Why Germans Love Kitesurfing in El Gouna

German speakers are over half our guests: direct flights, German-speaking instructors and an organized resort — why they keep coming back.

When we look at our statistics — and we do so regularly — one thing is clear: German-speaking guests make up more than half of everyone who visits us. A large share come from Germany, with strong numbers from Switzerland and Austria too. Together, that’s a solid majority. And it’s no coincidence.

In this article, we’ll look at why Germans, Austrians, and Swiss specifically choose El Gouna as their kitesurfing destination — and why they keep coming back year after year.

Direct Flights From Germany — 4 to 5 Hours and You’re at the Spot

This is probably the most practical reason. From most German airports — Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg — you fly to Hurghada (HRG) in roughly 4 to 5 hours. Direct flight, no connections. Depart in the morning, stand on the beach in the afternoon.

From Hurghada it’s then about 30–40 minutes by car. We arrange an airport transfer so the whole logistics stay simple and painless — just tell us your flight details when you book.

For comparison: if a German wanted a quality kite spot with warm water and reliable wind, alternatives like Tarifa, Dakhla, or Zanzibar mean either a longer journey or more complicated connections. El Gouna is simply the closest.

VDWS Certification — What Germans Want

In Germany, the VDWS (Verband Deutscher Wassersport Schulen) is the familiar standard. It’s not just a piece of paper — it’s a system that German kitesurfers understand and trust. When someone in Germany learns kitesurfing, they often ask: “Do you have VDWS?”

Here’s how it works with us, honestly. We’re an IKO Pro Center, so the IKO skills and level actually demonstrated are recorded with our courses at no extra charge. Course completion does not promise independent-rider status. The center is also a VDWS-accredited school: VDWS-qualified instructors can issue a VDWS certificate for €40 as an add-on to your kite course. Just let us know in advance so we can pair you with the right instructor.

Why does it matter? An IKO or VDWS record makes the skills you actually demonstrated easier for another school to understand. It can support a rental request, but it is not an automatic worldwide pass: each centre still checks your ability, local rules, conditions and equipment availability. If you’re new to the acronyms, our IKO certification guide explains what each level means.

German-Speaking Instructors — But Capacity Is Limited

This is an important point we state honestly: we have German-speaking instructors, but not unlimited. During peak season (September–November, March–May) they’re in high demand — because more than half of our guests speak German.

If you want a guarantee of instruction in German, book early. In peak season that can mean weeks or even months ahead. That’s not marketing, it’s reality.

The alternative? All of our instructors speak English, and between the team we cover eight languages. But we understand that when you’re learning a new sport and need to absorb safety instructions, your native language is simply more comfortable.

El Gouna Isn’t Typical Egypt

This is something Germans who’ve been here say most often: “El Gouna is different.” And they’re right.

El Gouna is a self-contained, managed resort town with controlled entrances, medical services, supermarkets, restaurants and bars. That organised layout is convenient, but it is not a safety guarantee; current official Egypt advice and normal travel precautions still apply.

For Germans who value order and reliability, this matters. It’s not about stereotypes — it’s simply that when you plan a holiday and invest money, you want to know what you’re getting. In El Gouna, you do.

An Organized Kite Spot With Clear Structure

Our spot sits at the northern end of El Gouna, with broad upwind and downwind space. The lagoon is 2–3 km long and about 1 km wide: the first roughly 800 m is knee-to-waist deep over sand, followed by independent-riding and dedicated deeper foil zones. Depth changes with tide and conditions.

Rescue support is available during operating hours, without a guaranteed intervention or response time. In peak season we run a full instructor team with a standard maximum of two students per instructor, plus real-time coaching through two-way BB Talkin Bluetooth helmets. Our fleet includes 250+ Flysurfer kites and 60+ boards. Want to learn the method behind it? See how we teach.

If you bring your own gear, a Kitepass covers beach access and equipment storage is available by the day or season. Course and rental users do not buy a separate Kitepass. Everything has its price and its rules — and that’s exactly what Germans appreciate.

Facilities for the Whole Day — Not Just Sport

Our spot isn’t only about kitesurfing. We have a beach club right on the sand with food and cold drinks, a kids’ playground for families, and a shaded space with a sea view for those who need to get some work done. The playground is not supervised childcare; an accompanying adult stays with the child and remains responsible.

Many German guests come for longer stays — two to four weeks — combining sport with work. Morning kite, afternoon laptop, evening dinner in El Gouna. It works.

Why Do They Keep Coming Back?

Around 8 in 10 of our guests are returning customers. That number speaks for itself. But what specifically draws them back?

• Trust: They know the spot, they know the instructors, they know what to expect. No surprises.
• Community: After a few seasons, the same faces meet on the beach. Friendships form. It feels less like a business and more like a community.
• Value for money: Equipment, facilities, and conditions at a price that makes sense. Our beginner course takes you from zero into the water and records the IKO level actually demonstrated at no extra charge — see the page for current prices, and add VDWS for €40 if you’d like it.
• A defined layout: the first roughly 800 m is the knee-to-waist-deep sandy teaching area; beyond it are independent-riding and dedicated deeper foil zones. Depth changes with tide and daily conditions.

Kitepower’s school history dates to 2004, the current northern base has operated since 2016, and Lukáš and Andrea Vogeltanz have co-owned and run it since 2023.

How It Works Practically

If you’re from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland and considering a kitesurfing holiday, here’s a simple plan:

1. Book a flight to Hurghada (HRG) — direct flights from most German airports.
2. Arrange your transfer — tell us your flight and we’ll pick you up at the airport.
3. Book your course or equipment — through our booking page or by email.
4. If you want a German-speaking instructor, book as early as possible. The sooner, the more certain.

And if you’re not sure when to go, read our spot and season guide where we break the conditions down month by month.

Conclusion

Many German-speaking guests value a combination of practical access, an organised resort layout and the community at the base. Flights, services, conditions and personal experience still vary by date, so we describe the parts we can verify rather than promise a particular trip.

We’re glad that over half our guests speak German, and we do everything we can to make them come back — with quality equipment, a professional approach, and spot facilities that simply work.

See you at the spot.