Kitesurf instructor courses in New Zealand - change your career or fund your gap year
Airzone kitesurfing school offers ten week intensive kite surfing courses in New Zealand to take you from beginner kitesurfer to internationally recognised IKO kitesurf instructor. Our residential course includes all kitesurfing tuition, boat training, first aid and the IKO ITC (instructor training course).
If you would like to change your lifestyle, travelling the world doing something you love, or fund your way around the world during your gap year, this is the perfect course for you.
We are based on the Karikari Peninsula between the Bay of Islands and 90 Mile Beach at the top of New Zealand's North Island. Considered one of the top kitesurfing spots in the world, we have beaches facing every direction within 10 minutes of our school, shallow learning areas, and the choice of flat water or waves.
Why come on the course:
- The IKO instructor qualification is recognised worldwide
- 10 week residential course from beginner to instructor level
- One of the world's best kitesurfing locations for wind and conditions
- Job placements at the end of the course in network schools in New Zealand and Australia
- Job opportunities worldwide including throughout Europe (Spain, Greece, UK, Italy), South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Vietnam, Thailand, Egypt, Morocco, the Philippines, Caribbean and the USA
Live in NZ for 10 weeks, experiencing the beautiful country and great lifestyle, and come away with a qualification that could change your life.
Dates for 2010:
- 1st February to 9th April 2010
- 11th October to 17th December 2010
You can join the courses part way through if you already have some kitesurfing experience.
Package includes:
- Kitesurfing tuition and coaching from beginner towards IKO level three - independent riding, jumping, switching
- Instructor training, first aid and boat training
- IKO instructor course
- Waterskiing and wakeboarding training
- Accommodation within 500m of beach with full board
- Transfers from local airport or bus station (Kaitaia or Kerikeri)
Cost:
- £4,475 with shared accommodation (twin/double room)
- £4,975 with single accommodation (own room)
Price excludes travel from the UK to NZ, but otherwise it covers all your living expenses and kitesurfing tuition for 10 weeks in New Zealand.
Dive instructor course
Airzone is teaming up with a dive school on the Karikari Peninsula to offer 17 week combined kitesurf instructor and dive instructor qualifications - the perfect combination of sports for wind and no wind conditions. You should never be bored, or unemployed!
With a wealth of other activities on the peninsula including sailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, stand up paddleboarding, surfing, kayaking, fishing, golf, and horse riding, these courses and the lifestyle you will have during them are fantastic experiences that result in something tangible for the future.
Some of our previous fast track students:
Ben Mugford - Career change
Ben was a senior buyer for a defence and technology company. He'd had enough of sitting at a desk in a job he didn't enjoy. Remembering how much he enjoyed windsurfing and travelling during a gap year, Ben realised he had a choice and could make a change in his life to get away from that desk. Ben said "Many people don't like their jobs, but don't think they can do anything about it. I felt I was cheating myself by not doing anything, so I booked onto the intensive kitesurfing instructor course in New Zealand. I had a great time, and now have a new passion in my life!"
Ben and his girlfriend, Janet, who also attended the course have given up their jobs, and are now managing a kitesurfing school in Melbourne, Australia. They plan to set up their own school in Fiji or the Caribbean in the future.
"I'll never regret making the changes to my life", says Ben.
Ellie Stimpson - Gap year
Ellie had just finished college, and wanted to fund her gap year before going to university. Having completed a three day course with us in April 2009, Ellie decided she loved kitesurfing, and becoming an instructor could be the perfect way to help finance her trip and future travels. After some frustration trying to practice in the UK with the wrong conditions Ellie joined our instructor course in February and March in New Zealand. "It was great being able to kitesurf every day".
After completing the course Ellie travelled around New Zealand, then over to a kitesurfing job in Australia. After a quick stop back home it was off to Asia for some more travelling and kitesurfing before returning to the UK and university in York.
"Now all my holidays while at uni can be funded by kitesurfing instruction, and if not, I can just have fun kitesurfing!"
We cannot guarantee that you pass the IKO course - that depends on you. Though we aim to get you to the right level to take the course. All previous students have either passed the course, or have completed some extra tasks required following the course to become instructors. All are now fully signed off and teaching around the world.
For more information contact Zoe Harding at zoe@kitesurfnz.com
