Wingfoiling is a sport that’s getting more and more attention — and for good reason. It combines elements of windsurfing, kitesurfing, and foiling into one sport that works even in light wind and can be learned surprisingly quickly. This guide is for anyone considering wingfoiling and thinking about trying it in El Gouna.
What Is Wingfoiling?
Simply put: you stand on a board with a hydrofoil (wing under the water), hold a wing (inflatable wing) in your hands, and let the wind propel you. Once you catch enough speed, the board lifts above the water on the foil and you fly — silently, smoothly, above the surface.
Unlike kitesurfing, there are no lines going up into the sky. Unlike windsurfing, there’s no mast attached to the board. The wing you simply hold in your hands — and when you don’t want it, you let go.
This simplicity is exactly what makes wingfoiling so attractive. Less equipment, fewer complications, faster progression.
Why El Gouna Is Ideal for Learning
Not every spot in the world is suitable for wingfoiling beginners. El Gouna is — and here’s why:
Shallow Lagoon
Our lagoon is 2-3 km wide with a sandy bottom. For wingfoiling, that’s crucial because:
- When you fall (and you will), you stand up
- You don’t have to swim with the board and wing through waves
- You start in shallow water where you feel safe
Access to Deeper Water
Once you master the basics and move to a longer foil mast, you need deeper water (the foil is long and in shallow water it digs into the bottom). We have a boat that takes you to deeper parts of the lagoon. Simple solution you won’t find elsewhere.
Wind
Wingfoiling works from 10-12 knots — and that’s available in El Gouna practically year-round. Summer months, when wind for kite can be weak, are often ideal for wing. So wingfoiling extends your season by months when you otherwise wouldn’t be on the water.
Facilities
Everything you know from the kite spot — rescue boat, safety team, showers, sun loungers, restaurant — works for wingfoilers too.
What Equipment We Use
We don’t use random equipment. We have specific brands that we know, test, and trust.
Wings: Flysurfer
We’ve been working with Flysurfer since 2009 on kites, and we bring the same quality to wingfoiling. Their wings offer stable pull, good control, and are durable — which matters during instruction, where equipment gets handled differently than by an experienced rider.
Foils and Boards: Levitaz
Levitaz has been our choice since 2015. Their foils are designed for progressive learning — large front wings for stability and easy liftoff, smaller wings for advanced and faster riding.
How a Course Works — Step by Step
Step 1: Theory (on dry land)
We start on the beach. We show you the equipment, explain the principles — how the wing generates pull, how the foil works, safety rules. No long lectures — the practical minimum you need to know.
Step 2: Wing on the Water (without a board)
You take the wing and go into the water. You learn to handle it — how to hold it, how to generate pull, how to move with it in the water. We do this without a board because you need to feel the wing first before adding the board.
Step 3: Board without Foil
You get on the board (without foil yet or with a short mast). You learn to stand, keep balance, combine wing control with riding on the board. You fall, stand up, fall, stand up — that’s normal and in the shallow lagoon it doesn’t matter at all.
Step 4: Foiling
Once you handle riding the board with the wing, we add the foil. This is where the magic begins — the board lifts above the water and you fly. The first sensation is incredible — silence, smoothness, a feeling of levitation.
Foiling requires fine footwork. A small weight shift = board goes up. A small shift back = board comes down. It’s like balancing — but on water and in motion.
Courses and Prices
We offer several course levels:
Basic I — 5 hours
For complete beginners. We take you through all steps from theory to first foiling attempts.
- Semi-private (up to 4 students): €365
- Private (1 on 1): €515
Intro — 1 hour
Just want to try it? A one-hour intro course gives you a basic feel.
- Semi-private: €55
- Private: €75
Advanced Courses
For those who’ve mastered the basics and want to progress — transitions, jibing, riding switch.
Full course overview and prices on the wing courses page or in our detailed article about wingfoil course prices.
What’s Included
- Complete equipment (wing, board, foil, harness, helmet, vest)
- Instructor (max 4 students in semi-private)
- Rescue boat
- IWO certification
IWO Certification
After completing the course, you receive an international IWO (International Wingfoiling Organization) certificate. It works similarly to IKO in kitesurfing — it proves your level and allows you to rent equipment at wingfoil spots worldwide.
Who Learns Wingfoiling Fastest?
No sugarcoating — some prior experience helps:
- Windsurfers — the fastest students. They understand sail principles, have board feel. The transition to wing is natural.
- Kitesurfers — understand wind, know how to work with pull. Board control is different, but the foundation is there.
- Surfers / skaters — have board feeling, which helps with balance on the foil.
- Complete newcomers — you’ll learn too, it just takes a bit more time. No problem.
The average student manages first foiling attempts within the Basic I course (5 hours). Some windsurfers are foiling after 2-3 hours.
Wingfoiling vs. Kitesurfing — What to Choose?
This is a common question. Short answer: it depends on what you’re looking for.
| Wingfoiling | Kitesurfing | |
|---|---|---|
| Learning | Faster | Longer (more elements at once) |
| Wind needed | From 10-12 kn | From 12-14 kn (twintip) |
| Equipment | Simpler | More complex (kite + bar + lines) |
| Freestyle/tricks | Developing | Established |
| Adrenaline | Medium-high | High |
| Safety | High (no lines) | Medium (lines, kite overhead) |
Many of our guests do both — kite in stronger wind, wing in lighter. It’s the ideal combination.
Summer = Best Wing Season
This is important. While the main kitesurfing season is October-April, wingfoiling has a huge advantage in summer:
- Lighter wind = enough for wing
- Warm water 27-29°C = boardshorts, no wetsuit
- Fewer people on the spot = more space
- Cheaper accommodation = better value
If you’re considering a summer holiday in El Gouna and are worried about light wind, wingfoiling is the answer.
Equipment Discounts
If wingfoiling hooks you (and it hooks most people), we offer a 15% discount on new wing equipment after completing a course at our shop. That’s real savings when buying a wing, board, or foil.
And if you bring your own equipment, you get a 20% discount on courses.
What You Need to Know Before You Come
- No prior experience needed — we teach from zero
- Minimum age: 5-6 years / 25 kg — yes, kids can learn too
- Fitness: moderate — you don’t need to be an athlete, but basic swimming skills are necessary
- What to bring: swimwear, sunscreen, willingness to fall and get back up
Get Started
Wingfoiling is the sport of the future — and that’s not a catchphrase. It’s growing faster than any other water sport, and El Gouna is one of the best places in the world to learn it.
Check out our wing courses and book your dates. See you on the water — or rather, above it.