We're getting ready to implement a new online ITC system through the IKO website that will make taking an Instructor Training Course that much better!

That's right - starting February 16, we will be launching an online ITC scheduling system that will offer vastly improved services to our ITC candidates, including an online education system and easy course registration. Here's a basic outline of how the new system will work:

1. School Manager or registered ITC Organizer  places ITC directly online.

2. ITC Candidates register for selected course via the Training Calendar, and pay the IKO training fee through Paypal at the time of registration. The remainder of their course fee is paid directly to the ITC Organizer.

3. Upon registration, Candidates receive online pre-course study material, developed to better prepare them for their ITC course. Candidates then take an online test designed to gauge their pre-course knowledge  and skill level.

4. Examiner receives the results of registered Candidates' pre-test, which will help him to tailor the upcoming ITC course to the needs of his students.

5. During the weeks prior to the ITC, prospective candidates are able to view course registration to see how many spots are still available for each course.

6. Once the ITC has finished, the Examiner can validate his Candidates directly through the same simple online system that was used at registration.

A lot of guessing is around about the IKA structure and its sub-committees. This article gives you a brief overview about who is who and who is doing what. However, the final nominations for the sub-committees are up to the IKA conference end of January.

The IKA has started back in 2006 as an initiative of riders and organizers involved in the kitespeed-worldcup, but not limited to them. This is still the core part of todays IKA, the part that worked with ISAF since a long time and that achieved official recognition in November 2008.

The main committee thus consists of two race officers, Christian Conrad and Markus Schwendtner, and three riders that are involved in one or more disciplines: Sjoukje Bredenkamp, Katja Roose and Dave Williams. You might ask, where is Aaron, and Kevin, and Jesse, and Gisela, and... but we can tell you from years of experience, that the "normal" rider has a much more unbiased view on topics than a top rider with an own agenda.

The main IKA committee is elected by its members, which are the riders due to ISAF constitution. Details about that will be covered in one of the next "Focus on...".

Of course these five people can not decide about where our sport shall go. That is why the IKA is just in the progress of implementing working parties, called sub-committees, for each specific topic, which are:

Audit Sub-Committee: A group of experienced and well known personalities connected to kiteboarding, to adjust the direction of development and to benefit from their experience. The chairman of the Audit Sub-Committee has a seat on the main committee.

Associated Members Sub-Committee: Contains all associated national kite associations. Main objective is to get the input and knowledge as well as the requirements of the development of the sport on national level. The scope of work also includes training, certification and beach access, only to name a few. The chairman of the national kite associations has a seat on the main committee.

Manufacturers Sub-Committee: This committee consist of all corporate members, to get direct contact to the top riders through their main sponsors as well as the industries ideas of where the sport should head to. Matters of equipment development, safety issues and olympics are discussed here as well.

Rules Sub-Committee: This committee includes experienced race officers from all around the world to develop the Racing Rules of Sailing and to adopt them to kiteboarding needs.