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IKO stands for International Kiteboarding Organisation and is the biggest internationally recognised institute for kiteboarding. More information about the IKO can be found here IKO We use the IKO way of teaching and most of our instructors are IKO or KNWV certified.
To reach one of the IKO levels and get your IKO card, we have to check your skills and mark them from a provided IKO list. After a course with us it's easy to reach one of the levels. In practice it comes down to focussing on a few points in order to reach the full level.
There are 3 levels: Kiteboarder Level 1 on land (2-4 hours) Level 1A - Know safe wind directions and conditions for kiting
- Know hazards on a spot
- Set up a trainer kite
- Know the use of safety systems
Level 1B - Have basic flying skills with trainer kite
- Launch and land the trainer kite with an assistant
- Twist and untwist the lines while flying the kite
- Walk and change directions while flying the kite
- Know the wind window
Level 1C - Set-up a 4/5 line kite with a full de-power system
- Pre-flight check of equipment and settings
- In flight check of equipment and settings
- Understand and use the international communication signals
- Launch and land the kite to an assistant and as an assistant (4/5-line de-power kite)
Level 1D - Control the kite hooked into the harness
- Understand the de-power system and can use the safety systems
- Advanced flying skills with the de-power kite
- Show full control of de-power systems in flight
Level 1E - Pull quick release and activate leash
- Recover the bar and kite
- Self land
Kiteboarder Level 2 in the water (6-8 hours) Level 2F - Enter and exit the water independently and safely while controlling the kite
- Water re-launch the kite
- First body drag downwind
- Maintain correct kite position in the wind window
- Change direction to the left and right while body dragging
- Recover the kite and bar in the water
Level 2G - Upwind body drag to recover board
- Upwind body drag holding the board with one hand
- Enter and exit at the same point while upwind body dragging
Level 2H - Know the power stroke for a water start
- Know the safety rules and theory for water start
- Can put the board on the feet and maintain the correct position for water start
Level 2I - Water starts in both directions and ride a short distance
- Come to a controlled stop
- Understand weather forecast, tidal- and wind effects
- Determine the wind strength, direction and quality
- Know the right of way rules
- Know equipment set up and choice according to the weather conditions
Kiteboarder Level 3 Level 3J - Control the riding speed by edging
- Consistent riding in both directions
Level 3K - Consistent riding in all directions including upwind
- Ride amongst other riders and water users and respect right of way rules
Level 3L - Change of direction without stopping
- Self- rescue and full pack-down in the water
Level 3M - Risk assessment and awareness of the riding area
- Self launch
Level 3N - Make a toe side turn
- Knows the theory and the safety rules for jumping.
- Land a basic jump
Things to know
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