FAQ's

RAIN CHECK POLICY

It is our policy that all lessons are prepaid upon booking to assure a time slot and a

position with an instructor, equipment and/or Personal Watercraft. In the event of a

postponement or a cancellation, you will be rescheduled for the earliest available lesson

slot. Lessons that are cancelled due to the weather will be issued a rain check equal to

the value of the lesson and will be valid for indefinite time and can be transferred to

someone else. Rain Checks can be redeemed for lessons or equipment at Ikarus

Kiteboarding. No show and/ or no call will result in no refund and no rain check. It is

our goal to get you riding and we will do everything possible to get you out there.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All lessons can be cancelled or rescheduled up to 24 hours before the scheduled lesson

time with no penalty. Lessons cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours of the lesson

will be charged a $70 us reschedule fee. Cancelled lessons will be issued a Rain Check

for the amount of the lesson price.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are your instructors certified?
All our instructors are certified by the IKO and /or PASA . We are also certified for First Aid and CPR.

What marine support vehicles do you have?

Jetski Kawasaki 1100 (3 person) for water lesson support & wakeboarding

Mako 21 foot Centre Console (9 person) downwinder support & deep water rescue

What do I need to bring?

Suntan lotion
Rash guard/boardshorts
Wetsuit (spring & fall)
Sun glasses
Water
Hat
Camera (optional)

Can I get a kiteboarder certification card?
Yes, we follow the IKO program which is a progression of skill levels 1, 2 and 3.

Do you conduct lessons year round?
The water lesson season in Ontario is from April to October. During this time we receive consistent winds needed for conducting lessons. Although you may see people kiteboarding in the fall and winter, the wind during this period is too cold and inconsistent for us to be able to schedule and conduct effective lessons.

How many hours is your lesson program?
Our lesson program offers numerous opportunites to meet the needs of beginners, intermediate and advanced riders. Students can pick from single day lessons to multi day kite camps. See our lesson program for more details.

Can I complete the beach and water sessions on same day?
It is possible to cover both sessions on the same day in our popular One Day Beginner's special. However most students prefer the 2 day Weekend Beginner's package to become competent enough to be certified at one of the 3 IKO kiteboarder levels. Previous trainer kite experience is recommended.

How many students are there in a class?
We usually pair 2 students with 1 instructor. We feel that this is the best ratio for safety as well as learning. During the lesson, the 2 students will learn faster by watching and assisting each other. As the lesson progresses, the instructor will do less and less and the students will do everything on their own.

What can I do before the class?

Fly a trainer kite to learn flying skills we can get one to you. This gives you such a head start and you can do it when ever you have time.
Keep yourself in good physical shape

What equipment do you provide during the lessons?
We will provide trainer kites & 4-line inflatable bow kites in small sizes (5m, 7m, 9m) for land training, 4-line inflatable bow kites in larger sizes (12m, 14m, 16m) for water training, twin-tip boards, impact vest (optional) and helmet.

What happens when you are scheduled for a lesson?

Meet in Sauble Beach at our KiteRider shop on Main St.
You will need to fill out a liability wavier. We do take a %10 deposit to secure the booking.
We accept only Cash or VISA (sorry no debits or MC, AMX)
call us to check wind conditions the night before 519-422-3962
Depending on the conditions of the day …if there is no wind you do not pay.

Can I use my own equipment during the lesson?
For our lesson program, we usually use our equipment which has been tested to be safe and easy to learn on. After completing the course, you may choose to take private lessons to further your skills on your own equipment.

Will I be able to kiteboard after taking the course?
During our lesson program, we will try to cover all of the skills necessary to become a safe and independent kiteboarder. After the course, about 75% of the people can demonstrate the necessary skills and can go on to purchase their own equipment and practice on their own safely. However, some people may require more time to develop their skills and additional lessons may be needed.

Where do provide your lessons?
We provide our lessons at Sauble Beach or Oliphant.

What time do lessons take place?
Lessons usually start at 11:00 am depending on the wind. We will check the weather forecast the morning of the lesson and let you know when it will start.

What days do you offer lessons and how do make a reservation?
We offer lessons everyday there is enough wind. Lessons are usually booked up several weeks in advance so plan ahead. To book a lesson, a $100 deposit per person is required to hold your space. If there is not enough wind on the day of the lesson, the lesson will be rescheduled to another day.

What do I need to bring for the lesson?
We will provide all the equipment and safety gear you need during the lesson. For the beach session, you should wear comfortable beach clothes, hat, sunglasses and footwear. For the water session, you may need a wetsuit depending on the time of the year. Wear plenty of sun block since you will be spending a lot of time in the sun.

I am an accomplished wakeboarder. Will I be able to pick up kiteboarding really quick?
Although a wakeboarding background is helpful, kiteboarding is 90% kite control. You have to learn the skills necessary to safely control the kite.

Do you rent kites or boards?
We provide kites and boards for our students during a lesson. We cannot rent equipment without the supervision of an instructor.

Are there age limits for learning?
No. We have given lessons to students as young as eight, and as old as 70.

Does it require alot of upper body strength?
A fair amount of upper and lower body strength is nessessary, but there is more finess than strength needed to learn.