Kitesurfschool.nl

What Kitesurfschool.nl does

Kitesurfschool.nl, operating as a trading name under Shaka B.V., is a Netherlands-based recreational watersports school founded in 1999 and recognized as the first kitesurf school in the country. The company delivers structured kitesurfing and wingfoiling lessons to individual consumers at three physical locations: Kijkduin and Scheveningen on the North Sea coast, and the inland Noord AA Zoetermeer site near The Hague. Its core customer base comprises beginners through advanced riders seeking certified instruction in a coastal recreational setting.

The school's product is built around IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) certified curriculum delivered by a team that includes approximately 8 core staff and 30+ seasonal instructors. Equipment is supplied by Duotone, and lesson scheduling runs on the Viking Bookings platform. An SHAKA-branded retail shop for watersports gear and accessories extends the offering beyond instruction, and integration with the Duotone Academy app supports post-course progression. Quality is signaled externally by IKO Pro Center certification and a public rating of 4.9 out of 5 across more than 1,000 reviews.

The business operates seasonally (April through October) on a direct-to-consumer model. Pricing is tiered by course format and duration, spanning roughly €129 for introductory group lessons to over €500 for advanced multi-day clinics and private instruction. Revenue is fragmented across many small transactions, with online gift voucher sales providing a secondary, off-season acquisition channel. There are no disclosed enterprise customers, no funding history, and no signs of venture or private equity involvement; the entity remains a privately held lifestyle business under Shaka B.V.

Name

Kitesurfschool.nl

Legal name

Shaka B.V.

Website

https://kitesurfschool.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kitesurfschool.nl, operated by Shaka B.V., is a Netherlands-based recreational watersports school founded in 1999, delivering IKO-certified kitesurfing and wingfoiling lessons at three coastal and lakeside locations to individual consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watersports Instruction Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK)

Keywords

• Kitesurf lessons
• Wingfoil instruction
• Watersports training
• Beach activity school
• Watersports education

Headquarters

HQ city

The Hague (Scheveningen)

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Kitesurf Lessons and Courses: Core revenue from teaching kitesurfing through various course formats: introduction lessons (3.5 hours), 3-day courses (10.5 hours), 5-day courses (17.5 hours), private lessons, and private lessons for pairs. All-inclusive pricing model covering instruction, equipment, and safety gear.
2. Wingfoil Lessons and Courses: Wingfoiling instruction offered at Noord AA location with similar format options: introduction lessons (2.5 hours), 3-day courses, 5-day courses, private lessons, and private lessons for pairs.
3. Advanced Clinics: Specialized advanced-level instruction including Freestyle Clinic (€180), Wave Clinic, Kite Foil Clinic (€199), and Advanced Clinic for experienced kiters wanting to improve specific skills.
4. Gift Vouchers: Prepaid gift cards and vouchers for lessons and courses, available in fixed denominations or specific course packages. Digital e-vouchers available for immediate printing.
5. Retail Sales (Shaka Kitesurf Shop): Physical retail shop in Scheveningen selling new and certified pre-owned kitesurf equipment. Separate business entity (Shaka BV) operating from same location, offering equipment sales, advice, and 100-day warranty on pre-owned kites.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kitesurfschool.nl teaches kitesurfing and wingfoiling through structured multi-day courses, introductory lessons, private lessons, and advanced clinics at three beach and lake locations in the Netherlands (Kijkduin Zandmotor, Scheveningen Zwarte Pad, and Noord AA Zoetermeer). All courses include equipment, instruction, and IKO certification under a small-group teaching format. The company also operates a complementary retail shop (SHAKA) selling kitesurf equipment and accessories.

Product overview

Kitesurfschool.nl is a kitesurfing and wingfoiling school based in the Netherlands, operating since 1999 as the country's first kitesurf school. The company offers a structured portfolio of lesson packages and courses for both kitesurfing and wingfoiling, ranging from introductory lessons to advanced clinics. The kitesurfing offerings include Introduction Lessons (3.5 hours), 3-Day Courses (10.5 hours), 5-Day Courses (17.5 hours), Private Lessons, Private for 2 lessons, and specialized Advanced Clinics covering Foil, Wave, Surf, and Freestyle disciplines. Wingfoil offerings mirror this structure with Introduction Lessons (2.5 hours), 3-Day Courses (7.5 hours), 5-Day Courses (12.5 hours), Private Lessons, and Private for 2 options. The company also operates SHAKA, a retail shop selling equipment and accessories. All courses include IKO certification pathways and feature all-inclusive pricing covering equipment, wetsuits, and instruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Introductie Les (Introduction Lesson)
• 3 Daagse Cursus (3-Day Kitesurf Course)
• 5 Daagse Cursus (5-Day Kitesurf Course)
• Privé Les (Private Kitesurf Lesson)
• Privé voor 2 (Private for 2)
• Advanced Clinic
• Freestyle Clinic
• Wave Clinic
• Wingfoil Introductie Les
• Wingfoil 3 Daagse Cursus
• Wingfoil 5 Daagse Cursus
• Wingfoil Privé Les
• Wingfoil Privé voor 2
• Cadeaubon (Gift Vouchers)
• SHAKA Kitesurf Winkel (Retail Shop)

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DuotonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquipment partner providing latest kiteboarding gear. School uses Duotone Evo freeride kites with broad wind range. Annual equipment updates ensure students use modern, safe gear. Duotone Academy app integration provides supplemental video instruction for students.
• MysticminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment sponsor providing kitesurfing gear and accessories. Brand partnership for marketing and visibility.
• IONminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment sponsor providing wetsuits and neoprene gear. Brand partnership for marketing and visibility.
• AirushminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment sponsor providing kiteboarding equipment. Brand partnership for marketing and visibility.
• International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO)coreTechnology or IntegrationCertification organization providing standardized teaching methodology, curriculum progression, and certification system. School is official IKO Pro Center meeting highest safety and quality standards. Certification allows students to receive internationally recognized kiteboarding credentials.
• DownUnderBeachminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeach bar venue at Scheveningen Zwarte Pad location providing facilities (changing rooms, showers, seating) for kitesurf lessons. School operates from this third-party location.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Real Watersports: UK kitesurfing retailer and licensed school providing IKO-certified lessons, equipment sales, and gift vouchers. Combines instruction with a physical equipment storefront, mirroring Kitesurfschool.nl's school-plus-SHAKA model.
• ProKite Cabarete: Established IKO-affiliated kitesurf school with multiple global locations offering structured beginner-to-advanced courses, comparable lesson ladder, and retail operations. Operates a similar school-plus-shop model in a different geography.

Others

• International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO): Industry certifying body whose curriculum, instructor certification, and Pro Center designation underpin Kitesurfschool.nl's structured offering. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler rather than a competitor.
• Duotone (Boards & More): Core equipment partner and parent of the Duotone Academy app. Indirect peer: not a direct school operator but the brand whose gear, methodology, and app ecosystem Kitesurfschool.nl resells and integrates.
• Cabrinha: Global kitesurfing equipment brand that supports affiliated schools and clinics. Comparable as a supplier and brand partner rather than a direct school competitor.
• Reedin Kiteboarding: Kitesurfing equipment brand sponsoring pro instructors and school partnerships. Comparable as an ecosystem participant driving instructor credibility and equipment standards.
• Naish Kiteboarding: Established kiteboarding equipment brand that runs and sponsors kite schools. Comparable as an enabling manufacturer with adjacent school operations rather than a single-location Dutch competitor.

Broad incumbents

• North Kiteboarding (North Sports): Global kiteboarding equipment manufacturer that runs and partners with schools internationally. Operates broadly in the same category but as a brand-and-equipment platform rather than a single-location school.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kitesurfschool.nl.1
• Instagraminstagram.com/kitesurfschool.nl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kitesurfschool-nl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kitesurfschool.nl