Preliminary Training Questionnaire Results

[RickI]

A draft summary of some of the opinions reflected in the recent Kiteboarding Training Standardization and Certification Questionnaire appear below:

1. Responses were received from 45 kiteboarding industry leaders from around the world. These respondents included manufacturers, distributors, retailers, instructors/schools, media and kiteboarding association leadership.

2. Responses were received from NINE COUNTRIES from around the world and eleven states within the USA.

3. An overwhelming majority (96%) of the respondents kiteboard regularly.

4. More than half of the respondents (58%) have had professional kiteboarding training.

5. A strong majority (82%) of the respondents are members of kiteboarding associations.

6. An overwhelming majority (98%) STRONGLY PROMOTE KITEBOARDING TRAINING TO NEW KITEBOARDERS.

7. An overwhelming majority (87%) FELT THAT REQUIRING PROOF OF TRAINING OR FOR THE BUYER TO TAKE LESSONS WAS a good idea for the avoidance of problems and to aid the growth of revenues.

8. An overwhelming majority (96%) FELT THAT PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IS NECESSARY FOR THE SUSTAINED GROWTH OF KITEBOARDING.

9. A strong majority (80%) FELT THAT POORLY TRAINED RIDERS ARE THREATENING ACCESS IN THEIR AREA.

10. Close to half of the respondents (47 %) felt kiteboarding restrictions/bans are under consideration while well over a third (40 %), currently have restrictions in place in their area.

11. Over 1/3 (40%) felt that there was an inadequate quantity of good instructors in their area.

12. A strong majority (80%) felt that improvement in the qualifications and training of instructors is needed.

13. A strong majority (82%) felt that kiteboarding certification is necessary for the sustained growth of the kiteboarding industry.

SUGGESTED AREAS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION

There was strong variation in the required skills content recommended for a two level certification system. Several training organizations currently have criteria already in place for a multi-tiered certification program. Some of the selections represented less conventional but important areas of knowledge that may not be emphasized in some training programs currently. Also the duration for an introductory course also demonstrated a wide variation in responses. There was also substantial variation in instructor/student teaching ratios. More discussion points will arise as the analysis of the questionnaire and talks proceed. It would appear that a dialog about these two areas in particular along with other related subjects could be productive in trying to form a better consensus of opinion.

FURTHER QUESTIONNAIRE INFORMATION

I wish to thank everyone that took the time to complete the Kiteboarding Training Standardization and Certification Questionnaire. Your effort and opinions in this survey are sincerely appreciated. Your leadership should be reflected in future gains and reforms in the sport and business of kiteboarding. The responses are present in a spreadsheet titled:

"Questionnaire Responses 9-19-02 Final.xls "

And a draft spreadsheet summarizing the responses titled:

"Preliminary Questionnaire Analysis and Graphs "

both documents are located at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kitesurf/ ... tionnaire/

(make sure that all the above internet address information is cut and pasted into your browser window in order to properly link to this site. You will need to register with yahoogroups and the kitesurf email list to access this data)

Please refer to the above two documents for a more detailed representation of the response and opinions expressed. The summaries presented today have been pulled together in some haste. Analysis is still underway and changes and corrections will be made in portions of this documents. Also, please look over the comments provided from the respondents on the second tabbed page of Questionnaire SUMMARY 9-19-02. These comments provide important insights from many of these leading figures in kiteboarding.

Thank you,
Rick Iossi


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RickI on 2002-09-20 07:35 ]</font>

[Toby]

Hi Rick,

thx for the results.
really interesting and IMO we are heading the right way for the future with these attitudes.

Chees
Toby