Guide to Converting IKO Kitesurf Instructor Certification to OPES/CONI Certification - Sailing Instructor, discipline DV005 - Kiteboarding, according to the requirements of the National Sports Qualifications System SNaQ.
IKO assists you in navigating the steps to obtain the dual certification IKO - OPES/CONI and pursue the profession of Kitesurf Instructor in Italy.
The conversion opportunity is open to all certified kitesurf instructors, whether Italian or foreign, working in Italy. Its aim is to improve the quality of sports education and ensure greater professionalism and economic fairness in the world of kitesurfing.
This dual certification ensures that kitesurf instructors have the necessary skills to teach effectively and safely, offering the opportunity for regular employment within sports associations and/or kitesurf schools, and ensuring stable income and associated labor rights.
The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) is the national body responsible for the promotion and organization of Olympic sports.
OPES (Organization for Sports Education) is a sports promotion organization recognized by CONI. It collaborates closely with CONI and international organizations like IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) to promote physical education and sports in Italy.
OPES is committed to converting IKO Kitesurf Instructor certifications to OPES/CONI certifications and recognizes the teaching provided by IKO as of a high standard. Thus, OPES enables the conversion of instructors' diplomas issued by IKO Examiners into OPES/CONI diplomas.
This collaboration is essential to ensure a professional and safe sports system for all.
The goal is to improve the quality and safety of sports education in Italy, building a more solid and professional future for the kitesurfing world in Italy, in compliance with local regulations.
Thanks to the collaboration between IKO and OPES/CONI, the procedure for converting the IKO certification to OPES/CONI certification is straightforward, affordable, and can be carried out by all IKO Instructors wishing to work in kitesurf schools in Italy that are part of the same association.
The procedure to obtain the dual certification is as follows:
For already certified IKO Instructors who want to work in Italy, it is possible to directly request the conversion of their IKO Kitesurf Instructor certification from OPES/CONI, obtaining the National Diploma as Kitesurf Instructor OPES/CONI - Sailing Instructor, discipline DV005 - Kiteboarding, according to the requirements of the National Sports Qualifications System SNaQ.
The procedure requires filling out a form, paying an annual fee to OPES/CONI, and submitting the necessary documentation. Once the conversion is completed, the OPES/CONI certification will be issued.
It should be noted that the OPES/CONI equivalence applies only to IKO Instructors with a valid certificate. If the IKO certificate has expired, the OPES/CONI equivalence will not be valid, but you can attend an IRC course (Kitesurf Instructor Reinstatement Course) for reinstatement.
The agreement, in force since 2020, has an annual duration and is tacitly renewed in the following years.
The national contact person for OPES/CONI for maintaining relations with IKO is Andrea Frateiacci.
To facilitate instructor candidates, some Italian IKO Centers offer to cover the cost of converting the IKO - OPES/CONI certification for their candidates, including it in the cost of the professional ITC course (Instructor Training Course).
To ensure that the certification conversion is included, contact directly the IKO Center where you will attend the professional instructor course (ITC - Instructor Training Course).
This collaboration represents a significant step towards a safer, more professional, and fairer sports future for kitesurfing in Italy.
This joint commitment to excellence in sports education reflects the determination to promote high standards in the sector, ensuring a professional and safe environment for all kitesurfing enthusiasts in Italy.
