Wetsuit or Rashguard? What to Wear Kitesurfing in Egypt

What to wear for kitesurfing in El Gouna? Month by month – from a full wetsuit in winter to boardshorts in summer. A practical overview.

One of the most practical questions I get: “What should I wear?” It makes sense — you’re flying to Egypt, so you expect heat. But kitesurfing on the water in 20 knots of wind is a different story from lounging by the pool. Wind chill is a real thing, and in the winter months it’ll catch you off guard.

This article is short and practical — exactly how you need it. If you’re still deciding when to come, pair it with our month-by-month wind guide, built on four years of our own weather-station data.

Month by Month

January – February

Full, long wetsuit 4/3 mm or 3/2 mm. The coolest months in El Gouna. Air temperature around 18–22 °C, water around 19–21 °C. With wind on the water it feels noticeably colder. Without a wetsuit you’d be shivering after an hour. Some people add a neoprene hood or thin gloves, but usually a full wetsuit is enough.

The upside of these months? Fewer people, more space on the lagoon. And after a session, a warm coffee at our beach club does the trick.

March

Shorty wetsuit 3/2 mm. It’s warming up. Air around 22–26 °C, water slowly heating up. A shorty is usually just right — it protects your torso but leaves arms and legs free. Some days towards the end of March a rashguard is already enough, but it’s better to have a shorty handy.

April – September

Boardshorts, lycra or rashguard. This is where summer begins. Temperatures 28–40 °C, water 24–28 °C. No wetsuit needed. Swimwear and a rashguard for sun protection are enough — and I mean that seriously. UV radiation in Egypt is intense, and on the water the glare off the surface amplifies it. Getting sunburnt after two hours on the water without protection is almost guaranteed.

I recommend:

• Long-sleeve rashguard (UV protection)
• Quality waterproof sunscreen SPF 50
• Boardshorts or short leggings

October – November

Shorty wetsuit 3/2 mm. Temperatures drop back to 22–28 °C and the water cools down. October is still pleasant; in November you’ll appreciate a shorty, especially for morning and late sessions.

December

Transition: shorty to full wetsuit. Early December is still shorty weather, but by the end of the month you’ll want a full, long wetsuit. Around Christmas and New Year, count on being glad to have a 3/2 mm or 4/3 mm.

Water Shoes

Recommended year-round. There are occasional shells and sharp pebbles on the beach, and in the shallows you might step on something unpleasant. Neoprene booties (1.5–3 mm) protect your feet and also give better grip on the board.

We have water shoes available to borrow at the centre, so you don’t need to bring your own.

What We Have Available to Borrow

At our centre on the lagoon, the wetsuit range includes children’s and adult sizes. If you don’t want to bring one, tell us your size before the trip so the team can confirm a suitable suit is available.

All equipment including wetsuit and rashguard is included in the course price. Through the rental centre, you can also borrow a wetsuit separately.

A Few Practical Tips

• Sunscreen. Even under a rashguard. UV penetrates wet lycra more than you’d expect.
• Hydration. You forget to drink on the water. But at 35 °C with physical exertion, dehydration comes fast. Keep a water bottle on the beach.
• Hood and buff. In winter, a neoprene hood; in summer, a buff or cap under your helmet.
• After the session. Keep dry clothes on the beach to change into. Wet lycra + wind = cold, even in summer.

Summary

Month	What to wear	Air temp	Water temp
Jan–Feb	Full, long wetsuit 3/2–4/3	18–22 °C	19–21 °C
Mar	Shorty wetsuit	22–26 °C	21–23 °C
Apr–Sep	Boardshorts/rashguard	28–40 °C	24–28 °C
Oct–Nov	Shorty wetsuit	22–28 °C	23–26 °C
Dec	Shorty to full wetsuit	19–24 °C	20–23 °C

Nothing complicated. The main takeaway: in summer, you don’t need to worry about a thing; in winter, bring a wetsuit or borrow one from us. New to the sport and not sure what else to pack? Our guide on how to learn kitesurfing covers the rest.

Lukáš Vogeltanz Kitepower El Gouna