“When you’re just kiting you are doing something for yourself, but when you are teaching, you are doing something for someone else.”

Bart Miller, IKO EXAMINER

IKO presents its new Examiner, Bart Miller, who joined IKO’s most elite team of trainers this year. He completed his IKO Examiner training in March 2015, earning him the well-deserved station of trainer of kiteboard instructors.

WHAT BART BRINGS TO THE IKO

Not just anyone can be selected to become an Examiner. Candidates must not only demonstrate great teaching and athletic ability, but they must also demonstrate commitment and passion for promoting the sport of kiteboarding.

Our very own, Bart Miller, is one of the few selected. His passion, athletic ability, business acumen and outstanding accomplishments towards protecting the sport are among the top reasons Bart was appointed as an Examiner.

BART, THE DEFENDER OF THE SPORT

Bart is a passionate Kiteboarder and he contributes to the advancement of the sport in the United States by advocating for the beaches to remain open in Southern California.  He does this by promoting safety.

BART PROTECTS KITESURFING THROUGH SAFETY

In Los Angeles County, beaches are regulated. Beach regulations vary from community to community. Lifeguards are the gatekeepers of the beaches in their respective areas because they advise community leaders on whether areas or activities are safe.

Bart initiated a free safety clinic through a nonprofit that is hosted every spring to train lifeguards. He did this for the purpose of advocating for safety and promoting kitesurfing as a safe sport. This keeps the sport protected in his area.

Bart also teaches other clinics, hosts kite expos in his area and offers individualized safety training ---all to keep “the powers that be” in support of kitesurfing.  Bart’s two main goals for his career are to:

1. Stay involved in any thing that promotes the sport, keeps it safe and open.
2. Teach young instructors, which furthers his goal #1.

BART MILLER STARTS A KITE SCHOOL, THEN BECOMES AN EXAMINER

Six years ago, Bart opened his own kite school, “SoCal Kitesurfing & Kiteboarding.” After 2 years, he decided that he wanted to train certified instructors. Then, over the next four years, he worked toward becoming an Examiner. Some things he did to accomplish that included: working in different schools and conditions; teaching from boats in waves; teaching in various languages and environments. This helped him build the skills he needed to be confident as an Examiner.

Once accepted into the Examiner training program, he moved as quickly as he could. He first worked his way as Assistant Examiner. Then, he took courses together with a Master Trainer at both his own school and other locations achieving Examiner status in March 2015.

INSTRUCTOR MILLER BECOMES A COACH

One can become an instructor, but one earns the title “Coach.” Bart has just done that. He is not only a teacher but he teaches to help. “What I like best about the IKO training program is helping others, said Miller. Once you instruct someone, you see him grow personally and flourish as well as see the adventures they experience being an instructor. Seeing amazing things happen to students over the years is what excites me.”

WHAT COACH MILLER LIKES ABOUT THE IKO

Kiting is a sport that intertwines with traveling and meeting new people in different countries.  IKO opens up opportunities to work and travel. With the IKO, you get, “international experience and a worldwide network that is coordinated to bring together all of the world’s kiteboarding knowledge,” proclaimed Miller.

ADVICE FOR KITE INSTRUCTORS

If you want to teach, “Just go for it!” Bart says, ‘You have to really want to teach especially when it gets windy. I love to teach because I get to see students’ progress. It adds a special dimension to kiting. When you’re just kiting you are doing something for yourself but when you are teaching you are doing something for someone else.”