It takes time to become a good kiteboarding instructor.
I’m not talking about the years spent riding. I’m talking about the time actually spent teaching this sport.
Simple truths about good kiteboarding instructors:
- The best instructors love to teach. They don’t burnout and they always want to improve.
- No one is good at teaching kite board lessons, until they’ve taught at least 100 lessons.
- Kite board instructors who taught kiteboarding in strong winds, don’t instantly know how to teach in light winds, and visa versa.
- A good instructor will teach their students from a beginners mindset … your instincts are wrong for kite boarding. Good instructors will train the student how to over-ride those instincts with skills training, rather than words alone.
- Good kite board instructors will only teach, what Is Safe to do. Not what they Feel is safe because they’re with you.
- A good instructor exemplifies what they teach … Safe Actions, Good Manors, and Advanced riding Skills.
Warning Signs:
- Does your instructor spend more time flying the kite than you do?
- Does your instructor have trouble keeping the kite flying?
- Does your instructor fail to give you a helmet and lifejacket?
- Does your instructor allow you to drag/ride towards other people?
- Did your instructor fail to teach you how to Kill the kite?
- Does your instructor say they’re certified, but their not?
- Does your instructors car look like they actually use it as a home?
- Did your instructor tie a rope to the back of your harness?
- Did your instructor ever get rescued by their own student?
- Does your instructor have trouble riding the board ?
- Does your instructor only have one size of kite for teaching lessons?
- Does your instructor spend a lot of lesson time relaunching the kite?
- Did your instructor tell you to wear a board leash?
- Does your instructor have more students than 2 students in the water at a time?
- Does your instructor get warned about safety issues, from other instructors on the beach?
- Did your instructor forget to have you sign a waiver?
Good Signs:
- Your instructor has a valid business license for that city.
- Your instructor is listed on the IKO or PASA or BKSA web site as an instructor , and is in good standing.
- Your instructor has been teaching full time for more than 1 year in your environment.
- Your instructor uses newer gear and has other sizes of kites for use in the lesson.
- Your instructor makes you wear a helmet and life jacket during the lesson.
- Your instructor is currently certified and insured to teach kiteboading.
- Your instructor has an informative and original looking web site.
- Your instructors priority is your safety and the safety of others.
- Your instructor is one of the best riders in your area and they adhere to safe practices.
- Your instructor is nice and patient, but they motivate you to practice skills on your own time as well.
- Your instructor returns your calls and answers your questions freely.
- You are actually getting good at flying the kite and keeping it flying.
- You actually understand what you are being taught and why.
- You actually have confidence in yourself and the skills you’ve learned.
Good luck and be safe!