IKO – Kitesurf Instructor Training Courses
Earn your certification as an international kitesurf instructor through Margarita Kite School’s IKO courses in Sri Lanka and travel the world while doing what you love.
The IKO Instructor certification is recognized internationally, opening up job opportunities in fantastic locations around the world.
To become an IKO instructor, you need to complete two five-day courses: the Assistant Trainer Course (ATC) and the Instructor Training Course (ITC).
* ATC – Assistant Training Course
The ATC covers essential theoretical knowledge, including weather patterns, wind and tide information, and kite aerodynamics. It also includes practical skills like equipment maintenance, beach management, and teaching demonstrations. This ATC course is a prerequisite for the ITC and provides the foundational knowledge needed to become an IKO instructor. Online learning resources are available before the course begins.
* ITC- Instructor Training Course
The ITC focuses on teaching kitesurfing, covering instructional psychology and methodology, and the IKO lesson plan. You will get ample teaching practice, observation, and feedback before instructing your own beginner students at the course’s end.
These courses are designed for experienced kite surfers (see prerequisites below). However, if you are new to kitesurfing, you can join our intensive progression course and become an IKO instructor in twelve weeks, starting from scratch.
If you are an experienced IKO Level 4 kitesurfer who can perform jumps, grabs, and transitions, you can join our ATCs and ITCs courses listed below. If you need more practice to reach that level, we can provide tailored coaching before the course.
Dates & fees
ATC - 25th - 29th August
Assistant Training Course- ATC Module 1 eLearning materials and manual.
- ATC Module 2 In Person-Training at an IKO Center (5 days – 40 hours).
- The Assistant certification when you demonstrate the required level.
- IKO Plus Membership with professional and recreational liability insurance (insurance coverage starts on the first day of the course and lasts for one year)
ITC - 31st August - 4th September
Instructor Training Course- 5-day course with an Examiner.
- The Level 1 Instructor Certification is awarded after demonstrating the required skills and successfully passing all examinations.
- IKO Plus Membership with professional and recreational liability insurance (insurance coverage starts on the first day of the course and lasts for one year)
To enroll in the instructor course, follow these steps:
1- Register on the IKO website.
2- Sign up online for the ATC and ITC programs.
ATC & ITC courses, the first steps into your professional career as a kite instructor
By completing your ITC, you aim to earn your Level 1 IKO instructor certification. This credential allows you to start teaching kitesurfing not only in Asia, but anywhere in the world. With it, you will be able to certify your own students and apply for positions at kiteboarding schools globally. As a Level 1 instructor, you can manage two students with one kite. All IKO instructors are certified and insured, which will give you an additional advantage.
The next goal is to advance to Level 2 instructor. To achieve this, you need to log a specific number of teaching hours as a Level 1 instructor and pass an online examination. With a Level 2 certification, you can establish your own IKO kiteboarding school or become a lead instructor at an existing one. This level of certification also makes you more desirable to employers at kitesurf schools, who often prefer instructors with proven experience and expertise.
ITC prerequisites
To join an IKO Kitesurf Instructor Training Course (ITC), you need to meet specific experience and qualification criteria set by the IKO. These prerequisites include:
- Being at least 18 years old.
- Holding an IKO Level 4 kiteboarding certification, which involves skills such as jumping with a grab, executing a jump transition, riding toe-side upwind, recovering your board in deep water, body dragging to recover a rider, performing a self-rescue in deep water, and self-launching and landing a kite (these skills will be assessed during the ITC).
- Possessing a valid first aid and CPR certification that is less than two years old.
- Completing the Assistant Training Course (ATC).
- Demonstrating fluency in reading, writing, and speaking in English
- Signing the IKO waiver form.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't have a valid first aid and CPR certification. Can I still enroll in the course?
Yes, you can. We offer a first aid course one day before the ITC. It lasts 6 hours and costs $100 USD.
What do I need to bring with me?
- Your kitesurfing equipment
- Lycra and board shorts
- Helmet
- Impact vest or buoyancy aid
- Pens in various colors, a pencil, and an eraser
- Notepaper
- Laptop or tablet
Where can I stay during the course?
At Margarita Kite Camp, we offer a range of accommodation options to suit your needs, including special deals for our future instructors
