Get International Recognition as an IKO Center
Set your school apart and offer unique kiteboarding services and safe teaching practices.
The International Kiteboarding Organization is the world’s leading organization for a sustainable development of kiteboarding. With more than 200 IKO Centers in over 40 countries, we empower and connect your kite business to the world’s largest kite community representing 90,000 active members. Your school will gain worldwide visibility on the IKO website in 6 languages with an average of 30,000 unique visitors monthly. The IKO affiliation gives your school international recognition and guarantees to your students that your business operates according to the highest safety standards in the industry. The IKO additionally supports its Centers on increasing their business activity with promotions and advertising campaigns, as well as providing opportunities to organize professional training courses.
Steps
Create a school account
Create a school account on the IKO website and complete your profile with the help of our school affiliation department.
Choose your yearly membership
Choose your yearly membership according to your needs. Pick between the Free, Basic or Plus membership plans.
Promote your school with the IKO brand
Promote your school with the IKO brand and enjoy all the other benefits of being part of the IKO!
FAQ See All
How much does it cost to be an IKO Center?
IKO strives for the safe and sustainable development of kiteboarding. This is why we allow schools that share our mission and comply with our standards to affiliate completely for free. To benefit from the full array of tools IKO offers to its Centers, the Basic and Plus membership start at $315 USD and will give you access to our online booking platform to receive bookings for lessons and the possibility to organize pro courses straight at your center and more.
How long is the Center membership valid for?
The IKO membership is valid for one year starting from the date when the IKO School department has reviewed and approved your affiliation or is linked to your insurance policy for the free membership. When your membership expires, you can easily renew from your IKO account by uploading a copy of your current insurance policy and paying with Paypal or Bank transfer if you choose the Basic or Plus plan.
What are the requirements to affiliate as an IKO Center?
IKO is proud to set the standards of safety and quality in the kiteboarding industry. Our school affiliation team is here to help you meet all the requirements through the affiliation process. The main requirements are to fill the affiliations forms (Safety information, Spot Risk Assessment and Emergency Action Plan), to have an insurance for the school that includes kiteboarding activities and/or a general liability for outdoor activities, to teach with IKO certified Instructors, to have one rescue craft available (can be from a third party; needs to be estimated and approved by IKO) and to require students to wear all the necessary safety gear.
When can I start advertising as an IKO Center?
The affiliation gives you the right to promote and associate your business with the IKO logo and brand name. Instructors cannot use the logo for any commercial use. Once your status is approved, you can start advertising as an IKO Center. As long as your school respects the IKO Standards and that your membership is active, you can use the IKO logo and brand name for promotion.
How can I promote my school as an IKO Center?
You can use and download the IKO initials and logo. All files can be accessed and downloaded from your IKO school account. Use the initials and logo on your website and for other marketing efforts. The school affiliation gives you access to the IKO Webshop for promotional products and merchandise. Centers with the Plus membership will receive a school pack including flags and stickers for on-site promotion.
What are the benefits of being an IKO Center for my clients?
Clients of an IKO Centers can trust that their kiteboarding lessons will be held in a professional school with qualified instructors that both follow rigorous standards of quality and safety. Students can expect to be certified at the end of their lessons and access their vCard to better assess their level and be aware of their limits and potential.
Can IKO Center advertise their courses online?
The Basic and Plus memberships enable the IKO Centers to advertise their lessons packages on the IKO Website thanks to the online booking system which allows future students to search for recreational courses per country, find your center and book lessons at your school (commission free).
How can I train my school team to become IKO qualified Instructors?
IKO Centers commit to operate exclusively with IKO Certified and valid Instructors and Assistant Instructors. The Plus membership allows you to organize pro courses straight at your school, which means that you get the opportunity to train your team if they are not already IKO Instructors. By hosting trainings courses, you can earn up to $3720 USD in 10 days.