As some countries begin to ease restrictions due to COVID-19, IKO has established guidelines to help us stay safe while kiting and teaching.
Staying Safe at Kite Spots
- Always follow the latest recommendations by the WHO and local authorities. If kiting is forbidden, don’t go in the water.
- As always, kite safely. Take precautions to ensure you’re not injured. We don’t want to burden healthcare systems that are already overwhelmed.
- While in the water, stay at least three line lengths away from other riders. This was the rule before COVID-19 and it should help prevent contamination.
- Avoid crowded spots, keep a safe distance from people while on land and stay the minimal time at the spot before and after your session/lesson.
Staying Safe While Teaching:
- Have an assistant (with gloves that are disinfected often and a mask) in charge of launching and landing for everyone.
- Disinfect your hands, the bar, board and pump before and after every lesson.
- Stay at the student’s side (never directly behind the student) to avoid contamination through the wind. Ideally, both you and the student should wear a mask or face covering.
- Use a dedicated kite for demonstrations so you don’t touch the student’s bar.
- Follow IKO’s modern way of teaching. Guide the student through the lesson and avoid touching the student’s bar, harness handle or other gear. a. Use a trainer kite on short lines b. If necessary, connect a kite-to-instructor leash c. Follow the guided discovery
- Kite schools should aim to take payment prior to the lesson commencing either online or by phone. This will avoid the handling of cash.
IKO is not a medical expert and those are only recommendations with no warranties.
Use common sense and stay safe.
Windy Regards,
The IKO Team
