Daniele Olivieri, a pioneer of kiteboarding, champion of life and new IKO Examiner
03 Sep 2014
The IKO would like to introduce to you, Daniele Olivieri, a new Examiner at the IKO.
Even though Daniele is a new Examiner, he is a very experienced kiteboarder. He has been kiting since about 1999. Daniele and his good friend learned to kite together and became pioneers of the sport. His friend even shaped their boards. Daniele laughs at this now because he would caution those trying to shape their own board not to do it unless they are professionals.
WHAT DANIELE BRINGS TO THE IKO
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One of the most inspiring assets that Daniele brings to the IKO is his motivation to learn. Daniele is regularly embarking upon new things. He is always in a state of learning. When asked why he does this to himself, he had the most incredibly inspiring response. He said, “As you learn new things, you understand the fear and the weakness of the beginner. As an Instructor or Examiner, it is important to understand your students.”
This desire to learn makes him an excellent Examiner, as it keeps him fresh and in demand. All students want an instructor who shows that he can relate to where they are at enough to teach them how to overcome both their fear and weaknesses. Because Daniele keeps the perspective of a student in the forefront of his mind, he is able to transmit to new instructor candidates some of the most important aspects of how to train.
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BUIDLING UP HIS STUDENTS
Daniele talks fondly about his students and their successes. In particular, he spoke of one student that was not so fit when she started. After a while she kept coming back and was extremely motivated. “Kiting inspired her,” exclaimed Daniele. She is now fit, owns her own equipment, and is an independent kitesurfer. “Kiting is an action sport but anyone can do it. It becomes extreme if you do not take the proper lessons and learn the sport the right way.”
IKO EXAMINERS ARE CHAMPIONS OF LIFE
Not only is Daniele now a member of IKO’s elite team of Examiners, but also, a champion of life. Most of the Examiners chosen by the IKO don't just excel at kiteboarding and teaching but they realize the champion within themselves. Even more astonishing, they inspire the champion in all of us. Daniele is the epitome of this signature pattern found in IKO Examiners. His life achievements demonstrate this clearly.
KTS KITE SCHOOL
In 2002, Daniele founded KTS Kite School in Tarifa, Spain, KTS Kite School and in only four he expanded it. He does not take all the credit, and attributes some of his success to luck. “I was involved at the right time,” he says. “I would say that I ‘catched the wave.’” He met the right people that helped him grow his business.
TRAINING PATH TO EXAMINER
Even though Daniele had been kitesurfing and running his own school for 6 years before becoming formally trained, he knew instinctually that he needed to get formal training. He did just that when it finally became available through the IKO. He chose the IKO because it is the only kiting organization, “that has these high of standards and methods of training. They also have a great network of schools and instructors. The founders are committed and have passion, which is something everyone in the industry is trying to emulate.”
Daniele has been in the kiting business 15 years. He has now reached the top of the food chain in the industry by becoming an IKO Examiner this past March. “Finally, becoming an Examiner will help me transmit all the experience and knowledge I have been acquiring all these years. It gives me a lot of motivation.”
The whole process of becoming an Examiner took Daniele about 1 year. The training itself was three weeks. Each week was at a different location. The first week was in Holland where he mostly observed an Examiner. The second week, he travelled to South Africa where he participated more in the training by helping the Examiner with the ITC. He points out that while these trainings were exhilarating, “Jet lag is a consideration.” Fortunately for Daniele, his final third week was at his home in Tarifa.
ADVICE FOR ASPIRING KITE INSTRUCTORS
For those wanting to become instructors, Daniele says, “One of the first qualities an instructor must have is to be comfortable with people and with the environment. As you are, you will transmit your feelings to people. You want to connect with people and make it possible for them to trust you and learn to love the sport.”
WHAT IS NEXT FOR DANIELE?
In the future, Daniele wants to expand opening new schools in Spain, and then hopefully elsewhere in Europe. Today in Tarifa, Spain, there are about 15,000 people, and because the wind is perfect most of the year, there are a lot of kiting businesses. “Opening a brand new shop would be difficult now because the sport has matured bringing in a lot of competition,” Daniele says, which is why he wants to expand where the environment is good and the market is ready.
WHAT DOES HE DO ON HIS OFF TIME
When asked, he said, “I do triathlons just for fun or motor biking. I also spend time with my family, and of course, my girlfriend.” That’s right, ladies. This catch is already in the net.
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