Setting up and running a kite school in this current time
Starting up my IKO kitesurf center is the best thing I have ever done! It brings me so much pride when I see one of my students totally immerse themselves in the sport, develop their skills and become an independent kitesurfer. It has allowed me to travel the world, start new friendships, experience different cultures, and most importantly for me... Turn my hobby into my career.
These are just some reasons why I love instructing kitesurfing and what opening a kitesurf center has allowed me to realize. However, the kitesurf industry, like most others, has been hugely affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. In many countries around the world, watersports were prohibited while we pulled through the lockdown period. This has brought uncertainty to the kitesurfing market and has impacted kite centers, instructors, shops, distributors, manufactures, the list goes on. But there is hope!!! Many countries are now on the declining side of the virus and some are now open for business.
In this blog, I'll give you my top tips on setting up a kite center and how to keep kiters safe. Plus what you as a kite community can do to assist your nearest kite center/shop at this current time to ensure the continued growth of the sport we all know & love.
COVID-19 guidelines for kiters, instructors and kite schools
Let’s start with the most pressing issue facing the kite community. Safety has been at the core of IKO since its founding and as some countries begin to lift the lockdown, IKO has established some guidelines to help the kite community stay safe.
Staying safe at kite spots
Always follow the latest recommendations by the WHO and local authorities. If kiting is forbidden, don’t go in the water.
Kite safely and take precautions to ensure you’re not injured. We don’t want to burden healthcare systems that are already overwhelmed.
While in the water, stay at least three line lengths away from other riders.
Don’t go to crowded spots, keep a safe distance from people while on land and stay the minimum time at the spot before and after your session.
Make sure the person who launches your kite wears a mask and gloves.
Staying safe during a lesson
Instructors should disinfect their hands, the bar, board and pump after every lesson.
Instructors should stay at the student's side (never directly behind the student) to avoid contamination through the wind. Ideally, both instructors and students should wear a mask or face covering.
Instructors should avoid touching the student’s bar, harness handle or other gear.
Instructors should use a dedicated kite for demonstrations, so they avoid touching the student’s bar.
Kite schools should aim to take payment prior to the lesson commencing either online or by phone. This will avoid the handling of cash.
As established IKO schools open again and new schools open their doors for the first time, protecting the health and safety of our community continues to be the priority of IKO centers and instructors.
So how do you set up a kite center?
First thing first, you need experience and if you don't have experience in the kitesurf industry... find someone that does. To succeed in setting up a kite school it is essential to have a head instructor who has worked in several kite centers. They will have seen both positive and negative ways of running a school and therefore be able to provide ideas on how to offer only the best customer experience.
Finding premises
You need a location either on or within walking distance to the beach. It can be tricky to source a location at first but stick with it and something will come up. Remember it's not all about size, haha, location is key here!
Sourcing equipment
Procuring equipment at trade price is next on your list. Find a kitesurfing company that provides top-quality equipment and get in touch, if there is a gap in the market in your area, you may well be in with a shot of becoming a dealer.
Most importantly, become IKO affiliated
IKO provides a level of quality control over all kitesurf schools, they will help you reach the criteria needed. Becoming an IKO Center will also give your customers peace of mind, learning with fully qualified instructors in a safe and risk-free environment.
How has Coronavirus affected the kite market?
As mentioned at the top of this article, kitesurfing was halted along with other watersports in many countries due to COVID-19. For kitesurf schools, this meant no lessons which equals no business. It has hit me and hundreds of other kitesurf schools around the globe especially coming into our peak season in all northern hemisphere countries. Kitesurfing is already a hugely weather dependent sport so to have weeks, possibly months, cut out of a season could have a huge effect on lots of kite centers/shops.
What can you do to help out?
Support your local kitesurf school at this time! I know it's hard for everyone at the moment with millions of people being unemployed but since the lockdown is ending in many parts of the world, the great outdoors and kitesurfing is where you will want to be, trust me!
Here at my IKO kitesurf school 'Be-Rad Watersports' we are selling gift vouchers for all kite lessons. Gift vouchers are valid for a year meaning you'll have plenty of time to use it! This is the perfect way to help a kite center out at the moment. Purchase one of their vouchers and have something to look forward to once restrictions are lifted.
Another way you can help out is by purchasing new equipment. Now more than ever we have plenty of time on our hands, why not use this time to sell your current kite quiver online and upgrade to a new setup. If you don't have the funds to invest in a whole new setup, check over your kit and ensure that it is all in good working order. If in need of a repair, get in touch with your nearest kite center and I'm sure they will be happy to help. Here are just a few ways of supporting local kite businesses during this current time. We appreciate all your love and support and we will shred together soon!
As for kitesurfing school owners, online is a necessity at present. Why not provide free or paid for online tuition, Q&A sessions, quizzes, deals, etc. As with many industries, we need to adapt to these challenging times to ensure our success.
A growing sport!
Kitesurfing is one of the fastest-growing watersports in the world. It is still a relatively new sport with it only really taking off in the late 90's/early 2000's. It has grown and developed so much in recent years and that's all thanks to us as a kite community. Let's continue to spread the love of our sport and encourage people of all ages and sizes to take part and start with a beginner kite lesson.
Even experienced kitesurfers can benefit from lessons too! You may find you're stuck in a rut of just 'mowing the lawn' and not trying any new tricks or showing signs of progression. Fear not, this is quite common amongst kitesurfers and all you may need is a couple of hours 1-1 private tuition to push yourself beyond this point. This is where those gift vouchers will come in handy!
Become an instructor or open a school
As countries begin to lift the lockdown, beaches will open and kite centers will begin to hire again. Don’t have your instructor certificate yet? No problem! To learn more about getting certified as an IKO instructor, click here.
Already certified and looking to start your own school? Head on over to our school membership page and get affiliated today!
Sending positive vibes out to all of you! Stay safe from Be-Rad Watersports.
