One of the most common questions I get from people after their course: “What kite should I buy?” And my first answer is always: “Before you buy anything, ride from a rental for a while.” Why? Because choosing the right kite size isn’t as simple as it seems — and a wrong choice will cost you money and frustration.
But let’s look at this systematically.
Two Factors: Weight and Wind
Kite size depends on two main things:
- Your weight. A heavier rider needs a bigger kite to generate enough pull. A lighter rider rides with a smaller kite.
- Wind strength. Stronger wind = smaller kite. Lighter wind = bigger kite.
That’s the whole principle. But the devil is in the details.
A Practical Example
Let’s say you weigh 75 kg and you’re in El Gouna. Typical afternoon wind is around 15–22 knots (the standard range during peak season).
In those conditions, you’d most often ride a 9–12 m² kite. In stronger wind (20+ knots), you’d reach for a 9 m²; in lighter wind (12–15 knots), a 12 m². If the wind picks up further, you might go down to a 7 m².
A 60 kg rider in the same conditions would use a kite 1–2 m² smaller. A 90 kg rider, 1–2 m² bigger.
Reference Table
This table is a guideline — actual selection also depends on kite type, rider level, and riding style:
| Rider weight | Light wind (10–15 kn) | Medium wind (15–20 kn) | Strong wind (20–25 kn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55–65 kg | 10–12 m² | 8–10 m² | 6–8 m² |
| 65–80 kg | 12–14 m² | 9–12 m² | 7–9 m² |
| 80–95 kg | 14–17 m² | 11–14 m² | 9–11 m² |
| 95+ kg | 17–21 m² | 14–17 m² | 11–14 m² |
Again: these are approximate figures. The instructor on site will always advise the exact size based on current conditions.
Why It’s More Complicated Than It Looks
Beyond weight and wind, other factors play a role:
Kite type. Foil kites (like Flysurfer Soul or Sonic) have different performance characteristics than tube kites (like Stoke or ERA). A 10 m² foil kite can generate the same pull as a 12 m² tube kite. Details in our article Foil Kite vs Tube Kite – What’s the Difference?.
Rider level. A beginner needs a slightly “oversized” kite — a bigger kite delivers slower, more forgiving pull that’s easier to handle. An advanced rider can go with a smaller, more aggressive kite.
Riding style. Freeride, big air, foiling, waves — each style requires a slightly different approach to sizing.
Board type. With a twin-tip, you need more pull than with a foil board. A hydrofoil lifts you above the water and reduces drag, so a smaller kite is enough.
Why a Rental Is Better Than Owning a Kite
Here’s the key argument: in our rental centre, you have access to over 250 kites in sizes from 2.5 to 21 m². That means no matter what the wind does, you always have the right kite.
If you buy your own kite — say a 12 m² — you ride it when conditions suit a 12 m². When conditions call for a 9 m², the 12 is too big and it’s dangerous or uncomfortable. When conditions call for a 15 m², you don’t have enough pull. So with one kite, you cover roughly a third of wind conditions.
Most kitesurfers who ride their own gear own 2–3 kites of different sizes. That’s an investment of at least €2,500–4,000. And you still won’t cover everything.
At a rental for €10/day (Kitepass) plus storage, you have our entire fleet. And you don’t have to deal with maintenance, repairs, or transport.
When Buying Your Own Makes Sense
I’m not saying buying your own equipment is a bad idea. It makes sense if:
- You ride regularly (20+ days per year)
- You ride at one spot with predictable wind
- You know exactly what style you ride and what you need
- You want a specific model you’ve already tried
If you’ve just finished a course and are still deciding — ride from a rental. Try different sizes, different kite types. After 10–20 days on the water, you’ll know exactly what fits you.
And when you decide to buy, as a course graduate with us you get a 15% discount on Flysurfer and Levitaz equipment in our shop.
How It Works in Practice at Our Centre
You arrive at the centre, we check the wind, consider your weight and level, and prepare your kite. If the wind changes during the day — which does happen in El Gouna — we swap your kite for a different size. No extra charge, no stress.
This system works brilliantly and it’s one of the reasons people keep coming back. Nobody wants to worry about whether they have the right gear. With us, we handle that for you.
A Few Final Tips
- Don’t buy equipment before the course. Wait until you know what you need.
- Listen to your instructor. When they say 10 m², go with 10 m². Not 12 m² because “you want more pull.”
- Don’t underestimate safety. Too big a kite in strong wind is dangerous. Too small a kite in light wind gets you nowhere. The right size = safety + fun.
- Ask. Via contact, we’re here to help. Feel free to send a photo of conditions and your weight — we’ll tell you what you’d need.
See you on the water.
Lukáš Vogeltanz Kitepower El Gouna