How to Choose the Right Kite Size

What kite do you need? It depends on your weight and wind. Examples, a reference table, and why a rental is better than owning a single kite.

One of the most common questions I get from people after their course is: “What kite should I buy?” My answer is to avoid rushing. Once a practical check confirms independent upwind riding and self-rescue, approved rental can let you compare equipment before buying; completing a course by itself does not grant rental access. Choosing the right kite size isn’t as simple as it seems, and a wrong choice will cost you money and frustration.

But let’s look at this systematically.

Two Factors: Weight and Wind

Kite size depends on two main things:

1. Your weight. A heavier rider needs a bigger kite to generate enough pull. A lighter rider rides with a smaller kite.

2. Wind strength. Stronger wind = smaller kite. Lighter wind = bigger kite.

That’s the whole principle. But the devil is in the details. If you’re still getting comfortable with the terms here, our kitesurfing glossary explains the basics in plain language.

A Practical Example

Let’s say you weigh 75 kg and you’re in El Gouna. Typical afternoon wind is around 15–22 knots (the standard range during peak season).

In those conditions, you’d most often ride a 9–12 m² kite. In stronger wind (20+ knots), you’d reach for a 9 m²; in lighter wind (12–15 knots), a 12 m². If the wind picks up further, you might go down to a 7 m².

A 60 kg rider in the same conditions would use a kite 1–2 m² smaller. A 90 kg rider, 1–2 m² bigger.

Reference Table

This table is a guideline — actual selection also depends on kite type, rider level, and riding style:

Rider weight	Light wind (10–15 kn)	Medium wind (15–20 kn)	Strong wind (20–25 kn)
55–65 kg	10–12 m²	8–10 m²	6–8 m²
65–80 kg	12–14 m²	9–12 m²	7–9 m²
80–95 kg	14–17 m²	11–14 m²	9–11 m²
95+ kg	17–21 m²	14–17 m²	11–14 m²

Again: these are approximate figures. The instructor or beach team assesses the measured conditions, your weight and level before recommending a suitable available size.

Why It’s More Complicated Than It Looks

Beyond weight and wind, other factors play a role:

Kite type. Foil kites (like Flysurfer Soul or Sonic) have different performance characteristics than tube kites (like Stoke or ERA). A 10 m² foil kite can generate the same pull as a 12 m² tube kite.

Rider level. A beginner needs a slightly “oversized” kite — a bigger kite delivers slower, more forgiving pull that’s easier to handle. An advanced rider can go with a smaller, more aggressive kite.

Riding style. Freeride, big air, foiling, waves — each style requires a slightly different approach to sizing.

Board type. With a twin-tip, you need more pull than with a foil board. A hydrofoil lifts you above the water and reduces drag, so a smaller kite is enough. If you want to understand how the wind window affects how much power a given size makes, see how kites generate power.

Why a Rental Is Better Than Owning a Kite

Here’s the key argument: in our rental centre, the fleet includes over 250 kites in sizes from 3 to 21 m². That range gives the team far more options to match your weight, level and measured conditions than a small travel quiver. Specific equipment remains subject to availability, and no fleet can guarantee a session when wind, water or safety conditions are unsuitable.

If you buy your own kite — say a 12 m² — you ride it when conditions suit a 12 m². When conditions call for a 9 m², the 12 is too big and it’s dangerous or uncomfortable. When conditions call for a 15 m², you don’t have enough pull. So with one kite, you cover roughly a third of wind conditions.

Most kitesurfers who ride their own gear own 2–3 kites of different sizes. That’s an investment of at least €2,500–4,000. And you still won’t cover everything.

With approved rental, beach access is already included and the team recommends suitable available gear from the fleet; you do not add a Kitepass. A Kitepass and storage are instead useful when you bring and keep your own equipment at the spot.

When Buying Your Own Makes Sense

I’m not saying buying your own equipment is a bad idea. It makes sense if:

• You ride regularly (20+ days per year)
• You ride at one spot with predictable wind
• You know exactly what style you ride and what you need
• You want a specific model you’ve already tried

If you’ve finished a course and are still deciding, ask for a practical rental assessment. Once independent upwind riding and self-rescue are confirmed, approved rental can help you try different sizes and kite types; access still depends on current skills, conditions and availability.

And when you decide to buy, you’ll find Flysurfer kites and Levitaz hydrofoils in our shop — we’ve been Flysurfer’s official distributor and test point since 2009.

How It Works in Practice at Our Centre

You arrive at the centre, we check the wind, consider your weight and level, and prepare your kite. If the wind changes during the day — which does happen in El Gouna — we swap your kite for a different size. No extra charge, no stress.

This system works brilliantly and it’s one of the reasons people keep coming back. Nobody wants to worry about whether they have the right gear. With us, we handle that for you.

A Few Final Tips

• Don’t buy equipment before the course. Wait until you know what you need.
• Listen to your instructor. When they say 10 m², go with 10 m². Not 12 m² because “you want more pull.”
• Don’t underestimate safety. Too big a kite in strong wind is dangerous. Too small a kite in light wind gets you nowhere. The right size = safety + fun.
• Ask. Via contact, we’re here to help. Feel free to send a photo of conditions and your weight — we’ll tell you what you’d need.

See you on the water.

Lukáš Vogeltanz Kitepower El Gouna