IKO 1 Discovery
On the beach and in the shallows with the kite. Setting up, flying it with control, launching and landing with a buddy, the safety systems.
Steps 1A–1C, 1D–1F · Sesh ID 1 to 2 · VDWS 1
IKO levels explained.
IKO splits learning to kite into four levels. Each one has lettered steps, 1A to 4. Here is what they mean in normal words, and where they sit on VDWS and on the Sesh ID kitesurf ladder (levels 1 to 12, free, signed by your school).
IKO 2 Intermediate
In the water. Body dragging downwind and upwind, getting your board back, self-rescue, and your first waterstarts.
Steps 2G, 2H, 2I–2J, 2K · Sesh ID 3 to 6 · VDWS 2 to 3
IKO 3 Independent
Riding. Both directions, controlling your speed, staying upwind, changing direction. This is where you can go out on your own.
Steps 3L, 3L–3M, 3M, 3N · Sesh ID 7 to 10 · VDWS 4 to 5
IKO 4 Advanced
Toeside, carving, varied conditions, and first jumps with controlled landings.
Steps 4 · Sesh ID 11 to 12 · VDWS 6 to 7
Step by step
Every level of the Sesh ID kitesurf ladder, what you can do, and the closest IKO and VDWS step.
| Sesh ID | Name | What you can do | IKO | VDWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kite control | Sets up, flies and lands a trainer or small kite with control in the wind window. | 1A–1C | 1 |
| 2 | Launch & land | Launches and lands a full-size kite with an assistant, walks with the kite, uses the safety systems. | 1D–1F | 1 |
| 3 | Body drag | Body drags downwind in both directions with power control. | 2G | 2 |
| 4 | Upwind body drag | Body drags upwind to recover the board, one-handed kite control. | 2H | 2 |
| 5 | Relaunch & self-rescue | Relaunches from the water, performs a self-rescue and a controlled steady pull with the board on. | 2I–2J | 3 |
| 6 | Waterstart | Water starts and rides a few metres in one direction with control. | 2K | 3 |
| 7 | First metres | Rides consistently in one direction, controls speed and stops safely. | 3L | 4 |
| 8 | Riding both sides | Rides in both directions and recovers the board and kite alone. | 3L–3M | 4 |
| 9 | Riding upwind | Holds and gains ground upwind, returns to the starting point; rides independently. | 3M | 5 |
| 10 | Transitions | Changes direction without stopping, sliding or with a small pop. | 3N | 5 |
| 11 | Toeside | Rides toeside both ways and carves transitions; rides in varied conditions. | 4 | 6 |
| 12 | Jumps & advanced | Jumps with controlled landings; first freestyle, wave or foil moves. | 4 | 7 |
Equivalents are a guide. IKO and VDWS set their own levels by their own assessments. A Sesh ID level only ever comes from a school, after a signed lesson.
Your level, signed and free
Your school signs each lesson, so your level travels with you. Show one code at the next school or rental desk.
Questions
- What are the IKO levels?
- IKO teaches kitesurfing in four levels: 1 Discovery, 2 Intermediate, 3 Independent and 4 Advanced. Each level is split into lettered steps, from 1A (kite control on the beach) to the riding steps of level 3 and the advanced skills of level 4.
- What IKO level do I need to rent a kite?
- Most rental desks want an independent rider: IKO level 3, or someone who can show they ride both ways, stay upwind and do a self-rescue. On Sesh ID that is level 9 (riding upwind) on the kitesurf ladder.
- How do IKO levels compare to VDWS?
- Roughly: IKO 1 is VDWS 1, IKO 2 is VDWS 2 to 3, IKO 3 is VDWS 4 to 5, and IKO 4 is VDWS 6 to 7. The full table, step by step, is on this page. It is a guide, not an official conversion.
- Is a Sesh ID level the same as an IKO card?
- No. Sesh ID is independent and free. Your school signs your lessons and your level climbs a 12-step ladder that means the same at every school. The IKO and VDWS steps are listed next to it as a reference only: no federation card is needed, and a level never costs money.
- How long does it take to reach IKO level 3?
- It depends on the wind, the water and how often you go. Flat, shallow water and steady wind make it a lot quicker. A school that signs on Sesh ID shows how long its beginners take to waterstart, from its own signed lessons.
All the level ladders · Kite size calculator · Plan your sesh