IKO ACCREDITED SCHOOL - Colona Watersports is an IKO (International Kiteboarding Organistation) approved school and we teach all of our courses according to IKO standards. Our courses are open to anyone from the age of 12 and above. (Guardians signature required for students under 18 years of age.)

Kite Surf Course Day1


All courses are conducted in our designated upwind training bay away from the advanced kiting zones. The lagoon is knee to chest deep and this large area allows you to take long runs during your turn on the kite. As you progress through the course you can blast out to the sand bar 300 meters off shore.


Lessons can start from between 9.30am and 2 pm depending on the wind conditions during that day. The lessons can be between 3- 5 hours per day depending on the student, instructor and conditions of wind in that week. During lessons we work in a group of 4 students and 2 kites per instructor as laid down by the IKO. (unless you book 1:1 or 2:1 – Private/Semi-Private)

Kiteboarding safe and easy! - With the IKO teaching method, you learn according to your skill level, knowledge and rhythm. The courses are specially taught to give you the best results in the shortest time to ensure you’re ready to kiteboard. Our professionally qualified IKO Instructors conduct our courses in English, German, Italian and Russian. Have confidence in our instructors; they know how to evaluate your potential and help you to progress at your own pace without losing any time. At the end of your course you will receive your IKO Kiteboarder certification card, documenting your skill level.

IKO Affiliated Center www.ikointl.com IKO CARD

Safety First! - All the staff at Colona Watersports are very safety conscious, we train according to strict standards. A qualified instructor will always be with you. As a student you will always be wearing a helmet and flotation vest for increased safety. All of our kites are equipped with the latest safety systems according to the current technology. We teach using 2009 Naish Cult Sport Kites and NBL boards.

Safety First

The Courses we offer at Colona Watersports


COMPLETE BEGINNER COURSES - IKO Level I+II is a 12 hour group course.

Usually run over 4 days, however it may be run over 3-5 days depending on how quickly or slowly the student progresses through these stages. After completing level II it is recommended to have a few days of practice under supervision before starting Level III.


WATER STARTER COURSES - IKO Level II is a 6 hour group course.

Usually run over 2 days, however it may be run over 2-5 days depending on how quickly or slowly the student progresses through these stages.


ADVANCED KITING TECHNIQUES IKO Level III is a 6 hour group course

Usually run over 2 days, however it may be run over 2-5 days depending on how quickly or slowly the student progresses through these stages.


We strongly advise that you book these by email as far in advance as possible in order to avoid disappointment – info@colonawatersports.com


To confirm your place on the course, please send us an email with your credit card details as guarantee. We will NOT charge your card but keep the details as guarantee for your place on the course. For payment we prefer EUROS in CASH but do also accept USD and of course Egyptian Pounds. We do accept VISA and MasterCard but if you are paying by card we must add the Egyptian Sales Tax / VAT, currently at 2% on courses and services and 10% for sales of goods.

NOTE: booking a level II or Level III course please make sure check your current level against our IKO kite boarder levels. Your instructor will ask you to demonstrate your level I or level II skills. This gives you a good chance to familirise yourself with our equipment. You will need to show that you are able to set up your kite and understand how to fly an LEI kite. You should be able to safely launch and land your kite with assistance and be able to relaunch your kite in deep water. The instructor needs to see that you fully comprehend how to use all the different safety systems on the bar and are able to self rescue yourself with your kite in deep water etc...

Beginner
Private Lessons - Private and Semi Private Lessons are also available

Private Lessons consist of 1 student per instructor Semi private lessons consist of 2 students and 2 kites per instructor. Our group courses start in the morning and the private lessons run after group lessons or as soon as an instructor is available. (This rule only applies during our high season)


Supervised Kiteboarding
For the Kiteboarder that is not 100% sure of his own abilities but does not want to do a course we offer supervised kiting. This is perfect to do for one or two hours, an instructor will be with you to help you out if needed and soon you will feel confident enough to go out on your own. We also recommend taking supervision hours to practise after you have completed level II and before taking level III.


Advanced Trick Studies
These lessons are 2 hour lessons and what we teach is up to you. If you want to work on a specific trick or move, your instructor will help you achieve your goal.

Kite Surf Course Day1

Pro Rider Clinics



Colona Watersports also organize Pro-Rider clinics with riders such as Mark Shinn, Mike Blomvall, Kirsty Jones and Dave Ibby. If you have a kite group you belong to and would like to book a clinic for a group of up to 8 people send us an email and we will try to organize it for you. The sand bar and its flat water is the ideal location for nailing those new freestyle moves.


Kite Surf Course Day1

Kristy Yoga/Kite Experience



We’re also happy to welcome world wave kite champion Kirsty Jones, from the UK, who will be providing a kite and yoga experience to prepare you for those long sessions on the water.


This kite clinic offers kite improvers an introduction to their first tricks and the opportunity to improve existing freestyle moves. Using a combination of personal training techniques, on the water feedback and video footage analysis, Kirsty will take you through it step by step, move by move, giving you hints, tips and advice.

The course focuses on a menu of the following which will build in difficulty throughout the week:

1. Boosting a stylish and controlled jump
2. Jumps combined with grabs
3. Back loops and forward loops
4. Kiteloops
5. Railey and Railey grabs
6. An intro to unhooked tricks
7. Improving maneuvers on both sides

Daily yoga sessions have been formulated by Kirsty who is an internationally qualified yoga instructor, to increase strength, agility and focus and are designed to prepare the body and mind for kite surfing.

You can expect to take away from this intensive five day course a new confidence in your body’s ability on the water, together with a portfolio of freestyles moves which take your kite surfing skills to another level.

Kite Surf Course Day1

ITC - Instructor Training Courses


Become a Kiteboarding Instructor

Because you are addicted kiteboarders and want to share your passion and knowledge with others, IKO offers you the possibility to be trained as a pro instructor and make your passion your job.



A solid training program

IKO offers a reliable and professional training program. Instructors become IKO certified by attending the 5 days Instructor Training Course (ITC). The training program corresponds precisely to kiteboarding teaching methods. The certification is recognized as the international standard in teaching. At the end of the training, you will have developed abilities in the following major areas: safety, practical environment, analysis, technique, teaching psychology and live situation. After attending an ITC, you will be qualified as IKO Instructor level 1 and will be able to continue your pro training. To keep a high quality teaching, all instructors level 1 must request to pass their level 2 within two years following their training.


Your benefits with IKO

• Get an International Diploma that will allow you to teach worldwide
• Apply for an international insurance specific to teaching kiteboarding
• Benefit of teaching tools that are constantly updated
• Certify the level of your trainees with the Kiteboarder Card
• Receive the Pro Newsletter and Flash
• Apply for a job in the pro area
• Get the IKO Kiteboarding Center affiliation for your school
• Become level 2 instructor

Prerequisites

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a kiteboarder level 3 for at least 6 months
• Be able to perform a jump, perform a controlled turn and switch riding, ride constantly up wind and ride between other riders
• Have an IKO assistant instructor certification or provide an attestation (letter of recommendation) of a teaching experience in a water or aerial sport
• Have a valid first aid certificate
• Have a powerboat license or equivalent skill level if no obligatory license is required in the home country


You will need to fill in the registration form complete with credit card details to confirm your place

We often have requests from the students to stay on and do their requested teaching hours work experience with us. This is called EEP (Extended Education Programme) after you do the course the instructor will tell you how many work experience hours you need to teach for before you are fully qualified. Please let me know if this is something you are interested in?

As for the boat license you only need to have this if you wish to teach in the UK. We have rescue boats here and using these will be part of the course.

The first aid course you can either do before you start the course in your home country or you can book and EFR course with Colona Divers. The course takes 1 day and costs 130 Euro. It is advised that you buy a basic first aid book to keep with you for future reference. Please let me know if I should book you on the course.

IKO KITEBOARDER LEVELS


Discovery Kiteboarder Program - IKO Kiteboarder Level I - on land & water
This course is 6 hours and is normally taught over 2 days.


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!

Level 1

In this first part of full the beginner course you will learn the theory of the wind and the wind window, Learn safe wind directions and conditions for kiting, Learn how to spot hazards on a Kiting spot you will be taught all about safety and how important that is to the sport you will learn. You will learn the International Communication signals and self rescue techniques, how to pack down your equipment in deep water.
Further we will teach you kite terminology whilst we take you through equipment set up, launching and landing, and finally piloting the kite in the air. Your instructor will demonstrate several exercises such as flying the kite on the edge of the wind window and through the centre of the wind window


In the beginning you will be using 2 line foil kites and when time allows, Once you have proven your skills you will get familiar with the kites that you will be using on the water. You will learn all about the control bar, lines and the three safety systems. After this you will fly the kite in the lagoon and practise piloting a 4-line SLE LEI Kite whilst hooked into the harness. Once you have mastered the advanced flying techniques flying a depowered kite you will learn how to launch and land the kite with assistance. You will briefly touch on body dragging both to the left and to the right and downwind.


IKO Kiteboarder Level II – Intermediate Program in the water
This course is 6 hours and is normally taught over 2 days.

The level II course completes the full beginner course. 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!

Level 2


In this course you will learn how to water re-launch the kite and how to enter and exit the water independently and safely whilst controlling the kite. You will be taught advanced piloting techniques such as flying the kite through the power zone, one handed kite piloting, body dragging upwind to recover your board. And body dragging upwind with the board. Once your instructor is satisfied you have mastered the kite handling it is time for the board, now you will learn how to manage the board and the kite at the same time. Your Instructor will teach you the safety rules and theory for water start and then demonstrate the power stroke for a water start. You will learn how to put the board on the feet in shallow and deep water. Finally you will learn the water start and getting up on that board and riding in both directions and of course how to stop.


We will teach you how to understand weather forecast, tidal- and wind effects. Determine the wind strength, direction and quality. Know the right of way rules. How to choose the correct equipment set up according to the weather conditions.

NOTE: After completing level II it is recommended to have a few days of practise under supervision before starting Level III.

IKO Kiteboarder Level III – Independent Kiteboarder Program
This course is 6 hours and is normally taught over 2 days.

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 learn and a lot of fun!!!

Level 3


During this course you will learn how to manage your practical area, and will be able to choose your equipment. You will learn advanced kiting techniques such as riding upwind; you will ride with more powerful kites and will learn the basics of controlling your riding speed by keeping a heelside and toeside edge. Receive advise and tips from your instructor how to Ride amongst other riders and water users and respect right of way rules and how to Carve, Change direction without stopping and make a toe side turn.


In this course we are also giving you the theory and the safety rules for jumping so that you can try your first jumps on your own.

Learn how to Kitesurf in just 4 days!

Kitesurfing is safe and easy to learn. After a basic course you will be competent to Kite alone safely. The IKO Level I+II course is all you need to become a safely educated independent kiteboarder.

Kite Surf Course Day1

Today you will learn the theory of the wind and how to set up your equipment. You will also get to fly and handle a training kite on the beach. Later on in the day you will learn self-rescue techniques and how to pack down your equipment in the water.

Kite Surf Course Day2

Now it is time to get familiar with the kites that you will be using on the water. You will learn all about the control bar, lines and safety systems. After this you will fly the kite in the lagoon and practice body dragging and launching and landing the kite with assistance.

Kite Surf Course Day3 

Today you will continue to fly the kite and improve your skills. When you know how to control the kite and launch it from the water you will start body dragging with power. This is when you get to feel the real power of the kite!

Kite Surf Course Day4

This is the last day of your course and it is time to get on the board. First you will practice on land to get the feel for the board start and then you’ll move on to the water. It may take a few attempts but soon you will be up on the board riding. Congratulations. You are now a qualified kiteboarder!