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The course offers all the information you need too be a good instructor, plus documentation and reference guides. The practical exercises, like boat launch, self rescue, evaluation of spot, evaluation of your student etc are all thorough. The problem with the course and any course for that matter is that it takes many lessons to gain enough experience to train someone well and safely. The iko course will teach you the same if not better than any other course. However experience can only be gained from teaching many students. Although a lot of posts on this forum criticises iko, they would also criticise any other organisation, just for the sake of having a say. Kiwimike runs his own course so obviously he has other motives than to get back a few bucks. Do the course it will improve your knowledge, make you a better and responsible kiter and give you the tools to become a good, safe instructor.

Agreed Timop

Just completed the course.
Thought it was excellent. Very thorough...I would recommend it to anyone considering being an instructor...god knows there are MANY, MANY launches that could use a few standards in place before access is lost entirely...expert examiner, great feedback, worth every penny.
Hats off to IKO

Great to hear the course was good NYkiter! Good luck with u r lessons going forward!

NYKiter wrote:Just completed the course.
Thought it was excellent. Very thorough...I would recommend it to anyone considering being an instructor...god knows there are MANY, MANY launches that could use a few standards in place before access is lost entirely...expert examiner, great feedback, worth every penny.
Hats off to IKO

So where did you take the course?

New York Kite Center on Long Island.
Hefty hotels so I stayed at the wading river state park campground for $18 a night.

The owner of the shop is very fair. There were 6 other candidates who were traveling to work at destinations like Brazil, Thailand and Peru after the course. They have a nice shallow marsh area to work with students on the southern end of the island.

I believe another lesson is coming up next month. Get your 1st aid cpr and free online boating certificate in before starting up the course.

Looks like a great place to take the course (in the summer ). Did you take the assistant course previously or did you document your assistant time some other way?

NYKiter wrote:Just completed the course.
Thought it was excellent. Very thorough...I would recommend it to anyone considering being an instructor...god knows there are MANY, MANY launches that could use a few standards in place before access is lost entirely...expert examiner, great feedback, worth every penny.
Hats off to IKO

A few Questions.

1. Is there any IKO requirement that their INSTRUCTORS wear helmets when kiting as part of an effort to set a good example ? The answer to this question unequivocally reveals their TRUE safety concerns.

2. Did you get a copy of anything that you signed ? The answers to this and questions 3-5 reveals how transparent and truthful they are concerning their TRUE goals (since the answer to #1 will reveal that it can NOT be to promote kiting safety).

3. Did you have to sign any kind of release or waiver which released any OTHER entity besides the establishment you were at ?

4. Did they go over an actual copy of the "insurance" which was a major reason for your (and others) wanting their "certification" ? If so, was a copy provided as part of the course material for you to study separately or if you wanted to show it to a knowledgeable expert ?

5. Did they provide any document alleging that it specified ALL the costs which you will be required to incur in order to maintain instructor status and/or progress to higher instructor status ?

6. Did their instruction cover things like how to give instruction both in and/or regarding problems associated with ocean problems such as surf, seaweed, kelp, jellyfish, etc., or deal with problems caused by locations with bad footing (such as caused by coral, rocks etc), strong currents (as at some surf or river locations), how to explain to novices the pros AND cons of virtually all kitesurfing choices (other than helmet use), etc. The answer to this question indicates the thoroughness and therefore value of the supposed "certification" regarding being able to give relevant instruction if the particular requirements of a location are not the same as the presumably generic requirements upon which the course is based.

Richard M.
Malibu Kitesurfing - since 2002
(310) - 430 - KITE (5483)
http://www.MalibuKitesurfing.NET
kfRichard@MalibuKitesurfing.NET

I didnt notice any similar items on your website.
Are you insured? If so, by who?

NYKiter wrote:New York Kite Center on Long Island.
Hefty hotels so I stayed at the wading river state park campground for $18 a night.

The owner of the shop is very fair. .

John is a good guy. There are a lot of closer camping options in Suffolk County Parks although you may need to reserve earlier.