Appendix 2 IKO Center Requirements.pdf

Article 12 Requirements:

1 Have at least one qualified IKO Instructor Level 2 working as the Head Instructor (they must have passed the Head Instructor course) who is responsible for the IKO Center to follow the IKO Standards. When the Head Instructor leaves the IKO Center, they must be replaced immediately by a new L2 with Head Instructor qualification or the school will be put on pending (Basic and Plus Centers will not receive any refund for the period of "pending”). For new schools with no Instructor Level 2, they can still affiliate, but need to find a Level 2 Instructor or one of their Instructor Level 1 must become Level 2 Instructor within 3 months of affiliation.

2 Ensure students and school team members have liability insurance that covers them during their kitesurfing activities, either through the IKO insurance program or your own school insurance policy.

3 Have one motorized rescue craft (boat, jetski, and/or electric bodyboard) available (either one you own or that of a third party). The craft must be equipped with safety devices according to nautical regulations with the capability of rescue within a maximum of five minutes from the Center at all times. Alternatively, a lifeguard service may be used. In specific spots where it is impossible to use a boat, the IKO will check the situation and decide whether the school can be affiliated.

4 If accessible by road, have a suitable vehicle available to transport a victim to an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or ambulance.

Article 13 Commitments:

1 Customer Guarantees

a. Provide a safe and fun environment for every customer before, during, and after lessons.

b. Before starting each course, push all students to sign up for a Kiter Membership where IKO insurance is included, and make sure they sign the student waiver form.

c. Supply and ensure students wear all the necessary safety gear including a helmet, harness with handle, kite leash with a safety-release system connected to the front of the harness, an appropriate and approved by local authorities buoyancy aid of 50N until Level 3L, (from Level 3M, impact vests approved by local authorities are allowed*) when in the water, including shallow water. Centers must also provide a functional safety system on every control bar used for teaching (mandatory 4-line re-ride safety system on a front line or 5th line safety system) and line cutter (specific for water and made of water-resistant material, such as stainless steel) for Instructors and Assistants in their harness, or a buoyancy aid. Centers must never use a board leash.

*If you are kiting in a drysuit, it is still recommended to always use a buoyancy aid and not an impact vest, because if you rip your drysuit out on the water or forget to close the zipper, the drysuit can get very heavy if it fills up with water.

d. Teach students to become independent according to the IKO Certification Standards.

e. Have the necessary equipment for all local wind conditions.

f. Ensure students know and understand all emergency procedures.

g. Respect the maximum Instructor-to-Student ratio, which is also valid when teaching from a boat:

• Instructor Level 1: 1 to 2 students with 1 kite (max) flying.

• Instructor Level 2 and above alone: up to 2 kites flying (max 4 students).

• Instructor Level 3 or above with 1 Assistant: up to 3 kites flying (max 6 students).

• Instructor Level 3 or above with 2 Assistants: up to 4 kites flying (max 8 students).

IKO Kiteboarding Center Requirements:

2 Visible Displays – The following should be posted where all students and visitors can see them:

a. Instructor diplomas

b. Daily weather forecast (on a tablet/laptop screen)

c. Emergency phone numbers and contacts

d. Spot organization

e. All IKO posters must be printed in color with a minimum size of an A3 (297 x 420 mm, 11,7” x 16,5”) each.

3 Hire an IKO-certified school team during the opening season (all Instructors, Assistants, and Trainers must be IKO certified).

4 For new Centers, all Instructors must be IKO Certified within six months of becoming an IKO Center.

h. Make sure Assistants always work under the direct supervision of an IKO Level 2 Instructor or above.

i. Have a minimum of 25 certification credits in the Center account.

j. Provide certification credits to Instructors working at the Center, adding them to the School "Team" list.

k. Ensure IKO Instructors evaluate all student levels and certify them online (the Center can also do this directly from the Center’s online profile) and give students access to the vCard.

l. Sell equipment responsibly. An IKO Center agrees to guarantee that it will sell only verified equipment and bars equipped with safety systems, and will only recommend equipment geared for each student’s level of ability.

m. Teach responsibly by only training in safe locations. Teaching must be conducted at an assessed, safe, and suitable site for students.

n. Report any major accident that occurs while teaching to the IKO Support Department within three days of a major accident or death.

o. Propose Kiter Membership to all students enrolling on an IKO course.

p. Not host professional training for any competitive organization.

q. Remove pictures from social media and websites that do not respect the IKO Standards.