FIRST TRAINING STAGE (Level 1 IKO)

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

FIRST STAGE PROGRAM

• Learning to identify wind’s direction, terminology
• Learning to evaluate the security of a chosen spot
• Kite setup and packing
• Control bar and lines setup and packing
• 4 security levels (theory)
• Equipment verification before take-off
• Assistant’s role
• Universal hand signals used in kiting
• Holding the kite at 12 o’clock
• Bar in / bar out
• Holding the kite at 11, 10, 9 and 1, 2, 3 o’clock
• Figure-8 turns
• Safety release
• Resetting after the safety release
• “Wind window”
• Self launching and self landing

At this stage, you will learn how to inflate and deflate kites, how to unroll the lines, how to connect and adjust the control bar, how to carry an inflated kite. You will also learn about the security systems and how and when to activate them.

After some short initial instructions where we explain to our students the basics of security systems – we will head down to the water, where they would have a chance to see and learn first hand the techniques of kite flying. After that students will be able to practice and apply what they’ve learned.

At this stage all practice is done on short lines.

SECOND STAGE (Level 2 IKO)

Duration: 6 hours or more

SECOND STAGE PROGRAM

• Moving backwards
• Moving forward
• Moving right/left square to the wind
• Moving right/ left upwind and downwind
• One-handed kite control
• Trimming the kite
• Lines wrapping
• Water re-launch
• Body dragging downwind (using the 8-figure turning from 11 to 1 o’clock)
• Body dragging left/right (with the kite set to 11 or to 1 o’clock)
• Body dragging with vertical 8-figure turning right/left
• Body dragging with a down-swing
• One-handed body dragging
• Body dragging with a board
• Self-rescue
• Re-launching and parking the kite
• Getting the board on
• Riding the board downwind
• Riding the board right and left
• Water start
• Navigation rules
• Short-distance riding
• Starting and stopping
• Wind effects
• Kite adjustments
• Kite types

During this stage you will learn to control the kite effectively and get the taste of what it’s like to actually ride on a board. You will also learn to self-rescue, which is one of the most important skills in kitesurfing as well as how to get the board on without losing your body balance in the water.

This is where your basic training is over, because you are a rider now.

THIRD STAGE (Level 3 IKO)

Duration – 3 to 4 hours

THIRD STAGE PROGRAM

• Controlling the speed
• Riding upwind and downwind
• Riding in traffic
• Transitioning without stopping
• Riding in switch
• Choosing and assessing a kiting spot
• Introduction to jumping

During this stage students improve upon the foundation of skills learned during previous lessons. They are solid riders now in full and secure control of their gear. Only thing left to do is to practice and polish out their newly-acquired skills.

To sum up

Every day you’ll be spending 2 to 4 hours training either individually with your instructor or if you’re in a group – you’ll be taking rounds with other students resting while others are practicing with the equipment.

If you are already and experienced rider and you’re looking for rental services – we’ll be happy to provide you with everything need either on hourly on daily basis. Kiting skill’s proof is required.

Upon completion of the course, having learned how to kite, you are welcome to continue riding on your own and work on your skills and mastering new ones, such as jumping or tricks. Our instructors are always happy to give a piece of advice and answer questions that you might have.

Every student may take a break any time they wish and travel to other islands, kite with dolphins at the sunset, enjoy heavenly lagoons, free-dive or relax in any other way they only and come back later to continue where they left off.

UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, EACH RIDER RECEIVES AN INTERNATIONAL IKO CERTIFICATE