AND don't put other people at risk. Metro kite beaches are already crowded with kiters, other beach users, and kite schools doing the right thing, so when you add self-learners and friends teaching friends in the mix, more accidents happen and that's a simple fact.

Even if you don't notice it first hand, the fact is professional kite instruction is evolving in the background mostly from people donating their time while most schools are struggling to make any profit. People who are in this business in the long run do it out of passion for helping other people and sharing the love of our sport and that's not about to change. Professional instruction is making our sport a lot safer, and that's another fact.

Nothing is perfect in the kite instruction World and there is always room for improvement, but not supporting people taking lessons isn't helping our sport go forward.

Would you learn skydiving by yourself to save money ? Would you let teenagers borrow your car so they can self-learn how to drive and save money on driving lessons? Maybe you try those and let us know how it goes ? Oh wait, those would be against the law...but who cares right ?

Christian

I am a Newbie at the water start stage.

I went to a cheap school here in Perth on the river and I paid dearly for it. Soul???? - something

I was injured badly because of their neglegance. I ended up having to take a lot of sick leave from work.

I changed schools and I totally support Christian in his comments

Don't go to cheap schools and learn all the safety requirements, take your time.

Extra money spent on lessons will repay you many times over.

Since I changed schools I have enjoyed learning much more and I have lost my fear of the kite overpowering me because I have been taught how to depower etc

If you want to be an instructor you need lots of experience learnt from someone who knows not from an online course or video

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cbulota said..

kiteman69 said..
Mate I'm all for being self taught. I bet that cbulota is self taught... Correct me if I'm wrong.

How can someone that is self taught sit back and preach that you should get lessons??? Oh yeah he has a kite school.

I first started my kiteboarding journey with a lesson actually, about 10 years ago. The mistake I made was thinking one 2h lesson was enough so after that initial lesson I went out trying to figure the rest out by myself, which lead to many accidents and damaged equipment! Seeing how dangerous that was and how little I was progressing, I booked a few more lessons 1 year later and after those I was not only finally competent at riding but much more confident and self-sufficient since I learned to self-rescue and retrieve my board properly for the first time.

Also, I don't have a kite school.

You are right in saying people can learn just about anything by themselves and I don't mind that as long as they are fully aware of the risks AND don't put other people at risk. Metro kite beaches are already crowded with kiters, other beach users, and kite schools doing the right thing, so when you add self-learners and friends teaching friends in the mix, more accidents happen and that's a simple fact.

Even if you don't notice it first hand, the fact is professional kite instruction is evolving in the background mostly from people donating their time while most schools are struggling to make any profit. People who are in this business in the long run do it out of passion for helping other people and sharing the love of our sport and that's not about to change. Professional instruction is making our sport a lot safer, and that's another fact.

Nothing is perfect in the kite instruction World and there is always room for improvement, but not supporting people taking lessons isn't helping our sport go forward.

Would you learn skydiving by yourself to save money ? Would you let teenagers borrow your car so they can self-learn how to drive and save money on driving lessons? Maybe you try those and let us know how it goes ? Oh wait, those would be against the law...but who cares right ?

Christian

Bro There is a big difference between learning to kite by your self and a teenager alone with a car on the road. One is legal and the other is not.

I think that you just got trolled hard by kiteman. He kites down at my local. Thinks because he started by himself on a 2-Liner back in'The Day' as he calls it (I think he started in 2001 or something) he has the right to tell everyone the learns on the new gear that they are gumbys. Its probably a bit to do with the crowds these days, as most people wouldn't be kiting if the didn't get a lesson.

He talks to me because he saw me learning by myself. Still gives me sh!t because I started on a 4 line. But he's pretty cool.

Remo

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Jhana said..
I am a Newbie at the water start stage.

I went to a cheap school here in Perth on the river and I paid dearly for it. Soul???? - something

I was injured badly because of their neglegance. I ended up having to take a lot of sick leave from work.

I changed schools and I totally support Christian in his comments

Don't go to cheap schools and learn all the safety requirements, take your time.

Extra money spent on lessons will repay you many times over.

Since I changed schools I have enjoyed learning much more and I have lost my fear of the kite overpowering me because I have been taught how to depower etc

If you want to be an instructor you need lots of experience learnt from someone who knows not from an online course or video

Are you the person who had to be air lifted from Pt Walter?

Regardless, glad you are ok and back on the water.

We should name and shame bad trainers/schools. Only way to weed out the cowboys.

The university of YouTube has a great PH.D. in kitesurfing course after you do a real quick search on YouTube "kitesurfing for dumbies" pay your $329.95 plus S&H you will receive your doctorate in kitesurfing plus pin that also floats for that added safety and price of mind so then after you crash your students kite get to fix their broken kite and bones all at the same time with the race tape and Sesame Street band aids included in your doctorate in kitesurfing pack cause your a DR IN KITESURFING

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ColoColo said...
We should name and shame bad trainers/schools. Only way to weed out the cowboys.

Every single school would say the other school was bad. Its a competitive business market.

What you need is every instructor to be under the IKO and not a myriad of other organisations like ka where unqualified illequiped instructors can hide amd claim they are properly qualified. The iko allready has a system of NAMEING AND SHAMEING and it involves the schools and instructors being heavily penalised even fined amd liscences removed. Where as this bull**** upstart kiteboarding australia mickey mouse **** has nothing and is a joke.

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kookaburrahz said..

What you need is every instructor to be under the IKO and not a myriad of other organisations like ka where unqualified illequiped instructors can hide amd claim they are properly qualified. The iko allready has a system of NAMEING AND SHAMEING and it involves the schools and instructors being heavily penalised even fined amd liscences removed. Where as this bull**** upstart kiteboarding australia mickey mouse **** has nothing and is a joke.

Utter crap, nothing wrong with somebody starting up their own training course in any endeavour, usually do it better than the incumbents.

Nameing and shameing is a nightmare too, because then a very aggressive competitor could take advantage.

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Troll said..

Jhana said..
I am a Newbie at the water start stage.

I went to a cheap school here in Perth on the river and I paid dearly for it. Soul???? - something

I was injured badly because of their neglegance. I ended up having to take a lot of sick leave from work.

I changed schools and I totally support Christian in his comments

Don't go to cheap schools and learn all the safety requirements, take your time.

Extra money spent on lessons will repay you many times over.

Since I changed schools I have enjoyed learning much more and I have lost my fear of the kite overpowering me because I have been taught how to depower etc

If you want to be an instructor you need lots of experience learnt from someone who knows not from an online course or video

Are you the person who had to be air lifted from Pt Walter?

Regardless, glad you are ok and back on the water.

No I did not get airlifted but I did end up in hospital.

I was being taught in 32+ knot wind - thats negligence by the school - 2nd lesson

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Jhana said...

Troll said..

Jhana said..
I am a Newbie at the water start stage.

I went to a cheap school here in Perth on the river and I paid dearly for it. Soul???? - something

I was injured badly because of their neglegance. I ended up having to take a lot of sick leave from work.

I changed schools and I totally support Christian in his comments

Don't go to cheap schools and learn all the safety requirements, take your time.

Extra money spent on lessons will repay you many times over.

Since I changed schools I have enjoyed learning much more and I have lost my fear of the kite overpowering me because I have been taught how to depower etc

If you want to be an instructor you need lots of experience learnt from someone who knows not from an online course or video

Are you the person who had to be air lifted from Pt Walter?

Regardless, glad you are ok and back on the water.

No I did not get airlifted but I did end up in hospital.

I was being taught in 32+ knot wind - thats negligence by the school - 2nd lesson

Mega loop lessons for lesson 3

The iko online thing is a joke..yes??

Well there's ya 1st mistake being taught in 32+ knt winds you prob we're learning on a 12 or something similar right?

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upsidedowner said..
Well there's ya 1st mistake being taught in 32+ knt winds you prob we're learning on a 12 or something similar right?

The Kiteschool was negligent, as a newbie you trust they know what they are doing.



The kite was a 6metre but in 32knot winds 60klms an hour its easy to be overpowered an dumped on the beach

Soul av a reputation for money first. . . Safety second.

Don't let this hinder your interest on the spirt. Unfort sometimes we learn the hard way unknowingly.

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Mazz said..
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction, I have just learnt how to kiteboard, and have found that I absolutely love it! I dream about it everyday, and get super excited whenever I get the chance to go out on the water. However, I have been thinking one of these day's I would like to eventually progress to Kiteboarding instructor, and was wondering how would I go about being one here in Australia?

I also travel a lot to Boracay Island, Philippines. Would it be worth me learning over there? Also would my certificate in completion be recognised here in Australia? As I would like to teach here as well.

Though can anyone recommend a school here in Australia? I live in just a little south near Cairns, Far North Queensland. Wo would prefer somewhere close, but if I have to travel then so be it.

Also I have also read somewhere that IKO offers online courses? I'm bit iffy with this, but considering that I'm in a town that hasn't got much to offer regards to kitesurfing.. maybe it might be an option? Though has anyone done it this way, and can anyone please tell me how it all went from their experience? As I would love to know.

Really appreciate your feedback :)

Kiting is super addictive and all consuming but the best job is the one that lets you go down the beach alot and kite yourself, not (as Christian explains) go down the beach and watch other people kite.

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timmybuddhadude said..
The iko online thing is a joke..yes??

Yes it is a joke.... You simply cannot become a level 1 certified instructor just from doing an online course :)

In all honesty the IKO material (instructor manual) is actually thorough, well written and an excellent resource for Instructors and kiters. The courses are also well delivered.

Unfortunately there is much more involved in becoming a great instructor than just reading a manual and taking a 5 day course...and this is where the IKO hasn't been able to deliver results in ensuring further training, support and quality check.

The other issue is many schools are putting pressure on their instructors so students are being put on boards without actually being ready and competent with most previous skills, and this is how accidents happens Schools are selling these ''Zero to Hero'' packages with ''guaranteed'' progression in 5-6 hours (sometimes learning in groups) while in reality it probably takes double that time for the average learner to get to a minimum level of competence on the board while still having covered the prior skills thoroughly.

I was having another read through the IKO manual recently and here are some interesting quotes:


''Your goal, as an instructor, is to teach your students to become independent in each of the steps''


''a student must have automation in all the safety procedure''


''The instructor must feel confident that the student has a good enough understanding of all the skills they are signing off on, to a level that the student can carry on the practice of these skills meaningfully and safely without the continued support of the instructor ''


''Do not emit or skip skills that might not seem relevant to your location or conditions. Always maintain the standards and keep your students safe for wherever they end up kiteboarding.


Probably around 90% of lessons taken in the country are from an IKO instructor, but probably about 10% of those finishing lessons have the level of training mentioned the above quotes...

Christian

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timmybuddhadude said..
The iko online thing is a joke..yes??

Na Brah, No Joke. Don't listen to that cbulota Ricky Martin fan. Blokes got no idea.

You can run through my online course no probs. Cbulota got his quals from my online course and now he has the right to go around and tell everyone how much he knows about kiting.

Come and do my course and you will be able to do the same. One of the must haves for my course is video of you flying a 2 liner. Cbulota sent in a vid of him getting dragged across some playground equipment, and then crying like a little girl in the back of an ambulance. Was such good footage that we let him take the course any way. His level 1 does not cover 2 line kites though. As he couldn't demo that he knows how to fly them. You should be able to find the footage on youtube, just type in cubulota crying like a little bi!ch kiter and it will come up.

PM me some cash and I'll hook you up with some quals.

Hi Mazz,

You can only do an IKO Level 1 instructor course at an IKO affiliated centre (the online courses are not genuine!). All affiliated centres are listed on the IKO website: https://www.ikointl.com/IKO-Kite-Schools-Centers.

There is only one IKO Centre in the Philippines, Cuyo Watersports Association located on Cuyo Island in Palawan (www.cuyokiteboarding.com), and they will be running Instructor and Assistant Instructor courses throughout January and February 2018...It also happens to be an AWESOME kitespot!

Hope that helps - Good luck!

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cbulota said..

Would you learn skydiving by yourself to save money ? Would you let teenagers borrow your car so they can self-learn how to drive and save money on driving lessons? Maybe you try those and let us know how it goes ? Oh wait, those would be against the law...but who cares right ?

Christian

well I havn't tried skydiving but thats how I learnt to drive and kite
I didn't really have too many problems learning but it did take a long time and I think most importantly when I learnt I was the only person on the beach. Now days theres just too many people on the beach or in the water for you to learn without putting someone at risk. The other thing is when theres knowone around you tend to have a verry healthy respect for your own safety.
To the op just enjoy kiting and don't turn your hobby into work.

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TurtleHunter said..

cbulota said..

Would you learn skydiving by yourself to save money ? Would you let teenagers borrow your car so they can self-learn how to drive and save money on driving lessons? Maybe you try those and let us know how it goes ? Oh wait, those would be against the law...but who cares right ?

Christian

well I havn't tried skydiving but thats how I learnt to drive and kite
I didn't really have too many problems learning but it did take a long time and I think most importantly when I learnt I was the only person on the beach. Now days theres just too many people on the beach or in the water for you to learn without putting someone at risk. The other thing is when theres knowone around you tend to have a verry healthy respect for your own safety.
To the op just enjoy kiting and don't turn your hobby into work.

Sorry bud no one on the beach, when did you learn 1770?

I don't think beach use has changed that radically in the last 30 years. Maybe you learnt in winter or something.

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Richoa said..

TurtleHunter said..

cbulota said..

Would you learn skydiving by yourself to save money ? Would you let teenagers borrow your car so they can self-learn how to drive and save money on driving lessons? Maybe you try those and let us know how it goes ? Oh wait, those would be against the law...but who cares right ?

Christian

well I havn't tried skydiving but thats how I learnt to drive and kite
I didn't really have too many problems learning but it did take a long time and I think most importantly when I learnt I was the only person on the beach. Now days theres just too many people on the beach or in the water for you to learn without putting someone at risk. The other thing is when theres knowone around you tend to have a verry healthy respect for your own safety.
To the op just enjoy kiting and don't turn your hobby into work.

Sorry bud no one on the beach, when did you learn 1770?

I don't think beach use has changed that radically in the last 30 years. Maybe you learnt in winter or something.

Turtlehunter learnt in 1770 Agnes water Qld?? Thats a new one.you kept that one quiet.
P.s iko seems ludicrous amount compared to KA.$2000 vrs 1200. And Mazz theres allready thouands of them like padi & not enough jobs to go round in aus..
Best buy two decent kites a tinnie and boat go out and learn some proper things yourself here :-) :-)

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Richoa said..

TurtleHunter said..

cbulota said..

Would you learn skydiving by yourself to save money ? Would you let teenagers borrow your car so they can self-learn how to drive and save money on driving lessons? Maybe you try those and let us know how it goes ? Oh wait, those would be against the law...but who cares right ?

Christian

well I havn't tried skydiving but thats how I learnt to drive and kite
I didn't really have too many problems learning but it did take a long time and I think most importantly when I learnt I was the only person on the beach. Now days theres just too many people on the beach or in the water for you to learn without putting someone at risk. The other thing is when theres knowone around you tend to have a verry healthy respect for your own safety.
To the op just enjoy kiting and don't turn your hobby into work.

Sorry bud no one on the beach, when did you learn 1770?

I don't think beach use has changed that radically in the last 30 years. Maybe you learnt in winter or something.

Your probably right Richoa for your area but where I learnt it has gone from just me and not a single car going past on the dirt road all afternoon during summer to a dozen kiters and a few families on the beach everyday now with the sealed road.
To be honest I recommend everyone to get lessons but I do feel a bit hypocritical in saying you must have lessons.
I think if I was in a populated area I would probably also say you must have lessons but I think there is always going to be people who will teach themselves and if there was something in place to guide or control them it would prevent a lot of accidents to them and others on the beach.

Just wandering why is so expensive?