Kitesurfing in Light Wind in Egypt — Does It Work?

Light wind doesn't mean the end of your session. Bigger kite, foil kite, hydrofoil, or wingfoil – in El Gouna we have solutions for light wind.

This is a question we mainly get from people considering a stay during the summer months. And the honest answer? It depends on what equipment you have and how willing you are to adapt to the conditions. Let’s break it down.

How the Wind Actually Works in El Gouna

El Gouna is one of the most reliable kite spots in the world. But even here, there are periods when the wind dies down. The main wind season runs from mid-August through April — during this time, the wind blows reliably and strong. From May to July, the wind weakens, and July can be a month when the wind shuts off for a few days completely. For the full month-by-month picture, see our best time to kite in El Gouna guide, built on four years of data from our own weather station.

But it’s important to distinguish between “light wind” and “no wind.” Complete calm is rare even in summer. Most of the time, at least 8–12 knots blow — and that’s a range you can work with. Just not with any kite.

The Problem with Your Own Equipment

And here’s the core issue. If you fly in with your own 10-metre kite weighing 80 kg, you need at least 14–15 knots to even get going. When it blows 10 knots, you sit on the beach and stare at the water.

Meanwhile, a suitably skilled rider of a different weight may be able to use an available 17 m² kite in the same measured wind. That does not mean the size guarantees a session: rider ability, safe conditions, local rules and equipment availability still decide whether anyone should launch.

That’s the fundamental difference between a limited quiver and access to a full range of equipment.

Solution #1: Bigger Kite

The simplest solution. The bigger the kite surface, the less wind you need. Our rental centre offers kites from 3 to 21 m². A Flysurfer Soul or Sonic in the largest sizes can ride in conditions where most kiters are packing up.

Here’s a rough guide:

Rider weight	Strong wind (20+ kn)	Medium wind (14–18 kn)	Light wind (10–13 kn)
65 kg	7–9 m²	10–12 m²	14–17 m²
80 kg	9–11 m²	12–14 m²	17–21 m²
95 kg	11–13 m²	14–17 m²	19–21 m²

These are approximate values — they depend on kite type, riding style, skill and other factors. A broader quiver creates more options than a single kite, but it cannot make every light-wind period safely rideable. If you’re not sure how kite size maps to wind strength, our how to choose a kite size guide walks through it.

Solution #2: Foil Kite

The Flysurfer kites we use include foil kites (a tubeless wing inflated by the air flowing through it). They have several advantages over classic tube kites in light wind:

• Better pull in lower wind — the aerodynamic profile is more efficient
• More stable in light wind — they don’t fall out of the sky as easily
• Wider wind range — one kite covers a broader range of conditions

If you’re used to tube kites, the transition to a foil kite takes a bit of getting used to. But in light wind, it’s like night and day. We’ve been the official Flysurfer distributor and test point in Egypt since 2009, so you can try the latest models on the water before you decide.

Solution #3: Hydrofoil

This is the game changer for light wind. A hydrofoil — a board with a wing under the water — radically reduces drag and lets you ride in conditions where you’d have no chance on a twintip board.

With a hydrofoil and a bigger kite, you can ride from 8–10 knots. That’s an extremely low threshold and opens up entirely new possibilities.

We have hydrofoil equipment available for rent and also offer hydrofoil courses. But you need solid kitesurfing fundamentals at independent-rider level, because foiling requires full concentration on your feet and board — you can’t be thinking about the kite.

More about hydrofoiling in El Gouna in our hydrofoil learn guide.

Solution #4: Wingfoiling

And then there’s wingfoiling — a completely different sport, but an excellent alternative for light wind days. A wing (a handheld inflatable wing) combined with a foil board works from 10–12 knots, and during the summer months in El Gouna it’s often a better choice than kite.

Our 5-hour wingfoil course provides a structured introduction from wing handling towards foil work. Prior windsurfing or kitesurfing experience can help, but the package does not promise a particular result; conditions and demonstrated skills decide the pace. If you’re weighing the two sports, here’s our take on kitesurfing vs wingfoiling.

Summer months are ideal for wingfoiling — warm water, light wind, fewer people on the spot.

Practical View: How Many Days Will You Ride?

Let’s be realistic. If you come to El Gouna in July for 10 days, how many will you spend on the water?

With one 12-metre kite and a twintip, your usable window may be narrower than with access to a larger quiver, hydrofoil or wing setup. But it would be misleading to turn that equipment difference into a promised number of riding days: wind, water level, rider skill, equipment availability and safety all matter.

Rental gives the team more matching options; it does not manufacture wind or guarantee extra sessions.

Summer in El Gouna — The Hidden Advantage

Most kiters automatically target October–April. And they’re right — it’s the best wind period. But summer has its advantages:

• Fewer people on the spot — during peak season we run with up to 25 instructors and the spot is busy. In summer there are fewer of us on the beach and plenty of space
• Lower accommodation prices — especially July is significantly cheaper
• Warm water — 27–29 °C, boardshorts and a rashguard, no wetsuit
• Sports combo — one day kite, next day wing, third day beach
• Quiet — if you’re not looking for parties and action, but peace on the water

What to Do When There’s No Wind at All?

That happens too. And you know what — it’s not the end of the world. El Gouna offers plenty of other activities:

• Our beach club — relax in the shade with a sea view
• Snorkelling — El Gouna has excellent coral reefs
• Paddleboarding — in calm conditions, the lagoon is like glass
• Diving — the Red Sea is one of the best diving destinations in the world
• El Gouna downtown — restaurants, cafés, shops

And usually the calm lasts a day or two at most. Then the wind comes back. For more on what to do off the water, see our guide to El Gouna activities.

Summary: Light Wind Can Open More Options

The key message: a broader equipment range can make some light-wind periods usable for a suitable rider. A bigger kite, foil kite, hydrofoil or wingfoil may help, but no setup guarantees a session; wind, water, depth, rider level and safety all matter.

And that’s the advantage of our rental centre with 250+ kites. You don’t have to bring three kites in a board bag. We check the measured conditions and your level, then recommend suitable available equipment when the session is safe and rideable.

Want more equipment options for your trip? Book your equipment and send us your level and dates; we confirm availability and plan from the actual conditions.