Vincent Herbillon, former avid windsurfer now present day avid kiteboarder, is the newest addition to the Examiner elite. Vinz, as his friends call him, climbed to the top of the mountain earning his certification as Examiner, the IKO’s elite team of Instructor Trainers.

 

WARNING: KITEBOARDING IS ADDICTING!

 

 

Image Source: Vincent Herbillon.

 

Being a windsurfer in spirit and heart, how in the world did Vinz ever decide to take that plunge to not only try kiteboarding but go all the way to become an Examiner? Simple. Someone performed the Jesus Walk kiteboard trick in front of him. He was awestruck and said, “I want to do that!”

 

That’s all it took and he was hooked. Vinz become addicted to kiteboarding like most everyone who kiteboards just once is. He rarely windsurfs now and has been kiteboarding for 4 years.

 

JESUS WALK TRICK

 

The Jesus Walk trick is basically a kiteboarder walking on water. The rider removes his board from his feet when the wind hits his kite just right for that steady uplift that keeps him walking on water. With the right training, everyone of any gender and even children can do tricks like the Jesus Walk. We must stress however the right training is required to ensure safety.

 

To see how awesome the Jesus Walk is, check out this video.

 

HOW THE KITEBOARD ADDICTION HAPPENED FOR VINZ

 

“Kiteboarding makes me feel free” more free than you can imagine “even more than surfing,” said Vinz. “You feel as free as a bird when you are flying in the air and free as a fish while on water. You just empty your mind and go for it. You can do it on land, snow or water.” Another benefit to kiteboarding is that the gear is more compact than a surfboard and definitely more than windsurfing gear making it easier to travel.

vinz

Image Source: Vincent Herbillon

 

FROM KITEBOARD RIDING TO TEACHING THEN ONTO EXAMINER

 

The kiteboard addiction did not take long for Vinz. He kiteboarded for one year and then taught for three years. He went all the way to the top to become an IKO Examiner. The road to becoming an Examiner was a long one for Vinz but was worth it. The reason he became an Examiner is because “when I do something, I like to do it well. The Examiner is the king of the mountain for kiteboard instructors,” explained Vinz. Plus, Vinz is a teacher by nature. He has taught French and English in his past. “I just enjoy teaching.”

 

THE EXAMINER PATH FOR VINZ

 

For Vinz, kiteboarding changed his life because now he has a career that looks very bright. When asked what the advantages are to being an Examiner, he said, “As an Examiner, you are the one that knows and gets to explain it to others.” It has also opened the door for Vinz to do ITCs. Vinz describes himself as a “Newborn Examiner,” because he will only start conducting ITCs.

 

vinz

Image Source: Vincent Herbillon

 

Vinz describes his path to Examiner like this, “It was a bit difficult but when you like it, it is not that difficult. It takes time and you have teach a lot and you have to change locations. You have to make your own way because no one is going to make it for you in this field.”

 

ADVANTAGES OF BEING AN EXAMINER FOR VINZ

 

For Vinz, kiteboarding changed his life because now he has a career that looks very bright. When asked what the advantages are to being an Examiner, he said, “As an Examiner, you are the one that knows and gets to explain it to others.” It has also opened the door for Vinz to do ITCs. Vinz describes himself as a “Newborn Examiner,” because he will only start conducting ITCs.

 

vinz

Image Source: Vincent Herbillon

 

 

He is also helping a school in Playa de Carmen do what it needs to get IKO Affiliated. Vinz says that Playa de Carmen Kiteboarding School in Mexico is now ready to become IKO Affiliated. All they need is the international insurance. IKO is making it a priority to get Mexico on the list of countries eligible for the IKO insurance program.

 

WHY VINZ CHOSE THE IKO

 

Vinz chose the IKO because it was recommended to him as a means to make a career out of kiteboarding. Plus, back then, he had not heard of another organization that could do what the IKO does. “I heard so many good things about the IKO that I did not even look at other organizations,” explained Vinz.

 

ADVICE TO RIDERS INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN INSTRUCTOR

 

“Go riding and be patient,” explains Vinz. “To get better you have to learn to do it right. To be a good teacher, you have to have patience. You have to keep smiling. Plus, it takes time to go through training. Finally, be safe and ride safe.”

 

ADVICE TO INSTRUCTORS WANTING TO BECOME AN EXAMINER

 

Vinz advises instructors who want to become Examiners to “Ride. Read. Ride. Study. Ride and be a role model."

vinz

Image Source: Vincent Herbillon

 

Also, Vinz advises to be more patient and ready to work in different locations where IKO wants. It is a long pathway. Before you take the Examiner course, travel and teach at different locations. Learn as many languages as you can. Most of all, “like to do it.” Vincent not only loves to kiteboard but he speaks 5 different languages, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French. For the IKO, speaking other languages is a very important consideration in selecting who will become Examiners because the IKO is a worldwide organization serving the global population of kiteboarders.

 

Overall, Vincent Herbillon is glad he chose the IKO because it served to advance his career giving him the opportunity to teach what he loves to do. By becoming an Examiner, he feels he has become the king of his mountain.

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