Instructor Training – Water

Please see our Kitesports Training Calendar for course dates

General

All kitesurf Instructor Training Courses (ITC’s) are run in conjunction by or at British Kitesports Recognised Schools with the use of British Kitesports materials and recognised staff and are open to all kitesurfers of a suitable standard of riding proficiency / experience ( please see application form).

The aims have been to produce one recognised instructor training route for kitesurfing in the UK, to standardise the level of this training, to link British Kitesports training to a world based standard and replace all current licenses with one recognised license only. The British Kitesports ITC has been modified to include extra areas of training specific to the UK. The syllabus forms the core of the course package with further areas that include foil training as well as single skin kites, further safety inputs and the legal and administrative requirements that an instructor must be aware of when setting up their own school within the UK. The instructor training has been structured to be delivered on a modular bases, which means you may build up to your full qualification over a period of time and taking into account prior experience and qualifications.

Have a look at this short video shot in Spring 2021 at our training centre in Poole for an overview of the course.

British Kitesports Training career path and qualification levels

Instructor – 3 year qualification 

Pre requisites:

• Valid British Kitesports membership
• Shadow teaching x 12 hours
• Riding competency verified by a British Kitesports instructor
• RYA Powerboat Level 2
• Valid first aid certificate – minimum 1 day attended first aid course (online not accepted)

Instructor Training Course – 5 day course

• On Course completion Completion Certificate awarded
• Once post course action plan met and certified full Instructor status will be granted
• On certification you are able to teach within a British Kitesports recognised school
• An instructor can teach up to 4 students with two kites on the water once registered
• An instructor can teach intermediate levels, equipment tuning , improve technique, riding upwind, transitions and jumping

Level 2 Instructor – upgrade

Level 2 instructor status was created, to give you as the instructor, greater credibility by recognising you are no longer new to the game. It shows you have amassed hours and experience working within BKSA recognised schools. This qualification bridges the gap between Level 1 instructor status and becoming a senior.

Enrolment requirements

• Must be a Member of the British Kitesports Association
• BKSA Level 1 instructor
• 100 hours of logged teaching hours in a British Kitesports recognised school, 20 of which need     to be intermediate.
• Minimum 6 months/one season as a level one instructor.
• Have valid qualifications and be operating within the guidelines of the British Kitesports Association scheme.

Senior Instructor – 3 year qualification

Pre requisites:

• Valid British Kitesports membership
• Riding competency verified by a British Kitesports instructor
• RYA Powerboat L2
• Valid first aid certificate
• 200 Hours of logged teaching hours as an Instructor in a BKSA recognised school
• Minimum 6 months as a valid BKSA instructor

Senior Instructor Training – 2 day course

• Course completion Certificate gained
• Senior Instructor Qualification is required to teach and run a BKSA recognised school
• Can teach up to 4 students with two kites on the water once registered
• Can teach advanced coaching

Coach – yearly appointment 2 day course

Pre requisites

• Valid BKSA membership
• RYA Powerboat L2
• Valid first aid certificate
• Be a valid British Kitesports Senior Instructor
• Proven high level of competency in chosen Kitesports discipline
• High level of organisational, first aid, and course delivery abilities

It is a Pre requisite to have

• 150 Hours of logged teaching hours as an Instructor in a BKSA recognised school
• Minimum 6 months as a valid BKSA instructor

A coach may provide advanced coaching in UK and overseas

National Trainer / School inspector – yearly appointment

Pre requisites

• Valid BKSA membership
• Shadow teaching x 12 hours
• Riding competency verified by a BKSA instructor
• RYA Powerboat L2
• Valid first aid certificate
• 150 Hours of logged teaching hours as an Instructor in a BKSA recognised school
• Minimum 2 years as a valid BKSA instructor
• Valid Senior BKSA instructor
• Multiple location experience

National Trainer / School inspector

This is the minimum requirement to inspect schools on behalf of the BKSA, and to assist on revalidation courses and conversion courses.

Trainer Examiner– yearly appointment

Pre requisites

• Valid BKSA membership
• Shadow teaching x 12 hours
• Riding competency verified by a BKSA instructor
• RYA Powerboat L2
• Valid first aid certificate
• 150 Hours of logged teaching hours as an Instructor in a British Kitesports recognised school
• Minimum 3 years as a valid British Kitesports L1 instructor
• Valid Senior British Kitesports instructor or British Kitesports National Trainer
• Multiple location experience

Trainer Examiner

This is the minimum requirement to run British Kitesports Instructor Courses, Senior Instructor courses, revalidation courses and conversion courses.

Examiners selection process will usually involve some or all of the following elements

• On receipt of notification that British Kitesports training are running an examiner selection intake. Apply to British Kitesports Training with the correct application form.
• If selected for interview, attend a selection day process involving a short interview, delivered presentation and written exam.
• If successfully selected, a candidate will then be given a date for a British Kitesports ITC to shadow a current examiner.
• Post-shadow course, which is undertaken at the candidates cost. A brief review will take place with the Head of Training, and a further course identified to deliver under supervision. This course will be used as the assessment course prior to the candidates full license being granted. This course will be remunerated in part.
• Post the candidates assessed course delivery, either a full examiner license will granted for delivering British Kitesports Instructor courses, or an appropriate action plan identified to address any areas of concern.

British Kitesports Conversion course

If you are a licensed instructor with another reputable kiteboarding training scheme you can convert to the British Kitesports easily via a British Kitesports conversion course. Conversion courses can be run by any recognised British Kitesports Examiner at a recognised British Kitesports school.

Pre requisites:

• Valid British Kitesports membership
• Riding competency verified by a British Kitesports instructor
• RYA Powerboat L2
• Valid first aid certificate

The course is typically one day in duration and involves a teaching assessment, lecture on the British Kitesports scheme, recognised schools and legal requirements and guidelines. There is also a written exam. On completion of a British Kitesports conversion course a candidate will licensed as a British Kitesports instructor. If a candidate is at a higher level with a different training scheme an application maybe submitted to upgrade their license to a higher level. This will be considered by British Kitesports training. (Often this is done by following a short action plan.)

British Kitesports Revalidation course and instructor validity

It is a requirement to revalidate your British Kitesports license at least every three years in order to remain recognised as a British Kitesports instructor.

Pre requisites:

• Valid British Kitesports membership
• RYA Powerboat L2
• Valid first aid certificate

Failure to keep ALL certificates valid and up to date will render your qualification invalid immediately. There is a list of qualified instructors on the British Kitesports website.

Standards

Representatives, and persons wishing to representatives, must uphold (and have upheld) the highest standards of professional conduct at all times and adhere (and have adhered) to the Code of Conduct published on the British Kitesports website, as amended from time to time. If you are not on this list and want to be please contact [email protected]