Bigwavedave said...


"How dodgy is the IKO getting?"

What so an insurance company based in the dominican republic that almost certainly wont provide any real protection in a moment of trouble wasn't dodgy enough already?...

I don't know why everyone uses them to begin with. Why doesn't everyone in Australia just boycott them and suss out there own thing?

Believe it or not, local councils have been convinced that IKO standards are the best.

IMHO the kiting world body, or national associations should be controlling instructors.

Not a commercial company based in the Carribean

Robbo, I hear ya.

Instructors don't earn enough to cover the IKO fees anymore. After 6 years and $$ out of my pocket, I have to let my membership go.

Noone has ever asked me except the council.

600 happy customers have never complained.

I used to use them for insurance but it's no longer available or valid.

Just pissed off that I paid a grand to do a course and actually earned a qualification that I'm no longer entitled to.

Saffer said...

Not to defend the IKO but you'll find continued education is standard in a number of industries and the only way you can ensure that people remain up to date with the latest technology or changes in the industry. In project management, PMI requires a lot more to keep your certification current which includes self study, recognized courses, experience etc. This ensures that those certified by the body are forced to keep up to date to keep their qualification.

Out of interest sake, why would you have an issue doing a course which teaches you how to teach people with health conditions? Surely you have people attempting Kiteboarding who have a range of medical conditions which include back injuries, knee injuries etc so surely being able to teach them in the safest manner is in the best interests of the sport?

I have no problem with education. But the same points are available by purchasing products. That makes it a money grab.

Teaching people with health conditions is part of the original course.

Visit their website. www.ikorg.com

Seems they are working to the model of the Fitness Council of Australia who register fitness trainers and personal trainers.

Same story, every 2 years, one must accumulate 18 CEC's (Continuing Education Credits) to be able to re apply for registration, and thereby qualify for public liability insurance.

Starts out as a good idea. Obviously having personal trainers, kite instructors etc who are continually learning and keeping up to date with new industry developments is a positive thing.

Gradually, that ugly element of human nature, greed creeps in. The fox's in charge of the hen house get greedy.

Same things happened, more CEC's for attending courses run by fraternal friends, buying certain merchandise, etc etc. Predatory profiteering, nepotism and cronyism run rampant and unchecked.

The government has by now totally outsourced authority and responsibility for this activity and the administering of registration to this 'governing body' by now. The 'governing body' become an entity, bound only to themselves.

This has been going on in the fitness industry for 30 odd years now. If that history is anything to go by, this is not going to change in the kitesurfing industry.

Eventually some people with worthwhile skills and intentions get to the point where the return for effort and expense balance swings into unfavorable territory, and they drop out.

Sounds to me like this is where you are now Bigwavedave.

Damn shame.

well now anyone can come to nz and become an instructor in 10 weeks for $11 000 - no kitesurfing experience necessary (I am not joking)

IKO sactioned - how'd u like that?

The thing with me is I really do not wish to instruct anymore.

So I wasn't bluffing when I emailed them stating, I wish to cease teaching.

I even requested, on more than one occassion, they take me off the list of instructors on the website.

I'll let you know what happens in November

Isn't there a pomy organisation that is similar in function? Or is that one no better?

I know some guys who have their own insurance with public liability far in excess of what IKO will cover you for (which wouldn't be hard now haha). I don't think they have ever lost a sale because they weren't "IKO qualified" They even have council approval etc.
Point being maybe have a look around and scope out what you really need and where you can get a good deal. IKO really is useless.

Doesn't surprise me........IKO need to provide a service, and if all they are is a scam, then people will find alternatives that will work even better for all concerned.

As I plan to do some instructing this year, I thought I would take the IKO course with Darren, but I would like to hear what he is planning to do.

Sounds like it might just be worth going with the Pom org. if one needs some sort of Council approved paper to get money for teaching; this I think we can not avoid because all organisations need things to do and thus make some non-sensical rules............but hey that is the way it is, so we need to make the most of it within the bounds given.

With regard to teaching, I agree with Airhead.........I had lessons, but have also taught my daughter and others. I recon I have the time and experience, and thus do a good job. I love giving the stoke to others in a responsible way.

Thanks for putting up some facts BWD. As I don't want to join an organisation that is just a money grab and does not provide a service aside for "insurance." We can all get our own insurance or ignore it because at the end of the day.........it is mostly the lawyers who win, regardless.

Good to be back in WA, but man did I fall in love with SA.......what a beautiful state......very nice people, and simply stunning nature....Mt. Gambier was the surprise. And Rowdy...the skate park in Adelaide was 100% full of scooters, saw a guy to a double whip.........cool, but not for me.

To be fair, The IKO coarse to learn to be an instructor was great, and i found the coarse material very useful, I do not have an issue with the money spent to become an instructor. I do however have an issue with the renewal, apparently after 2years teaching loads of students around the globe (which IKO gets a slice from with the issue of iko cards to students), I somehow need either more education on how to teach or need to buy stuff that i don't need like IKO books etc.

To be clear i do not advocate teaching without having taken the IKO coarse or BKSA etc, Just cos you can kite don't mean you can teach, honestly!

choicey said...

The only thing good about the IKO is the teaching procedure and methodology behind it. That of course depends on the instructor/examiner.

I did my IKO with darren Marshall in 2006, back then it cost $700. Even if you didnt want to instruct, Darren's programme was very informative and worth every cent.

Dave

yep .I did mine with Darren too and worth every cent .

kitesurfbali said...

Hello guys,
actually is pretty easy to take action!!!
Just do not renew your IKO Level 2. I cancel mine last year and never looked back...
Just mention in your curriculum: Kite instructor since 2.... !!! over 900 students served Ex. IKO. Level ....

I guess that makes you look better then a current IKO licence.

Just let me tell you the story of what is happening here!!!
Guys who learn how to kite last year, become a decent rider in January...
Still had to be rescue numerous times when crash the kite...
Become Level 1 IKO instructor 13 of March.

Open New Kite School, become IKO center and suddenly become IKO level 2 instructor in May...

We did not have any wind in Bali between March and May!!!!
He did not travel abroad and he did not work for any other schools and therefore he couldn't have taught the 180 hours required..

Everyone know this here... The guy is loaded of money and he think that with money he can buy everything!

The guy has no intention to teach at all but like this he got the IKO CENTER LABEL he gave out Assistant Instructor diploma to his assistant and now he is organizing an ITC in September...

So you understand how much $$$$ he is bringing to IKO... That is why when I informed IKO about this they do not take any action...

I actually do not care if this guy open 1 or 100 schools but before he can go around and tell to everyone how he is such a big level 2 Instructor IKO he need to sweat in the water like we all did...
To me this is a disgrace..
I heard about this kind of stories before but couldn't really believe it..
Now that I know 100% I don't want to be anymore involve with IKO..
Bye Jankie

PS. The school of the guy just after one year is already Bankrupt!!!!
Others school that are not IKO are still going strong...

I'm heading to Bali on Sunday, any wind lately Jankie ?

Here's what I recieved. I have 60 hours up. they wouldn't log any students as they reckoned I didn't teach any one student from level 1 through to level 3.

No mention of cep's or extra courses. Now I'm not sure if that's a automated letter they mail out. One would think it would include some extra detail pretaining to uncompleted requirements. Eg You need to progress to level 2 first. You need extra cep's and so on. You need current boat and first aid renewal copies.

It will be interesting to see if they do take me off the list or continue to try and stitch up some renewal fees.

Dear ****,

Please be aware that your IKO membership will expire in 60 days, on **/12/2010.

Don't delay in renewing your membership! In order to be considered a valid IKO Instructor, you must hold current IKO membership. Failure to renew in time will result in loss of access to your “My IKO Pro” account and suspension of Pro membership privileges. Late renewals also incur an additional $30 US late fee, so renew today and avoid risking having to pay the additional charge.

Once you complete the renewal process, your membership will be extended for 2 years from your current expiry date without interruption, and you will receive no more reminder emails.

How much is your membership renewal fee? Check out the pricing list below:

Assistant Instructor: 85 US$
Level 1 Instructor: 80 US$
Level 2 Instructor: 70 US$
Level 2 Senior Instructor: 65 US$
Examiner: 60 US$
Training Master: 60 US$

To complete the renewal process, please log in to your online profile at www.ikointl.com and click the “Renew Membership” tab on the left hand side of the page. You will then be taken to the Paypal page where you can complete payment. If for some reason you are unable to pay with Paypal, please contact us at [email protected] and we will provide you with the necessary details to pay via bank transfer.

Thank you in advance for your continued membership with IKO, the international standard for Kiteboarding certification.

Best regards,

The IKO Team