Intro
Kitesurfing Courses
Whether you’re just starting out, looking for coaching to progress to the next level or want to nail your next freestyle move – you need a kitesurfing course!
Although you can learn to kitesurf using your mate’s gear down at the local beach, we highly recommend taking a professionally taught kitesurfing course in a safe environment using kit designed for training. Not only will you progress MUCH more quickly but, you will be safer, and enjoy it more. Plus our courses take place in warm, sunny locations with beautiful clear water!
Waveriders staff are kitesurfers (including an instructor) with personal experience of the destinations we offer, so making sure you are on the right course is what we do.
At each of our holiday destinations we have hand picked the kitesurfing centres to make sure you are kitesurfing from the best spot and get the best possible facilities and support. Each centre has a different personality, kite brands and beach conditions, so please see our individual resort pages for full details.
If you have any particular questions about learning or the courses, please give Julius a call on 01273 224069.
Beginner
Beginner courses
Your beginner course starts by teaching you the flying skills needed to keep you safe and in control of your kite. Once you are comfortable with the kite, you will move to the water and learn body-dragging and water-relaunching, before moving on to using the board and techniques for water-starting. The aim of a beginner course is to get you standing up on the board and riding a short distance.
Courses range from 6 -12 hours, depending on what you want to achieve, spread over a few days. Of course the speed at which you progress depends on many things including wind conditions, water conditions, how quickly you learn to use the kite and your fitness level, so it is very difficult to say how long it will take for you to get up and riding.
We recommend taking at least a 10 hour course spread over 4 or 5 days. This works really well for a weeks holiday, giving you enough time to rest between sessions with the kite as well as just relaxing or doing other activities.
Many of our destinations are superb for learning to kitesurf, but it does depend on the time of year you want to go – so please take a look at our calendar to see when’s best to go where.
Progression
Progression courses
Our progression sessions are for those that are currently able to water-start, but not consistently, and kitesurf short distances. You will be looking to master upwind riding, slide transitions and controlled jumps.
Your course would normally start by recapping safety and water skills before moving onto IKO level 3 skills modules (see IKO Levels tab above). Options range from a standard 6 hour IKO level 3 course to a more bespoke programme that can include private coaching and supervised rental.
All our destinations are superb for progressing your kitesurfing skills, dependent on the time of year you are looking to travel – so please take a look at our calendar to see when’s best to go where.
Freerider
Freerider courses
As a freerider your skills will vary, but you should be at least consistently upwind, landing controlled jumps, and attempting if not successfully completing back or front loops. You will be looking to advance your freestyle skills or wave ride.
At all of our centres we can arrange bespoke programmes to meet your aims. This might be a semi-private lesson, private lesson with video analysis, or simply kite service (storage and rescue service).
If you are looking to perfect your next freestyle move we do offer special trips such as our Jo Wilson Kitesurfing Clinic (Soma Bay in 2010) as well as specific courses such as our ‘Learn to Wave ride’ session in Fuerteventura. Please call for details – 01273 224069.
Holiday Packages
Our Holiday Packages
At each of our resorts we have put together a well-priced holiday package that comes complete with an appropriate course for your level. Please take a look at the individual resort pages for full details.
These are based on our personal experience of the destination and take into account the proximity of the accommodation to the centre and the best tuition options for the local conditions.
If you’re looking for a different duration, alternative accommodation or a more intensive course, we can tailor a holiday to your specific requirements. We can also include flights – please call us on 01273 224 069.
IKO Levels
IKO Levels
Most courses follow, or are similar to, the levels established by the IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation). These levels are set out below and can be used to assess your ability level and then choose an appropriate course.
Kiteboarder Level 1 on land (4-6 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 (4-6 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 ft 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 (4-6 hours)
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
