Hugues Scheers is the newest IKO Examiner. We met up with him to talk about his kitesurf career and his journey through the IKO pro training path.

How did you get into kitesurfing?

I got into kitesurfing because I was looking for a change in lifestyle. I found myself stuck in  the “daily grind”, living to work and forgetting to live. I decided to take a break so I packed up all my belongings and headed to the ocean to start living life for a while. Kitesurfing was just starting to boom in South Africa and this quickly became something I absolutely had to try for myself. It didn’t take long for the bug to bite. After my first flight with the kite my life would never be the same again. The act of harnessing the power of nature for one’s own enjoyment is a beautiful thing. I wanted as much of it as possible.

Tell us about your favorite kite spot or kite experience.

I have had the good fortune of being able to kite in many different spots around the globe and as much as I enjoyed almost all of them for their own specific reasons, to me Cape Town South Africa contains so many of my favorite spots, all for a variety of reasons. It is a fantastic place to be able to chase your heart's desires: big waves, consistent wind, flat spots, sunny skies, animal encounters, amazing views and friendly people. I may be biased as Cape Town will always be my “home” spot but I truly believe every kiter should experience what it has to offer.     

Why did you decide to pursue kitesurfing professionally?

I have always been someone who enjoys sharing knowledge and skill, especially when it comes to sport or physical activities. Growing up in South Africa we are very aware how sport has the ability to change people’s lives. Kitesurfing had just changed my life for the better and all I wanted to do was share this with as many people as possible. I was stoked to be a part of the community and simply wanted to spread the stoke as much as possible. Becoming an instructor to allow me to do this professionally was a natural progression I simply had to take up as I had found a way to travel the world and spread the stoke while enjoying myself.    

Why did you become an IKO Examiner?

I have been following the IKO training path since the start of my professional instructor career. I quickly realized that as the years went by I was now teaching more and more students and thereby changing more and more people’s lives. When I first started running IKO Assistant courses as an Assistant Trainer I noticed how I now share my passion with an exponential amount of people by training people who will go on to change people’s lives. Over the years I had the good fortune of meeting quite a few of the IKO Examiners and noticed the teamwork they put in together for sharing the passion of the sport and wanted to be part of it. I am now honored to be part of this team and get to fulfill the task of shaping the future instructors that will go on to make a positive impact in people’s lives.

How has this career affected your life?

My previous “career” was in the airborne geophysics industry and as much as I enjoyed the challenges and the progress I achieved within this career I was not passionate about it. At that time I didn’t mind simply living to work. Having a career in kitesurfing has allowed me to not only do what I enjoy but I get to work in something I am truly passionate about. It is said that when work is your passion it is no longer a job but a mission. For me it is a mission I take on with pleasure and a smile on my face, and what’s better than that?     

What advice would you give to your colleagues?

Always remember where you yourself have come from and how your actions of today will invariably in some way shape the future, your own as well as others. Be honest with yourself and have the ability to look inside and identify your own weaknesses, have the courage to admit to them and correct them. Remain humble, sympathetic and honest to anyone who looks up to you for guidance, it’s up to you to BE the hero they want. Last but not least, always keep smiling; it’s just as contagious as kitesurfing!