Sorry mate, didn't mean to make light, I actually misread the sentence anyway, now that I take my time over it it makes more sense. I did try and keep it relevant with the question about the second hand scuba gear.

In the spirit of keeping this on track, let me try and recollect some thoughts from a few years back. Similar things were happening, though probably not as much, however with the gear as it was then there were many more injuries than there are now. Less depower kites, less reliable safety releases, no fifth lines, all that stuff. People were getting smashed into beaches just as much as now, even though there were less kiters around. Suggestions to introduce a licensing system were commonplace and there were the fors and againsts, as there are now.

What was already in place (and still is I believe) and could have been at least a starting place for the license was the IKO card. Issued by IKO instructors after a formal assessment. This would have been the card you were talking about Aciiiid. I got two of them, one after each of my lessons, the latest one having the highest level I got to marked off.

This would probably be fine for newbies who have just done lessons, but I have no idea where my card is now, probably in landfill somewhere. Then of course there are the people who never got lessons from IKO instructors, yet are still competent kiteboarders. People who were taught by mates or instructional videos and managed to survive the process and get to a competent level anyway. This would mean a formal assessment would have to be taken by anyone wanting to acquire a card. It would be pretty brief and straightforward, so probably cheap, but a lot of people would put up a fight about it. And who would do it? Are there enough IKO instructors out there? It would be a pretty big task.

Then there's the policing of the thing. I'm pretty sure AKSA got mentioned from the Australian point of view, but I can't remember in what capacity. Some of the reasons for AKSA are to help maintain access and promote safety, so I'm sure they'd be a useful resource to put to the task. And the regional committees of course.

But where should the policing occur? On the beach by council rangers, representatives of the other stakeholders in public safety? They already have a system as we know at Cott, and other beaches on the East coast I believe, however there is no formal certification of a kiters competency in becoming an AKSA member. Just a loose 'agreement' to kite safely. I do believe this is more about liability insurance than the kiter's safety, unfortunately.

Let us add to this, just as it's getting complicated, the marine legislation. International boating law, and regional laws. As it slowly evolves all over the country it is starting to notice kiteboarders in some way or another here and there. A complete licensing system would have to take this into account in some way or another, one would think.

Then there's the question about international kiteboarding. Foreigners kiting here, and locals kiting overseas. Would this whole idea be better off being taken up on an international level? It was discussed on www.kiteforum.com for a while at just such an international level, I've stopped logging in there though, that forum has just gone to the dogs in my opinion. Someone serious about championing this cause might want to start there in fact, get a few more ideas.

I'm tending to agree with you here Blaster, as kiting gets huge (and there's no sign of it slowing down yet) there could be a very real need for a licensing system, maybe in ten years, maybe we should start developing it in two. I do like the diving comparison though, not so much as the history behind it as the administration of it. Not the fact that PADI or the other ones are commercial organisations and want to sell training, but that it's adhered to around the world (reasonably well anyway) and generally accepted. If we end up needing licenses for kiteboarding that is what we should aim for.

It will take a lot of effort to get set up though, and there will have to be a lot of people involved. I don't envy anyone the task. Perhaps a dedicated committee one day? Australian, International? So many questions, so few answers.

So there's my two bob, hopefully enough to redeem the careless comment of above. Just my personal opinion and shaky recollections though.

I've seen the IKO cards and even though had 10 lessons before I felt safe enough to go out with my own gear I never received one.

We are considered the same as small boating craft hence shouldn't we have to get a licence like boaters and given the rules of the waterway when we pass?

Living in QLD now it's so obvious that the boat license is a bit pathetic as there are people out there buying big boats and passing the simple test with no experience whatsoever...it can cause mayhem on the water at weekends.

What about making it like a driving license...you have to have a provisional for a year before you can get your full license and be able to show a certain level of competence.

It's a difficult one but possible and very important not to brush under the carpet. I'd like to hear that accidents are going down and not up and I never want to witness one again...once is too many.

Don't teach your friends or girlfriend unless you are an IKO instructor.

doesn't help that IKO is only good for insurance.
mates teaching mates is fine, its the beginners teaching their friends that is plain old stupid.
I taught a friend, he was safer than most of the noobs that have had IKO lessons because I wasn't charging him thus he had guidance beyond what the IKO guys get without paying over $600.
kite at spots like peli long enough and you see everything, i often notice things like an incorrectly connected leash [that would send the kite into loops] or hopelessly untuned kites. never have i seen this with a competent kiter teaching their friends.

[competent means at least kiteloops and unhooked stuff as a measure of understanding but everyone progresses differently]

Update:

Looks like he's going to be discharged from hospital early next week, then it's 3 months in neck brace at this stage.