July 11, 2026. What is it? Something big happened in Sri Lanka. Four local kiters stepped up to take the IKO Instructor certification. One of them, a 21-year-old named Sehanthi Binanga (Binu for friends), made history as the first female IKO Instructor in Sri Lanka. And with her, a door swung open for everyone who comes next.
Kiteboarding has long been a male-dominated sport, and that is changing, slowly, one certification at a time. In some countries, it's just a watersport, a passion. In others, it's a game-changer.
Worldwide, IKO counts close to 34,000 certified female kiters and more than 800 female Instructors, out of roughly 5,000 total. About 30 IKO Centers are women-owned, roughly 8% of the total (read the blog: “Women and Kitesurfing: A Perfect Match”). Binu just became part of it, a group that's growing.
Binu hopes her story can be an inspiration to others. An IKO Instructor qualification is not just one certificate, but a wide open door for the next generation, no matter who or where they are.
This story was written at Margarita Kite School (MKS), an IKO Pro Center run by Eusebi Laudes, IKO Assistant Trainer, and Ruben Gomez Subils, IKO Instructor, with the IKO Examiner, Guido Ruzzenenti, leading the Instructor Training Course, on the lagoon in Kalpitiya.
Four local candidates walked in with their dreams and experience and walked out as certified IKO Instructors, but one name stood out: Sehanthi Binanga.
She is not just a new IKO Instructor. She is the first Sri Lankan woman to earn an IKO Instructor certificate in her country. IKO runs about 150 Pro Courses a year, certifying some 600 new instructors worldwide and Sri Lanka just added a woman's name to that list. It's a huge step for kiteboarding.
Binu discovered kiteboarding thanks to her uncle, who put a kite in her hands for the very first time. There were hard days, but she kept coming back, because she loved the sport too much to walk away. That's what resilience looks like: not giving up, one session at a time.
Now she carries that title with pride and hopes her story pushes others to give the sport and the carrier a try, and she is quick to thank the people who helped her get there, IKO Assistant Trainer Eusebi and IKO Examiner Guido.
Guido Ruzzenenti, IKO Examiner, has run many Instructor Training Courses (ITC), but this one felt different. “Every course has its own energy, but this one had something extra. Binu grew up on this spot. She learned to kite from her uncle, then worked hard and committed herself to passing the IKO Pro Courses, ATC and ITC.
Being part of her journey and seeing her progress day after day throughout the course was truly rewarding. Watching her develop the skills, knowledge, confidence, and teaching mindset needed to become an excellent instructor in the future made this course especially meaningful.”
It's a demanding, hands-on process: the ATC (Assistant Training Course)first, then the Instructor Training Courses (ITC), 5 days each, 10 days total, that turn a strong kiter into a certified instructor. Candidates also trained with an MFA (Medic First Aid) and CPR certification, so they're also ready to handle an emergency if one ever comes up. They must teach safely, follow IKO Standards, and adapt to every student, all part of the IKO training path. It's tough, but it's fair: the wind doesn't care if you are a man or a woman, it only asks if you are ready.
Eusebi Laudes, IKO Assistant Trainer, said the school's goal isn't just to train more kiters, but to develop more local instructors too. "It shows that the sport is becoming more accessible and inclusive. A local female instructor sends a message to young women considering careers in tourism, since kiteboarding opens doors into coaching and hospitality too."
Kalpitiya is not just where Binu's story happened. It's a kiteboarding spot built for learning: flat lagoon, warm water, and steady wind for about 9 months a year. Wetsuits? Never heard of them around here.
As Guido said: “This lagoon gives everyone a fair shot: flat water, steady wind, space to learn. If you want to become a kiter or an instructor, Kalpitiya is a great place to make it real.”
Binu's journey started with a passion for kiteboarding and one clear goal: to turn it into a way of life, and to help grow the sport as an opportunity. It ended with an international certification and a place in history. Yours can start today too, MKS runs Pro Courses every year. You'll need a solid level as a kiter first, but once you're in, it's game on.
Our sport should shout it to the world: no borders, no gender limits, just space for everyone to enjoy its beauty and its opportunities…do you remember the Pai-Pai story?! Becoming an IKO Instructor opens the door to a career you can carry anywhere in the world. A real dream job, unlike any other: exciting, full of good vibes, and deeply rewarding.
Are you ready to take the first step? Sign up now, and tell this story to a friend, especially if she's a woman. She's exactly the right person to hear it ;)
