Kitesurfing Equipment Explained for Beginners

Kite, board, harness, bar and lines — what each part does and what you actually need for a course. A simple explanation of kitesurfing equipment for complete beginners.

When you watch kitesurfers on the water, you see a kite up top, a board below, and a person in the middle. But what exactly do you need? What’s this “bar” thing? Why are kites different sizes? And most importantly — do you need to buy anything before you start?

The last question first: no. For a course, you don’t need anything of your own. We have everything and it’s all included in the price. But it’s good to know what you’ll be working with. So let’s get into it.

The Kite

The kite is the colourful canopy flying overhead that pulls you across the water. It’s the heart of the whole sport — without it, you’re not going anywhere.

Kites differ in two main ways: type and size.

Kite type:

• Tube kites (LEI) — have inflatable tubes that hold their shape. When they fall into the water, they’re easy to relaunch. Examples from our fleet: Flysurfer Stoke, ERA, Indie.
• Foil kites (ram-air) — have no inflatable parts and work similarly to a paraglider. Lighter, pack smaller, and have a wider wind range. Examples: Flysurfer Soul, Sonic.
• Hybrid — a combination of both: inflates with the wind, no pump needed. Example: Flysurfer Hybrid.

As a beginner you’ll almost always learn on a stable, easy-relaunching tube kite — your instructor handles the choice for you.

Kite size: measured in square metres (m²). The bigger the kite, the more pull it generates. Lighter rider or stronger wind often means a smaller kite; heavier rider or lighter wind may call for a bigger one. Our rental centre spans 3 m² to 21 m², giving the team broad matching options. A particular size remains subject to availability, rider level and safe conditions.

During the course you don’t need to worry about size selection — the instructor chooses the kite based on your weight and the current wind.

Bar and Lines

The bar is the control stick you hold to steer the kite. From the underside of the bar, 4 lines (sometimes 5) run up to the kite. Line length is typically 20–25 metres.

You steer with the bar — pulling one side turns the kite, sheeting the bar in or out changes the power. The bar also carries the safety system: when you let go of the bar, the kite loses its pull; if you trigger the safety release, the kite disconnects completely. Safety is built into the design.

During the course, the instructor shows you exactly how the bar works as you rig on the beach — and then you take that knowledge straight into the water, where the real learning happens.

Board

As a beginner, you’ll use a twin-tip — a symmetrical board that works in both directions. You don’t need to flip it; you simply ride left or right. It’s the standard for around 90% of kitesurfers.

Board size depends on rider weight and level. Beginners get a bigger board — it’s more stable and easier to stand on. More advanced riders move to smaller, faster boards.

There are other board types too:

• Directional — surf-style boards for waves
• Foil boards — smaller boards with a hydrofoil for flying above the surface (see hydrofoil lessons)

But that’s a topic for later. At the beginning, the twin-tip is your best friend.

Harness

The harness is a belt around your waist (or seat) that the bar hooks into. Without a harness, you’d have to hold all of the kite’s pull with your arms — and that would last about two minutes.

Two types:

• Waist harness — wraps around your waist. Most kitesurfers use this; greater freedom of movement.
• Seat harness — wraps around waist and thighs. Doesn’t ride up and gives better back support. Sometimes recommended for beginners.

During the course we give you a harness that fits. We carry various sizes and types, including children’s.

What Else

Wetsuit or rashguard: depends on the season. In summer, boardshorts or a rashguard are enough. In winter (roughly December–February), you’ll want a full, long wetsuit — not a shorty. We have everything available to borrow.

Water shoes: recommended. There are occasional shells on the beach and a coral reef in the distance. Neoprene booties protect your feet and can be borrowed from us.

Helmet and vest: included with the course. At Kitepower the helmet is a two-way BB Talkin Bluetooth helmet, so your instructor can talk to you — and hear you — in real time on the water.

Sunglasses with a strap: optional, but you’ll appreciate them on the water. The glare off the surface is intense.

What You Get During the Course

To be clear — the Zero to Hero beginner course (8 hours, €465 semi-private / €695 private) includes all equipment:

• Kite in the correct size
• Bar and lines
• Board
• Harness
• Two-way BB Talkin helmet and a vest
• Recording of the IKO skill level you actually demonstrate, at no extra charge

You don’t need to buy or bring anything. Show up in swimwear (or a wetsuit, depending on the season) and everything else is ready. Curious how the lessons themselves run? See how long it takes to learn kitesurfing.

And After the Course?

After the course, the right next step depends on the skills you can demonstrate:

1. Rental. If you ride upwind, can self-rescue and pass the centre’s practical safety check, you can request rental equipment. Your IKO record helps document your level but does not guarantee approval. Rental already includes beach access and the Kitepass facilities, so there is no separate Kitepass to buy; the team recommends suitable available gear for your level and the measured conditions.

2. Own equipment. If you decide to invest in your own gear, course graduates get a discount in our shop. But don’t buy anything before the course or without talking to an instructor first — everyone needs something different, and poorly chosen gear takes the joy out of riding.

The big advantage of renting is access to a much broader size range than one travel kite. If you own one 12 m² kite and the measured conditions call for something smaller, your options are limited. Our team can recommend a suitable available alternative, but no particular size or session is guaranteed.

How Much Does It All Cost (If Buying Your Own)

Approximate prices for new equipment:

• Kite + bar: approx. €1,200–2,000
• Board: approx. €400–800
• Harness: approx. €150–300
• Wetsuit: approx. €100–300

That’s roughly €2,000–3,500 for a complete setup — which is why many people start with rentals and buy their own gear once they know exactly what they want. If you store your kit with us between trips, see our gear storage too.

Summary

For the course, you need nothing — we have everything. Once your demonstrated skills and the centre’s safety check support independent riding, rental can be the next step; buying remains another option later. First learn to ride, then sort out the gear. It’s like skiing: nobody buys skis before their first lesson.

Got questions about equipment? Get in touch — we’re happy to advise.

Lukáš Vogeltanz Kitepower El Gouna