If you’re learning to kitesurf, you’ll see the letters IKO everywhere. But what does IKO kitesurfing certification actually mean for you, and why does it matter where you learn? Here’s a simple guide.
What Is the IKO?
The International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) was founded by two kiteboarders, Frédéric Béné and Eric Beaudonnat, with one goal: making the sport safer as it grew. Today it’s the largest kiteboarding organization in the world, with certified centers in more than 60 countries.
To keep the same quality everywhere, the IKO created a set of standards for teaching, safety and equipment, built on years of feedback from instructors and riders around the world.
Why Only Certified Centers Can Use the IKO Name
An IKO certified lesson needs two things: an instructor with a valid IKO membership, and a center that has passed the IKO affiliation process, proving it offers a structured, safe teaching environment.
That’s why only affiliated IKO Centers may use the IKO name and logo to promote their courses. A school that simply employs IKO instructors, but isn’t affiliated itself, isn’t allowed to advertise as IKO. So when you see the IKO logo on a school, it’s a promise that both the teaching and the center meet the standard.
Your IKO Kitesurfing Certification
At the end of your course, your instructor records your riding level in the IKO system, and you get access to your IKO certification card. It’s recognized by IKO centers in more than 60 countries, which means:
- You can rent equipment at kite spots around the world, because the center can see your level.
- You can continue your training anywhere, picking up exactly where you left off.
- You have a clear record of your progress, from your very first lesson to independent riding.
Learn at Sharm El Sheikh’s IKO Certified Center
The Kite Bubble is the only IKO certified kitesurfing school in Sharm El Sheikh. Our instructors are all IKO qualified, and our IKO kitesurfing courses take you from your first lesson all the way to becoming an instructor yourself. Want to know more about what makes a certified instructor different? Read why IKO certified instructors matter.
Ready to earn your IKO kitesurfing certification? Contact us and we’ll help you choose the right course.
