“Can our son/daughter learn too?” — this question comes up almost every time a family visits us. The answer is: yes, but differently than adults. And understanding that “differently” upfront is important so you have realistic expectations.
What Age Can Kids Start?
The minimum age is 5–6 years and the child should weigh at least 25 kg. Why 25 kilos? Because the kite generates pull and the child needs sufficient weight so the kite doesn’t drag them away. Even with our smallest kites (we have sizes from 2.5 m²), you need a certain minimum body weight.
The 5–6 age range is a guideline. Some five-year-olds are ready, others aren’t. It depends on physical fitness, coordination, but also on whether the child can follow instructions and concentrate for at least a short while. If the child can pay attention for 20 minutes and enjoys the water, that’s a good starting point.
We don’t have a hard rule of “5 years yes, 4 years no.” We always assess it individually. Write to us beforehand and we’ll tell you whether it makes sense.
How Kids’ Instruction Differs from Adults
This is the key point. Children don’t go through the same programme as adults. The standard progression for adults is: kite control on the beach, bodydrag in the water, waterstart, riding. For kids, we do it differently.
No Bodydrag
Bodydrag (being pulled through the water by the kite without a board) is an important phase for adults — it teaches you to control the kite in the water, retrieve a lost board, feel the pull. For small children, however, it’s uncomfortable and sometimes stressful. The child is lying in the water, being pulled along, swallowing water, unable to breathe properly.
So we skip bodydrag for kids. Instead, we focus on kite control on the beach and in shallow water, then go straight to the board.
From Kite Straight to Board
Once the child can steer the kite in the safe zone (and our lagoon is absolutely ideal for this — shallow water, sandy bottom), we put them on a board and try first rides. The instructor is right beside them, keeping the kite under control while the child focuses on standing on the board.
First Rides Within Hours, Independence Much Later
It’s important to have realistic expectations here. Kids can get up on the board and make their first rides relatively quickly — sometimes within the first or second day. It looks amazing and children get a tremendous thrill from it.
But — and this is a big but — the road to independence is much longer than for adults. The child needs to grow, build strength, improve coordination. An independent kitesurfer who sets up their own equipment, assesses conditions, and heads out on the water? That takes a few more years and a lot of practice.
Don’t see this as a negative. Those first rides with the instructor by their side are absolutely magical for kids. And if they come back every season (and many families do — 80–90% of our customers are returning guests), the progress is visible year on year.
Why El Gouna Is Ideal for Kids
The Lagoon
Our lagoon is practically made for teaching children. It’s 2–3 km long, has a sandy bottom, and the depth ranges from 40 cm to chest height on an adult. For kids, that means they can stand in most zones. No need to swim, no fear of depth.
The lagoon has 3 zones by level, so children train in the safest section, well away from advanced riders.
Rescue Boat
A rescue boat is on the lagoon all day. For parents, this is important information — even if anything happens, help is there within minutes.
Warm Water, No Waves
The lagoon water is warm (around 24–28 °C most of the year) and perfectly calm. No waves, no currents. For kids, this is crucial — waves are stressful and drain energy that should go toward learning.
What to Do with Younger Kids (Under 5)
If your children are younger than 5, it’s too early for kite lessons. But that doesn’t mean they’ll be bored.
Playground
Right at our centre, we have two kids’ zones:
- Zone for the little ones (1–4 years) — a safe, fenced area with toys and shade.
- Wooden playground (4–10 years) — a large wooden playground with bridges, ropes, and trampolines. Kids love this and can spend hours there.
Restaurant and Activities
In our restaurant, we have foosball, pool table, table tennis, and darts. For older kids who aren’t having a lesson at the moment, it’s a perfect way to pass the time while parents are out riding.
What If One Parent Doesn’t Kite
A common scenario: one parent surfs, the other watches the kids. El Gouna is great for this because there are plenty of other activities — beaches, pools, diving, paddleboarding, golf, cycling, shopping at the marina. El Gouna is a complete resort, not an isolated kite station.
Practical Information for Parents
Lesson Format
We always teach kids in private format — one instructor per child. We don’t put kids into semi-private with another child or adult. Every child needs a different pace, a different approach, and full attention.
Lesson Length
Kids’ lessons are shorter than adult ones. It depends on age and fitness, but typically 30–60 minutes. Children tire more quickly and at a certain point stop paying attention. A short, intensive lesson is better than an hour and a half where the last thirty minutes are ineffective.
Equipment
All equipment is included in the course — small kites, children’s boards, vest, helmet. You don’t need to buy or bring anything.
Sunscreen and Hydration
This sounds obvious but it’s important. The Egyptian sun is strong and kids burn on the water faster than you’d think. Quality waterproof sunscreen SPF 50+ and plenty of water are a must. We make sure kids drink during the lesson, but you should apply sunscreen before they go out.
Realistic Expectations
Let’s be honest: not every child falls in love with kitesurfing. Some kids try it, enjoy it for a bit, and then want to go back to the playground. And that’s completely fine.
On the other hand, some kids take to it immediately and drag you to the water every day. We’ve had six-year-olds who learned to ride better than some adults within a week.
The most important thing is not to push. If the child doesn’t want to, let it go. The kite will still be there next year. And in El Gouna, there’s so much else to do that nobody will be bored.
How to Book a Course for Your Child
Write to us via the contact form or go straight to online booking. Include your child’s age and weight and we’ll tell you whether it’s the right time to start and what we specifically recommend. Every child is different and the approach should be too.
We’ve been teaching since 2004 and over that time we’ve had hundreds of kids on the water. We know what works, what doesn’t, and when it’s better to wait. And we’ll always be honest about whether it makes sense for your child — even if that means saying “come back next year.”