Becoming and instructor

robkov · Since 03 Jul 2006 90 Posts 97031

Has anyone looked into this? I am confused why, if the gorge is a kiting mecca, why do I have to fly to Hawaii, Cape Hat, or Baja to find and instrutor instructor?

If you are a poor local you don't have the option to become an IKO or PASA cert instructor.

Anyone have any ideas?

Rob

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

I think Jim Bison of New Wind kiteboarding can certify IKO instructors.

tonski · Since 11 Jun 2005 332 Posts NW Portland Obsessed

That's true, Pkh, and he ran an IKO clinic to certify instructors this summer in the Hood.

Onad · Mon Sep 18, 06 9:44 am

Hey Robkov,

Talk to Jim or Cori Bison at NewWind (541.387.2440) about the IKO Instructor Trainer calendar for 2007. Jim taught 2-3 courses this summer in Hood River.

Also, realize that the weather conditions must be favorable for wind and teaching so the summer time is when classes are held in Hood river.

Check out the IKO web site if you haven’t been there >> http://www.ikointl.com/pro_career.php?menu_id=3

I recommend taking the IKO Assistant Instructor course and work with a kite school to get some teaching experience which you will need to receive your Level I IKO certification.

~Dano

NewWind web site >> http://www.kiteschool.com/certification.html

Outtake photo:

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

I've been considering becoming a certified instructor...but what does it really get you? (this is a serious question).

I took lessons from 2 different places, and I have no idea if either instructor was certified.

Onad · Mon Sep 18, 06 4:35 pm

Well, to start with most schools require certification to instruct; partly because it is required for them to get a business license/permit and insurance (e.g. in Hood River & Maui)

Other benefits include: 1) being able to travel the world and teach because the hiring schools often require it and it also lets them know you have reached a certain competence level, 2) pro deals on gear, 3) getting paid for doing something you love, and 4) chicks will find you more desirable... Wink

Competition for instructor jobs is competitive as more kiters are trying to get into it, but if you really want to make it your profession and follow summer around the world to kite it’s not a bad way to go.

Good luck!

~Dano

robkov · Since 03 Jul 2006 90 Posts 97031

I thought chicks digged the longball not kite instructors.

grom · Since 07 Aug 2006 167 Posts Bolstad Clan

look i became an instruter this summer and spent all summer teaching. its not somethng i recomend. first it cost some $550 to get certified. then, as we all know, lessons cost a lot. but the instrutor only makes like 20-30% of that, working in hood river. plus its so crazy coaching there, people are so out of control. running around on the sand bar is not all its cracked up to be. keep teaching your buddies friends for $100 a day. i worked all summer and didn't make any money and am now working at an oil refinery so that i can go to baja.