The
IKO kiteboarding programs will make you learn the way you want to,
by respecting your progression rythm and allowing you to find a
program best adapted to you. You can take collective or one-on-one
lessons. There is neither age limit nor preprequisites apart from
being able to swim and enjoy spending time in the water!
The
three following programs will help you select the one that is best
adapted to your goals. Remember that all courses supplied in an
IKO Kiteboarding center certify your achievements with the Kiteboarder
card. To find out all that you will learn, check out the student's
standards.
The best way to discover kiteboarding! By the
end of this program, you will be ready to move to the next step:
getting up on the board! The first part of this program will take
you through the steps of piloting a 2 or 4 lines kite, and body
dragging in the water. You will also learn about safety and how
important it is to the sport. Furthermore, you will be taken through
the steps of equipment set up and launching and landing.
A1
- Carry and set up the lines and kite
- Determine the wind direction and upwind and downwind (windward,
leeward).
- Fly a small kite (inflatable, stunt kite, foil…) on the wind window
edge and maintain it close to the ground.
- Know how to stop the kite power in case of problem by releasing
the bar. Be aware that the kite leash must be worn at all times,
before kite launching and until landing.
B1
- Be aware of the area where the kite can fall down wind to the
pilot.
- Recover the kite on land.
- Position the kite on request from 9 to 3 o’clock on the wind window
edge.
- Launch a kite with an assistant and choose the right angle to the
wind.
- Fly the kite in the power area without crashing it.
- Twist and untwist the lines while the kite flies.
- Recover a kite and secure it on land.
- Land a kite with the help of an assistant.
C1
- Fly a kite hooked to the harness.
- Pilot hooked to the harness with one hand.
- Activate the harness release system or quick release located on
a leader line.
D1
- Perform a downwind course by body
dragging and using the power of the kite.
E1
- Relaunch a kite from the water.
- Wind the lines in the water and recover the kite.
- Perform a self-rescue in deep water.
- Launch a kite alone on land.
- Identify potential wind obstacles creating lift or down draft and
be able to define the wind direction. Understand that practice with
onshore wind is dangerous.
By the end of the intermediate program, you will
get up on the board for your first ride. During the course, you
will improve kite piloting with power, one hand kite piloting, body
dragging unhooked and hooked in to your harness. Perfect for those
who wish to practice a few times per year and rent equipment during
holidays.
F2
- Define if the practice area is safe for practice.
- Set up and check the equipment alone (kite, line, control bar).
G2
- Go away from the shore (with side-shore and side-on-shore wind)
while body dragging, go down wind and come back to the shore.
- In the water, pilot a kite with power from one side of the wind
window to the other, passing by the power area. The pilot must be
able to perform while piloting the kite at different heights from
the water.
- Perform the previously mentioned exercise while piloting with
one hand.
H2
- Know the water start theory: board
and body positioning, kite piloting.
- Recover the board in deep water and position the feet in the foot-straps
and keep the position while flying the kite.
I2
-Stand up on the board and ride while
moving the kite up and down.
- Tie the board leash alone.
- Set up a 4 line kite alone and check that it is properly done. Obligatory
at this point if it hasn’t been done before.
- Fly 4 line kite.
- Activate the safety systems of a 4 line bar (power loop, leash).
- Adjust a four line kite while using the power loop.
- Adjust the trim system of a 4 line kite to avoid it to fly backward
or to adjust the power.
Independent
Kiteboarder level 3 - 35
€ per hour
You will be able to ride upwind and do your first
jump! During this program, you will learn how to manage your practice
area and to choose your equipment. Your kite flying skills will
be improved and you will learn how to control your direction and
power, and come back to your starting point. You will be able to
fly more powerful kites. You will be use a twin tip, mutant or a
smaller directional board.
J3
- Know the right of way rules.
- Ride away from the shore and come back to the shore.
K3
- Edge on the heel and toe side to change the course.
- Accelerate by edging down and moving the kite.
- Stop by edging.
- Be able to keep an edge.
L3
- Ride away from the shore and come
back at starting point. Ride upwind.
- Constantly ride upwind.
M3
- Recover the board without the leash,
by body dragging upwind.
- Ride a twin tip. Optional if it has been done before.
- Switch of direction.
N3
- Know the theoretical approach to jumps.
- Perform a small jump and land it.
First
kitesurf school in Naxos, IKO affiliated since 2004, experience
the adrenaline rush of powered kite flying.
