Kite sports are easy, fun, and achievable for people from all ages and walks of life.

However, this is not to say they do not involve risk. If you learn in a BKSA recognised school you can be sure to learn on a risk assessed and safe area, with correct safety equipment, and the right teaching steps and challenges introduced at the right time.

In the beginning stages of learning any kite sport it all comes down to kite control and understanding of the wind window, wind principles, kite control and trimming.

The BKSA scheme has a logical set of levels from complete beginner to advanced.

The scheme is designed to get beginners to a competent level of independence before heading out on their own. This is the end of level two and is termed as ‘independent kite surfer’.

It indicates that a person can fly the kite safely, launch, land, relaunch, retrieve and control the board, board start, and rescue themselves via a deep-water packdown.

It also indicates that an individual can risk and site assess the beach competently, rig and pack up, choose the correct equipment and location, avoid collision with anything or person and behave safely and responsibly as an independent kite surfer.

Kite sports are easy, fun, and achievable for people from all ages and walks of life.

However, this is not to say they do not involve risk. If you learn in a BKSA recognised school you can be sure to learn on a risk assessed and safe area, with correct safety equipment, and the right teaching steps and challenges introduced at the right time.

In the beginning stages of learning any kite sport it all comes down to kite control and understanding of the wind window, wind principles, kite control and trimming.

The BKSA scheme has a logical set of levels from complete beginner to advanced.

The scheme is designed to get beginners to a competent level of independence before heading out on their own. This is the end of level two and is termed as ‘independent kite surfer’.

It indicates that a person can fly the kite safely, launch, land, relaunch, retrieve and control the board, board start, and rescue themselves via a deep-water packdown.

It also indicates that an individual can risk and site assess the beach competently, rig and pack up, choose the correct equipment and location, avoid collision with anything or person and behave safely and responsibly as an independent kite surfer.

Level 1 – Introduction to Kite Flying – 1 Day

Part 1 – Basic kite handling
Part 2 – Water based flying
Part 3 - Bring on the power and basic body dragging
Part 4 – Directional and upwind body dragging, going the right way. Balance dragging

Level 2 – Introduction to the board – 2 Days

Part 1 – Introduction to boards and board start technique
Part 2 – First board starts
Part 3 – First rides including prolonged power delivery
Part 4 – Independent Kite surfing – Surfing with others

Coaching Sessions – Improving techniques

• Riding upwind
• Basic jumping
• Equipment tuning
• Improving technique including, stance, advanced rescue techniques, advanced relaunch techniques
• Toeside riding and transitions

Advanced Coaching Sessions – Improving Technique - 1 day per element

Run only by BKSA Coach

• Freestyle and wake style riding
• Wave sailing and wave riding
• Racing, bordercross and downwinders

Instructor Training – 5-day course

• Certificate valid when teaching within a BKSA school.
• An instructor can teach up to 4 students with two kites on the water once registered
• An instructor can teach up to coaching sessions with a L1

All candidates must complete their Pre-entry form and send to the desired ITC provider to gain acceptance onto an ITC course. Valid for 3 years* as long as candidate has a valid first aid and RYA Powerboat L2 certificate.

Advanced Coach – 1-day course

Minimum requirement to run advanced coaching elements:

• Sign off – Pre entry forms.
• Be a L1 Instructor.
• Be appointed annually by BKSA training, and endorsed to deliver advanced coaching for juniors and competition levels as well as abroad clinics for improvers.

Senior Instructor Training – 2-day course

Minimum requirement to run a BKSA approved school and advanced coaching:

• Sign off – Pre entry forms
• Have a minimum 150 Hours of teaching experience signed by a current senior instructor/ examiner
• By Application

National Trainer – 1-Day Course

Minimum requirement to inspect BKSA Schools, run BKSA revalidation courses, perform regional training tasks:

• Be appointed annually by BKSA Training.

Trainer Examiner – as per BKSA Head of training committee

Minimum requirement to Run Instructor Courses. Sit on training meeting and direction initiatives. Inspects BKSA centers

Examiners are appointed after completion of an action plan set out by the Head of Training. In most cases this will entail an examiners course run by BKSA directly through a BKSA school, followed by shadowing an ITC Course and running a second whilst being shadowed. Also an interview with board members .

This is an annually renewed appointment. All posts requires membership of BKSA

* To revalidate your instructor certificate at all levels is done via attendance to a BKSA revalidation conference/workshop every three years from initial training on going. Failure to do this will result in non-recognition of your qualification until such time as adequate revalidation is undertaken.