Kitesurf Lessons

Who the course is for

The IKO Kitesurf Level 1 course covers all the nuts and bolts needed for kitesurfing, so is the starting point for anyone wanting to learn to kitesurf.

It is suitable for people who have completed IKO Powerkite Level 1 (Bar Control) and 10-20 hours post-certification flying experience.  The reason for this prerequisite is that to get the most from a kitesurf course you do need a certain level of kite flying skills, and these skills are easiest to learn on land before you hit the water, rather than when you are in the North Sea with the waves breaking over your head!

What the course covers

We teach to the IKO syllabus as follows.  Each student is certified to the level they attain.

Level 1A

• Know safe wind directions and conditions for kiting
• Know hazards on a spot
• Set up a trainer kite
• Know the use of safety systems

Level 1B

• Have basic flying skills with trainer kite
• Launch and land the trainer kite with an assistant.
• Twist and untwist the lines while flying the kite.
• Walk and change directions while flying the kite
• Know the wind window

Level 1C

• Set-up a 4/5 line kite with a full de-power system
• Pre- flight check equipment and settings
• In flight check equipment and settings
• Understand and use the international communication signals
• Launch and land the kite to an assistant and as an assistant (4/5-line de-power kite)

Level 1D

• Control the kite hooked into the harness
• Understand the de-power system and can use the safety systems
• Advanced flying skills with the de-power kite
• Show full control of de-power systems in flight

Level 1E

• Pull quick release and activate leash
• Recover the bar and kite
• Self land

What's included in the price

• 5 hours of tuition
• Use of all equipment
• IKO certification to the level you achieve
• IKO Kiteboarders Workbook

Dates and Price

Synergy Kitesports teach kitesurf lessons 7 days per week from April to September, weather permitting.

Prices depend on when in the week you would like your lesson, and if you are coming in as an individual for 1:1 tuition or if you are coming with at least one other person to make a group.

The Level 1 kitesurf course is 5 hours in length.

For Kitesurf training courses we teach a maximum of 4 participants per instructor.

Over winter if you are keen to learn to kitesurf the most productive thing to do is concentrate on improving your skills on the land, starting with the powerkiting and progressing to using the kite with a landboard or buggy.  You will find this will improve your kite skills and give you experience of using the kite to generate power, and as the skills used on land transfer easily to the water you will progress quicker on the water in the Spring.

What you need to bring

• Warm clothing appropriate to the weather for wearing on the beach
• Waterproofs are advised
• Gloves and hat may be needed at any time of year
• Lunch and drinks, hot drinks are advised
• Sunglasses and sunscreen can also be needed at any time of year, especially for those sensitive to the sun.

Who the course is for

The IKO Kitesurf Level 2 course is for those who have completed IKO Kitesurf Level 1 and are ready to take their skills into the water.

For those who have covered both the kite flying skills and the land based skills necessary for kitesurfing, this course puts it all together and covers all the water based kitesurf skills.

From your first downwind body drags to getting up on the board, through looking after yourself along the way.

What the course covers

We teach to the IKO syllabus as follows.  Each student is certified to the level they attain

Level 2F

• Enter and exit the water independently and safely while controlling the kite.
• Water re-launch the kite.
• First body drag downwind.
• Maintain correct kite position in the wind window.
• Change direction to the left and right while body dragging.
• Recover the kite and bar in the water.

Level 2G

• Upwind body drag to recover board.
• Upwind body drag holding the board with one hand.
• Enter and exit at the same point while upwind body dragging.

Level 2H

• Know the power stroke for a water start.
• Know the safety rules and theory for water start.
• Can put the board on the feet and maintain the correct position for water start.

Level 2I

• Water start in both directions and ride a short distance.
• Come to a controlled stop.
• Understand weather forecast, tidal- and wind effects.
• Determine the wind strength, direction and quality.
• Know the right of way rules.
• Know equipment set up and choice according to the weather conditions.

What's included in the price

• 10 hours of tuition
• Use of all equipment
• IKO certification to the level you achieve
• IKO Kiteboarders Workbook if you don't already have one

Dates and Price

Synergy Kitesports teach kitesurf lessons 7 days per week from April to September, weather permitting.

Prices depend on when in the week you would like your lesson, and if you are coming in as an individual for 1:1 tuition or if you are coming with at least one other person to make a group.

The Level 2 kitesurf course is 10 hours of tuition.

For Kitesurf training courses we teach a maximum of 4 participants per instructor.

Over winter if you are keen to learn to kitesurf the most productive thing to do is concentrate on improving your skills on the land, starting with the powerkiting and progressing to using the kite with a landboard or buggy.  You will find this will improve your kite skills and give you experience of using the kite to generate power, and as the skills used on land transfer easily to the water you will progress quicker on the water in the Spring.

What you need to bring

• Wetsuit.  These can be hired for £10 per day from Synergy Kitesports, please ask when booking.
• Something to wear under the wetsuit such as trunks or swimsuit
• Wetsuit boots/old trainers to wear in the water are advised, wetsuit gloves are optional
• Towel
• Warm clothing appropriate to the weather for wearing on the beach
• Waterproofs are advised, and gloves and hat may be needed at any time of year
• Lunch and drinks, hot drinks are advised.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen can also be needed at any time of year, especially for those sensitive to the sun

Who the course is for

The IKO Kitesurf Level 3 course is for those who have completed IKO Kitesurf Level 2 and are looking to take their riding skills up a level.

If you've mastered the water start but would like to be able to consistently ride upwind, would like to learn to turn without sinking or are looking to progress to riding toeside and jumping then this is the course for you.

What the course covers

We teach to the IKO syllabus as follows.  Each student is certified to the level they attain.

Level 3J

• Control the riding speed by edging
• Consistent riding in both directions

Level 3K

• Consistent riding in all directions including upwind
• Ride amongst other riders and water users and respect right of way rules

Level 3L

• Change of direction without stopping
• Self- rescue and full pack-down in the water

Level 3M

• Risk assessment and awareness of the riding area
• Self launch

Level 3N

• Make a toe side turn
• Knows the theory and the safety rules for jumping
• Land a basic jump

What's included in the price

• 1:1 tuition tailored to your rate of progression
• Use of all equipment
• IKO Certification to the level you achieve
• IKO Kiteboarders Workbook if you don't already have one

Dates and Price

Synergy Kitesports teach kitesurf lessons 7 days per week from April to September, weather permitting.

Prices depend on when in the week you would like your lesson, and if you are coming in as an individual for 1:1 tuition or if you are coming with at least one other person to make a group.

The Level 3 kitesurf course is taught in 2 hour blocks at the participants own rate of progression.

For Kitesurf training courses we teach a maximum of 4 participants per instructor.

Over winter if you are keen to learn to kitesurf the most productive thing to do is concentrate on improving your skills on the land, starting with the powerkiting and progressing to using the kite with a landboard or buggy.  You will find this will improve your kite skills and give you experience of using the kite to generate power, and as the skills used on land transfer easily to the water you will progress quicker on the water in the Spring.

What you need to bring

• Wetsuit.  These can be hired for £10 per day from Synergy Kitesports, please ask when booking.
• Something to wear under the wetsuit such as trunks or swimsuit
• Wetsuit boots/old trainers to wear in the water are advised, wetsuit gloves are optional
• Towel
• Warm clothing appropriate to the weather for wearing on the beach
• Waterproofs are advised, and gloves and hat may be needed at any time of year
• Lunch and drinks, hot drinks are advised.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen can also be needed at any time of year, especially for those sensitive to the sun