IKO Learn to Kite vs Surprise
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
IKO Learn to Kite
Learn kiteboarding with a world-class methodology. This app brings the classroom to the beach, offering theoretical knowledge and practical guidance to improve skills and safety. Suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike, it features eBooks, videos, and an official license.
- World-class kiteboarding methodology
- Theoretical knowledge for skill improvement
- eBooks for all levels (Discovery to Advanced)
- How-to videos for essential techniques
- Official vCard kiteboarding license
- Study online even without wind
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Join over 600 000 students who have learned kiteboarding with the IKO world-class methodology. Kiteboarding is a very exciting sport and understanding the theoretical aspects behind the technique is key to improving your skills and being a safer kiter. With the IKO app, we now bring the classroom to the beach and deliver this knowledge straight in your hands. The IKO app is the ultimate learning companion to facilitate your lessons and boost your progression. Beginners, speed up your learning and get on the board faster! Riding already? Progress to the next level with the Evolution riding content such as the Freeride, Freestyle, Wave Riding or Hydrofoil eBooks. No wind? No problem, study online and be ready for your next session. Download the app today to start reading for free the “Solution to Kiteboard better” eBook, where you will learn essential topics such as spot assessment, weather science, equipment, kiteboarding terminology, and much more. Whether you’re flying a kite for the first time or you’re ready to step up your game, this eBook is where it all starts. 25+ hours of online learning: 10 eBooks: All levels from Discovery to Advanced, including Freeride, Freestyle, Wave Riding and Hydrofoil 72 minutes of how-to videos: Topics such as Basic flying, Self-Landing, Water-Start, Riding upwind, Basic jumps and more. The IKO app is also home of the vCard, your official kiteboarding license recognized by the IKO community in more than 60 countries around the world. Get your riding level certified by an IKO Instructor and display your identification anywhere and anytime to rent gear and facilitate beach access. Since 2001, the IKO sets the highest quality standards for the learning and practice of kiteboarding. The IKO is the world's’ largest organization that strives for a safe and sustainable growth of kiteboarding by empowering people to experience the sport with confidence.
Surprise
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Inside the Surprise app, you can: Access all of your videos in one easy to use app Receive push notifications with the latest news and updates Access to all of your videos without having to remember your password Save your favorite posts so you can quickly find them later
Screenshots
Verdict
IKO Learn to Kite and Surprise are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
IKO Learn to Kite ships an update every 5 weeks, Surprise monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | IKO Learn to Kite | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (43 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 43 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 102 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | IKOintl | Emily Sudduth |
In-app purchases
IKO Learn to Kite
No in-app purchases
Surprise
No in-app purchases








