Naxos Kitelife ➢ KC certifications
About KC:
Kite centers is an organization dedicated to identities who provide or use quality service of kiteboarding (kitesurfing/hydrofoiling). The mission of KC is developing the sport by providing a trustworthy network for certifying and evaluating kite centers, supervisors and riders, while boosting maximum safety and optimizing the teaching system. KC standards are changing with the development of the sport to optimize the parameter of safety and real progression. The certifications are fixing the level of an identity on the date of issue and can be later updated according to the development of the identity and the certification system. KC standards are the highest and most up-to-date you can find worldwide in the terms of supervision of the sports of kitesurfing and hydrofoiling.
Target groups:
KC is dedicated to 3 target groups:
A: Supervisors and kiteboarding centers who provide quality service and maximum safety in two different sports: kitesurfing and hydrofoiling.
B: Kitesurfers or foilers who perform the sport respecting KC standards.
C: Progress of the sports people who are progressing in one of these sports in a KC center or with a KC supervisor.
See more information here !
Certifications and affiliation:
All riders who have completed a course with Naxos Kitelife receive a card and an online certificate of KC (Kite centers organization). KC is providing affiliation and certifications of kiteboarding and hydrofoiling to kiteboarding centers, supervisors, independent riders and progressing riders. All the verified centers and supervisors can register riders with their level. Every new member receives his/her login info on their e-mail address and can access their profile on kite-centers.com. On the KC card there will be displayed the owner’s name, sport, level, center or supervisor certifying and date of certification. The level on your card and e-profile can be updated as you continue the course.
Kitesurfing Levels according to KC
A : INTRO
1 Wind direction and hazards
Determine the wind direction and identify dangers.
2 Set up
Set up the kite and bar.
3 Safety systems
Practice releasing the bar, quick release and disconnecting from the kite.
4 Assistant launching
Understand the wind window, find correct position for launching and landing.
5 Piloting
Fly the kite controlled in all positions of the wind window, fly with one hand.
6 Walking with the kite
Walk up and downwind while keeping the kite at safe hours, learn safe beach behaviour.
7 Depower system
Power up and depower the kite using the depower strap.
8 Launching and landing
Land the kite, find the correct position for launching and launch. Use the correct hand signals.
9 Self rescue
Simulate the self rescue on the beach.
10 Packing
Pack the kite and bar.
B : INTERMEDIATE
1 Water relaunch
Relaunch the kite from the water safely.
2 Enter and exit the water
Enter and exit the water independently and safely while controlling the kite
3 Bodydrag
Bodydrag downwind, upwind and keeping the line.
4 Power-stroke
Powerstroke both directions.
5 Bodydrag with the board
Enter and exit with the board keeping it in the correct position. Bodydrag with the board and change direction. Recover the board with bodydrag and come back to the beach.
6 Start position
Put the board on your feet and position for waterstart.
7 Waterstart
Perform a powerstroke, get lifted from the water and get on the board.
C : ADVANCED
1 Riding short distance
Ride a few meters both ways.
2 Controlled stop
Riding and coming to a controlled stop both sides.
3 Riding longer distance with controlled speed
Control your riding speed and ride for longer distances.
4 Riding upwind
Ride with only one hand on the bar, get the right position and ride upwind.
5 V turn
Slow down and turn without sinking.
6 Constant riding and turning while keeping the upwind
Ride constantly without crashing, sinking at turns or loosing the upwind.
D : INDEPENDENT
1 Toeside riding
Ride toeside both ways.
2 Toeside turn
Complete a toeside turn on both sides.
3 Pop
Pop over the waves.
4 Basic jump
Jump and land.
5 Jump with grab
Jump and grab your board with one hand during the jump.
6 Transition jump
Jump and change the direction.
Hydrofoiling Levels according to KC
A : Starter (short mast)
1 Safeties and Hazards
Introduction to handling the foil safely and choosing the correct kite size.
2 Board handling
Handling the board in the water without kite, foildragging.
3 Water start with the foil
Find the correct leg and body position and waterstart.
4 Riding the board under control
Keep the board on the surface, not poping out.
5 Foiling with short mast
Ride in foiling postion with short mast (41 cm).
B : Intermediate (longer masts)
1 Foiling with medium mast
Ride in foiling postion with medium lenght mast (71cm).
2 Foiling with full lenght mast
Ride in foiling postion with full lenght mast.
C : Advanced (tacking)
1 Riding full upwind
Ride full upwind with the full lenght mast.
2 Jibe
Complete a jibe in both directions.
3 Tack
Complete a tack in both directions.