Dear friends,
I think time is come for everybody to get a license for kiting.
Schools and instructor are widely available everywhere and organization like IKO are now offering insurance for kiters.
Every kiter that is already self proficient can easily get an IKO level 3 card by
passing a written test and by demonstrating few riding skills:
Solo & assisted launching - Solo & Assisted landing - Riding upwind - self rescue.
This can be done quite easily like as is done for car license, and cost can be kept at a minimum as many rider can take an exam at the same time… just a nominal fee for the exam…
As I’m an IKO instructor I already start to receive request from people to give level 3 license.
This don’t have to be only an IKO things but any reputable kite organization can release a form of license for experienced kiters.
This will help in keeping control of the rapidly growing kite population and give some kind of legitimacy to kiters, also to help in keep beach access open to all of us…
In Bali where I ride and teach we ask to all people coming to our beach to sign a form where we explain the local rules of safety… if people don’t follow them we can ban them from launching at our local spot…
More kites companies are going direct to the customer using the Web, equipment is becoming more affordable! And with Internet sales anybody can
Buy kites etc. without knowing anything about the sport and endanger themselves and others.
By having a license, kite companies can require it at the time of purchasing
And this will at least guarantee that the buyer has some knowledge of the sport.
Please post what do you think about this.
Bye Jankie
http://www.bali-kitesurfing.org
PS. Toby will be a great idea to make a pool to see what' the common opinion....