When you watch kitesurfers on the water, you see a kite up top, a board below, and a person in the middle. But what exactly do you need? What’s this “bar” thing? Why are kites different sizes? And most importantly — do you need to buy anything before you start?
The last question first: no. For a course, you don’t need anything of your own. We have everything and it’s all included in the price. But it’s good to know what you’ll be working with. So let’s get into it.
The Kite
The kite is the colourful canopy flying overhead that pulls you across the water. It’s the heart of the whole sport — without it, you’re not going anywhere.
Kites differ in two main ways: type and size.
Kite type:
- Tube kites (LEI) — have inflatable tubes that hold their shape. When they fall into the water, they’re easy to relaunch. Examples from our fleet: Flysurfer Stoke, ERA, Indie.
- Foil kites (ram-air) — have no inflatable parts, work similarly to a paraglider. Lighter, pack smaller, have a wider wind range. Examples: Flysurfer Soul, Sonic.
- Hybrid — a combination of both. Inflates with wind, no pump needed. Example: Flysurfer Hybrid.
A more detailed comparison in our article Foil Kite vs Tube Kite – What’s the Difference?.
Kite size: Measured in square metres (m²). The bigger the kite, the more pull it generates. Lighter rider or stronger wind = smaller kite. Heavier rider or lighter wind = bigger kite. In our rental centre, we have kites from 2.5 m² (strong wind, foiling) to 21 m² (light wind). That means we find exactly the right one for everyone.
During the course, you don’t need to worry about size selection — the instructor chooses the kite based on your weight and the current wind.
Bar and Lines
The bar is the control stick you hold to steer the kite. From the underside of the bar, 4 lines (sometimes 5) run up to the kite. Line length is typically 20–25 metres.
You steer the kite with the bar — pulling one side turns it, pulling in/letting out the bar changes the power. The bar includes a safety system — when you release the bar, the kite loses its pull. And if you trigger the safety, the kite disconnects completely. Safety is built into the design.
During the course, the instructor shows you exactly how the bar works. It’s one of the first things you learn — still on the beach, before you go on the water.
Board
As a beginner, you’ll use a twin-tip — a symmetrical board that works in both directions. You don’t need to flip it, you simply ride left or right. It’s the standard for 90% of kitesurfers.
Board size depends on rider weight and level. Beginners get a bigger board — it’s more stable and easier to stand on. More advanced riders move to smaller, faster boards.
There are other board types too:
- Directional — surf-style boards for waves
- Foil boards — smaller boards with a hydrofoil for flying above the surface
But that’s a topic for later. At the beginning, the twin-tip is your best friend.
Harness
The harness is a belt around your waist (or seat) that the bar hooks into. Without a harness, you’d have to hold all the kite’s pull with your arms — and that would last about two minutes.
Two types:
- Waist harness — wraps around your waist. Most kitesurfers use this. Greater freedom of movement.
- Seat harness — wraps around waist and thighs. Doesn’t ride up, better back support. Sometimes recommended for beginners.
During the course, we give you a harness that fits. We have various sizes and types, including children’s. More about harnesses in our article Kitesurfing Harness – How to Choose the Right One.
What Else
Wetsuit or rashguard: Depends on the season. In summer (April–September), boardshorts or a rashguard are enough. In winter (December–February), a full wetsuit. We have everything available to borrow. Detailed overview in our article Wetsuit or Rashguard?.
Water shoes: Recommended. There are occasional shells on the beach and a coral reef in the distance. Neoprene booties protect your feet and can be borrowed from us.
Helmet and vest: Mandatory during the course. Included in the price.
Sunglasses with a strap: Optional, but you’ll appreciate them on the water. The glare off the surface is intense.
What You Get During the Course
To be clear — the Basic I course (8 hours, €465 semi-private / €695 private) includes all equipment:
- Kite in the correct size
- Bar and lines
- Board
- Harness
- Helmet and vest
- Walkie-talkie for communication with the instructor
- IKO certification upon completion
You don’t need to buy or bring anything. Show up in swimwear (or a wetsuit, depending on the season) and everything else is ready.
And After the Course?
After the course, you have two options:
- Rental. With your IKO certification, you can rent equipment and ride independently. A Kitepass costs €10/day, and equipment is selected based on current conditions. We have over 250 kites and 70+ boards — you choose from our entire fleet.
- Own equipment. If you decide to invest in your own gear, as a course graduate you get a 15% discount in our shop. But don’t buy anything before the course or without consulting an instructor. Everyone needs something different and poorly chosen equipment will take the joy out of riding.
The advantage of a rental is access to all sizes. If you own one 12 m² kite and conditions call for a 9 m², you’re out of luck. With us, you grab a 9 and go.
How Much Does It All Cost (If Buying Your Own)
Approximate prices for new equipment:
- Kite + bar: approx. €1,200–2,000
- Board: approx. €400–800
- Harness: approx. €150–300
- Wetsuit: approx. €100–300
Total around €2,000–3,500 for a complete setup. That’s why many people start with rentals and buy their own equipment once they know exactly what they want.
Summary
For the course, you need nothing. We have everything. After the course, you can rent or buy — but first learn to ride and then sort out the gear. It’s like skiing: nobody buys skis before their first lesson.
Got questions about equipment? Write to us via contact — we’re happy to advise.
Lukáš Vogeltanz Kitepower El Gouna