Want to Learn How to Kiteboard?

We're looking forward to yet another exciting year of kiteboarding lessons in Ontario. For our 9th year we've expanded our teaching staff, refined our lesson programs for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced students and added weekends Kite Camp for the ultimate experience. As the only kite school in Canada with a resident pro rider, KiteRider continues to offer top quality instruction on the latest 2010 gear from Best and DaKine.

Check out our lesson program and pick what suits your needs best. Then give us a call to take your skills to the next level.

Why you should take lessons

Safety
Kiteboarding is an extreme sport that can be fun and safe if you take the right precautions and use the equipment correctly. Learn how to kiteboard using the latest safety gear, procedures and techniques.

Equipment Education
There are so many types of kites and boards available today for different conditions and riding styles. Our school is a great place to learn about the multitude of equipment available and what equipment is best suited to you and your skill level.

Save Money
You will save more money by taking a lesson than you would trying to learn on your own. Why trash your new equipment when you can take lessons using our school's kites, boards, and accessories?

IKO Certified Kiteboarding Instructional Program

Kitesurfing is the fastest growing watersport in the world. With proper training and equipment, you can experience the freedom of riding with the power of thw wind. You don't have to learn how to surf, you just need an open mind to learn this new and exciting sport.

We employ an instructional program certified by the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) taught by IKO qualified instructors.

Our goal is to teach all our students to be able to kiteboard safely and autonomously. The IKO program is sectioned into different skill levels that can be achieved by students during their learning process. After the lesson, students are evaluated and certified with an IKO Kiteboarder Card stating their level. By presenting this card (similar to a PADI card for SCUBA diving) to any IKO center worldwide, the student can continue their training, rent equipment suited to their level, or receive discounts on goods and services.

IKO Program Summary

Discovery Kiteboarder Program

The best way to discover Kiteboarding!

Discover Kiteboarding and elevate your water sports experience! The IKO Kiteboarding programs are designed to help you learn in a safe way. Your IKO instructor will respect your rythm and take you through all the steps to reach your goals.

Your level will be certified with your IKO Kiteboarder Card at the end of your lesson, or you can move on to the next level of riding!

Enjoy!

Kiteboarder Level 1:

Level 1A

• Can determine safe conditions for training site and is able to identify hazards through a spot assessment.
• Can set-up the trainer kite* (inflatable or foil). Understands and can simulate use of its safety systems.
  
  *a kite that doesn't have enough power to make the student fall

Level 1B

• Can launch and land the trainer kite with an assistant.
• Can demonstrate basic flying skills with trainer kite: control the kite on the edge of the wind window and use the powerzone and specific flying patterns on request.
• Can twist and untwist the lines while flying and is able to walk and change directions with the kite flying.

Level 1C

• Can set-up 4/5-line kite with a full depower system including pre-flight checks and ground handling.
• Understands and can use the international communication signs.
• Can assist for launching and landing. Can launch and land the kite to an assistant (4/5-line depower kite).

Level 1D

• Can control the kite hooked into the harness, understands the depower system and can use the safety systems.
• Can demonstrate advanced flying skills with the depower kite (foil or inflatable that can easily be relaunched from the water), showing full control of depower systems in flight.
• Can recover the bar and kite, can perform kite self landing.

Level 1E

• Can enter and exit the water independently and safely while controlling the kite.
• Can water relaunch a kite.
• Can perform first bodydrag.

Intermediate Kiteboarder Program

Once you complete this program, you will start riding on the board. You will be ready to continue to the next level of riding and become an independant kiteboarder!

Kiteboarder Level 2:

Level 2F

• Can bodydrag downwind showing an understanding of the correct kite position in the wind window.
• Can show change of direction to the left and right when bodydragging, using correct kite positioning.
• Can recover the kite and bar in the water.

Level 2G

• Can recover board by bodydragging.
• Can bodydrag one handed and use the board to bodydrag upwind.
• Can enter and exit at the same point body dragging.
• Is able to demonstrate the power stroke as for a water start.

Level 2H

• Can demonstrate an understanding of weather forecast, tidal- and wind effects.
• Can determine the wind strength, direction and quality.
• Knows the right of way rules.

Level 2I

• Knows how to set up a board and ability to choose the right type for specific conditions.
• Knows safety rules and theory for water start.
• Is able to choose and maintain riding direction.

Independent Kiteboarder Program

Once you have completed this program, you will be able to start jumping and you will be a truly independant rider! Kiteboarding is a sport that is easy to travel with, so go explore different locations, water surfaces and wind strengths! Check the list of IKO affiliated schools to choose your location!

Kiteboarder Level 3:

Level 3J

• Can put the board on the feet and maintain the correct position for the water start.
• Can water start in both directions.

Level 3K

• Can ride a short distance.
• Control the riding speed and stop.

Level 3L

• Can ride amongst other riders and water users respecting the right of way rules.
• Is able to change direction without stopping.

Level 3M

• Can ride in any direction on request.
• Can demonstrate a self-rescue and full pack-down in the water.
• Snow an awareness and assessment of the risks for the area.
• Is able to self launch.

Level 3N

• Knows the theory and the safety rules for jumping.
• Can demonstrate and land a basic jump.