Advise for starting my own kite school?

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

So I'm thinking of starting my own kite school here in the Idaho Falls area and looking for advice from everyone on the best way to do this.

I'm already a PASA Instructor and have emailed PASA on what all it takes to become a PASA Certified School.

Also talked with First Flight Insurance out of N.C. who PASA recommends talking with about getting insurance for the school but the premium is a little rich for me, especially for someone who will only be teaching a handful of people per month at most.

So does anyone have any advice?

Thanks, Bryan

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

First thing, change your forum name!

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Where do you kite in Idaho Falls?

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

priceless dangler!

Bryan, good luck with the school, I hope you and your lady are doing well!

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

From what I remember it was about $1,500 a year with PASA for a single Instructor, for a School it is probably more, because you are insuring instructors under your school, if you are the only instructor it should be cheaper

Kite-4-Life · Since 10 Apr 2009 17 Posts St. Petersburg, Fl.

Individual IKO Instructor Insurance is 250.00/yr. but you have to be IKO certified.
School coverage is around 1000/yr.

Check with Dana at sportsinsurance.com and see if he can help you since you're already PASA.

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

proofread! Wink

Kite-4-Life · Since 10 Apr 2009 17 Posts St. Petersburg, Fl.

To clarify Very Happy

I am not sure if you can get the same kind of policy as they offer IKO instructors, but hey, it's worth a shot! (because you have a PASA certification) Wink

Doing the 3-day IKO conversion course and getting covered thru IKO for several years would still be cheaper than an annual policy from First Flight.

1surfer · Sat Nov 12, 11 7:23 am **$$$$$$**

make sure that you can afford to lose the amount of money that you invest. Not saying that you will but dont put all your eggs in one basket.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

IMO IKO is pretty weak. a money making scheme if you really look into it.

waynepjh · Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked

You can kite at americans falls res. and mud lake is also sweet! They are in the snake river plain and get lots of wind. We look for the same patterns you look for in the gorge. Permits to teach here in wyoming are priced so high there will never be a school here. Rec permits go to the commercial snowmobile operators. Good luck with the school! Idaho falls would be a great spot for a school. More driving than a gorge school but you can get way more kiting days around IF. I kited 178 days this year!

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

Wayne's right, there are a lot of spots here in IF if you are willing to drive.
I got really lucky and found a water spot close to my house.
I'm excited for the snow so I can start exploring all the snowkiting terrain.

I prefer not to get IKO certified, since I'm already PASA and REAL cert. I have a insurance friend looking into other options for insurance, so we'll see what turns out.

I have been teaching for 3 years in Hood River and would really like to continue to teach here.

Thanks to everyone who has responded and I'll let you all know how this evolves.

PS, Wayne, that last video you posted from Big Horn is awesome.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

Hot Latina instructors in bikinis.