People sometimes ask me what it’s like to be a kite instructor in Egypt. They imagine it’s a permanent holiday – all day on the beach, a bit of teaching, and then cocktails. Reality is a bit different. It’s a job we love, but it’s still a job.
Here’s a typical day for one of our instructors during peak season.
7:30 – Morning
Alarm. Coffee. Check the forecast on Windguru. This is the first thing every instructor does – check what’s blowing, from where, and how much. Based on that, they know which kites to prepare and how to plan the day.
In peak season (April–May, September–November), the wind blows practically every day. In winter months, it’s about 5 out of 7 days. But even when the forecast looks good, you verify conditions in person at the beach in the morning.
8:30 – At the Center
Arrival at the Kitepower center. Blue instructor vests are the first thing you put on – they’re our identifier on the water and on the beach. Students need to spot you easily.
Morning briefing with the team: who has which lesson, how many students, what levels. In peak season, we have up to 25 instructors and 120-150 guests per day. Coordination is key.
Then equipment preparation. You inflate kites, check lines, bars, safety systems. Every kite is inspected before a lesson – no shortcuts. You select sizes based on the student’s weight and current wind. From our 250+ Flysurfer kites, you pick exactly what the student needs.
9:00-9:30 – Morning Briefing
Students arrive. Beginners are nervous – and that’s normal. The instructor explains what to expect: how a kite works, safety rules, signals, bar handling. This is the dry part – but it’s absolutely crucial.
For advanced students, the briefing is shorter. You review where you left off yesterday, what you want to improve today, and what the plan is.
9:30-12:00 – Morning Session on the Water
This is the core of the day. The instructor goes into the water with the student and teaching begins.
For beginners: kite piloting in the water, body drag, first attempts with the board. For advanced: edge riding, jumps, transitioning to a foil.
The key tool is the walkie-talkie. Every student has a waterproof radio in their helmet and the instructor communicates in real time. “Pull more with the left hand. Look forward. Now press down with your heel.” – this instant feedback is the reason our students progress faster.
The instructor is in the water the entire time. Standing in the lagoon (waist-deep water) watching the student. Or on the rescue boat if the student is already riding farther from shore. The rescue boat patrols the lagoon all day – it’s the safety net that gives peace of mind to both student and instructor.
The morning session lasts roughly 2-2.5 hours. Then it’s break time.
12:00-14:00 – Lunch and Break
Lunch at our restaurant. Instructors sit with students, answer questions, explain what went well and what to work on. These informal conversations are often just as valuable as the lesson itself.
Some take a nap. Some go for a swim. Some check the next forecasts. Rest is important – teaching kitesurfing is physically demanding. You’re standing in water, holding kites, helping students get up, running across the beach.
14:00-17:00 – Afternoon Session
The second session of the day. Afternoons are often windier thanks to the thermal effect – the wind typically picks up. That’s great for advanced students who need more power.
For beginners, the instructor selects a slightly larger kite in the morning and a smaller one in the afternoon – or vice versa, depending on what the student needs. Matching equipment to conditions is something we do automatically, and students appreciate it.
At the end of the afternoon session, the instructor summarizes the day. What the student accomplished, what still needs practice, what’s the plan for tomorrow.
17:00-18:00 – End of Day
Packing up equipment. Kites are deflated, folded, and stored. Bars are coiled, boards are rinsed and put into storage. Filling out records – every student has their IKO card and the instructor logs what they’ve achieved.
At the end of the course comes the moment students have been waiting for: IKO certification. The instructor evaluates what level the student has reached and issues an international IKO certificate – free of charge. With it, the student can go to any IKO school in the world and pick up where they left off.
After Work
Some instructors go kiting themselves – after a full day of teaching, they finally get to enjoy the water on their own. Others sit in the restaurant, have a beer, and chat with guests. Some head to the go-kart track or Downtown.
Most of our instructors live in El Gouna year-round. They have an apartment, friends, a routine here. It’s not a seasonal gig – it’s a lifestyle. And that shows in the teaching. When you’re taught by someone who loves what they do and lives where they do it – the quality is simply different.
What Makes a Good Instructor
After 20 years of running a school, I know what sets a great instructor apart from an average one:
- Patience – teaching beginners requires endless patience. You repeat the same thing a hundred times and have to say it with enthusiasm every time.
- Communication – being able to explain technique simply and clearly. Not every great kiter is a great teacher.
- Attentiveness – watching the student, reading their body language, recognizing when they’re tired, frustrated, or ready for the next step.
- Safety – never making compromises. Never sending a student onto the water in conditions they can’t handle.
That’s our standard. And that’s why people come back.
Want to experience what it’s like to learn from our instructors? Check out our kite courses or wing courses. And if you’re curious about our method – read about how we teach.