Most Common Questions We Get From Customers

10 most common questions from Kitepower El Gouna customers. Which course, what to bring, how to get there, where to stay, and when to book.

Kitepower’s school history dates to 2004 and the current northern base has operated since 2016. Across that history, the same practical questions come up repeatedly, so here are ten direct answers.

1. Which Course Is Right for My Level?

This is question number one. And the answer depends on where exactly you are.

Complete beginner — you’ve never stood on a kiteboard: Start with our Beginner course. It’s 8 hours of instruction covering everything from the basics — theory, kite setup and safety on the beach, then into the first roughly 800 m knee-to-waist-deep teaching area for body-drag and water-start practice when conditions suit. With us you learn where it counts: in the water, not parked on the sand flying a trainer kite all day.

Beginner with some experience — you’ve tried it but don’t ride yet: It depends on what exactly you can do. Write to us and describe your experience. You might need a Refresh course or open hours with an instructor rather than a full beginner package.

Advanced — you ride but want to improve: We have advanced coaching and open hours with an instructor — from freeride to freestyle, wave and hydrofoil.

Independent rider — you just want to ride: If you bring your own gear, book a Kitepass. If you need equipment, request rental, which already includes beach access. In either case the team confirms the required independent-rider and self-rescue skills and applies the local rules and conditions.

Not sure? Write us a description of your level and we’ll recommend exactly what you need. We don’t want to sell you a course you don’t need. If you want to understand the levels first, our how we teach page walks through the whole progression.

2. Can a Couple Share One Course?

We get this mainly from couples on holiday. The answer: yes, but only if you have a similar weight. Why? Because kite size depends on the rider’s weight. If you weigh 60 kg and your partner 90 kg, you need completely different kites, and the instructor can’t effectively teach both at the same time on different gear.

If you have a similar weight (difference up to about 10–15 kg), a semi-private course works great — and we keep it to a maximum of 2 students per instructor either way. You take turns on the water, one rests and watches the other learn — and that’s actually quite valuable, because you see mistakes you can’t spot on yourself.

3. Do You Have a German-Speaking Instructor?

Yes, we do — our instructors cover 8 languages between them. But — and this is important — capacity in any single language is limited. German-speaking countries make up a large share of our guests, so the demand for German-speaking instructors is high.

If you want German instruction, book as early as possible. During peak season, that means weeks or months ahead. English is always available.

More about this in our article on German-speaking kite instructors.

4. How Do I Get From the Airport?

You fly into Hurghada (HRG) — that’s the nearest airport. El Gouna is about 30–40 minutes’ drive north. The easiest option is a private transfer; we’re happy to help you arrange one so someone is waiting for you right after you land.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi (agree on the price beforehand) or book a transfer through your hotel. Full details are on our getting here page.

5. Does an IKO Certificate Automatically Qualify Me to Rent?

No card automatically qualifies a rider. To rent kite equipment you need to demonstrate independent upwind riding and self-rescue. An IKO, VDWS or equivalent record is useful evidence, but the centre still confirms your current skills, local rules, conditions and equipment availability.

We’re an IKO Pro Center, so the skills and IKO level you actually demonstrate are recorded as part of your training at no extra charge. Completing a course does not guarantee independent-rider level or rental approval. If you’d prefer a VDWS card, qualified instructors can issue one (€40); note the centre itself isn’t VDWS-accredited. More in our guide to IKO certification.

6. What Should I Bring?

Minimum — and we mean it. If you’re renting equipment:

• Swimwear and towel — obvious
• Sunscreen with high SPF — the Egyptian sun is strong, even under clouds
• Sunglasses with a strap
• Light windbreaker — for cooler winter days on the water
• Wetsuit — for the winter months (December–February) you’ll want a full, long wetsuit, but you can also rent one from us; in summer boardshorts and a rashguard are plenty
• Water shoes — the bottom is sandy, but some people prefer them

What you don’t need: kite equipment (if renting), harness (we have them), lycra (we have them).

7. Where Should I Stay?

El Gouna offers accommodation from backpacker to luxury. A few tips:

• Budget: Airbnb in El Gouna, hostels, simple hotels.
• Mid-range: 3–4★ hotels, apartments with kitchens.
• Luxury: 5★ resorts right by the sea.

Our spot is on the northern edge of El Gouna. The position can provide an open approach, while the usable riding zone depends on the actual wind, water level, traffic and rider ability. Confirm the journey time and current fare from your exact accommodation rather than relying on an old estimate.

Accommodation isn’t included in course prices, but we’re happy to advise. See our accommodation guide or write to us via contact.

8. Is Winter Good for Beginners?

Absolutely yes. And in many ways, winter is actually better for beginners than peak season.

Why:

• Fewer people on the water — more space for learning, less stress
• Lower accommodation prices — especially January and February
• More instructor attention — it’s quieter, so you get more one-on-one time

The only downside: it’s cooler. Air around 20–22 °C, water similar. You’ll wear a full, long wetsuit (we provide one). The wind doesn’t blow every single day in winter, but well over half of days still ride. And on the water, when the wind blows and you’re riding, the cooler air doesn’t matter at all. For the month-by-month picture — built on data from our own weather station — see our best time to kite guide.

9. Can I Store My Equipment With You?

Yes. We offer short-term and long-term storage. Many of our regular guests leave their equipment here year-round — and our return rate is about 8 in 10.

Details are in our article about Kitepass and long-term storage.

10. Should I Book in Advance or On Site?

In advance. Here’s why:

During peak season we’re often fully booked. Especially if you want:

• A specific date
• A German-speaking instructor
• A private course
• Rental during peak season

On site, you might have to wait a day or two for a slot to open up. And for instructors in a specific language, it could be even longer.

In quieter months it’s more flexible, but even then we recommend booking at least a week ahead — at minimum so we know you’re coming and have everything prepared for you.

Book your spot online — it’s quick and you’ll know right away that you have a place.

Bonus Question: Is It Safe?

We don’t get this one directly that often, but we know many people think about it. So:

El Gouna is a managed resort town with controlled entrances, local security and useful services. That does not make any trip risk-free or replace current official advice. Use normal precautions and check your government’s Egypt guidance before travelling; our travel-safety guide lists the practical checks.

As for kitesurfing — our spot offers:

• A defined shallow teaching area — the first roughly 800 m is knee-to-waist deep over sand, followed by a dedicated deeper foil zone; depth changes with tide and conditions
• Rescue support available during operating hours, with no guaranteed intervention or response time
• Two-way BB Talkin Bluetooth helmets — during courses, the instructor can both talk to you and hear you in real time, right there on the water
• Northern position — the team selects the usable zone and margins from the live wind, depth, traffic and rider level

The school dates to 2004 and the current base to 2016. Safety is still assessed from the actual rider, wind, water level, traffic and equipment on the day.

Have Another Question?

This was the top 10, but of course we’ll answer anything else. Write to us via the contact page or directly by email. Lukáš and Andrea respond personally and usually within a few hours.

And if you’ve found your answers and know what you want, book your dates and we’ll see you on the water.