You know the feeling. Two years ago you took a course, rode for a few days, and it was great. Then life happened – work, family, other priorities. And now you’re sitting on a plane to Egypt thinking: “Can I still do this?”
The answer is almost always yes. But not right away and not without help. And that’s exactly why refresh courses exist.
When You Need a Refresh
There’s no exact cutoff, but here are some guidelines:
You definitely need a refresh if:
- Your last kiting was 12+ months ago
- You never mastered consistent upwind riding
- You’re not sure how safety systems work on modern equipment
- You taught yourself (without a certified instructor)
A refresh is a good idea if:
- Your last kiting was 6–12 months ago
- You can ride upwind but feel uncertain
- You want to progress further (transitions, jumps) and don’t know how
- You’re switching to a different type of equipment
You don’t need a refresh if:
- You ride regularly (at least a few days per month)
- You have solid upwind and safety routine
- You know what you’re doing and just want to ride
What Happens During a Refresh
At Kitepower El Gouna, it looks like this:
Skill Check (First Half Hour)
The instructor goes through the basics with you on the beach – inflating the kite, safety systems, launch. Then you head to the water and they observe what you can do. Kite control, bodydrag, waterstart, riding. No “what level are you at” questions – they simply watch and see.
This is important because people often overestimate or underestimate their abilities. Someone who says “I only know the basics” sometimes rides surprisingly well. And conversely – someone who claims they “know everything” has gaps in safety procedures.
Setting Goals
Based on the skill check, the instructor sets the program. Options include:
- Basic refresh: Kite control, waterstarts, riding – for those who need to regain confidence
- Upwind focus: Upwind riding technique – for those who never properly mastered it
- Transitions and advanced: Turns, switch riding, jump basics – for those who want the next level
- Depower technique: Bar work, edge control, efficient use of wind power – for those who ride but “struggle”
The Actual Lesson
With a walkie-talkie in your ear. The instructor stands on shore or rides alongside you, correcting in real time. This is a huge difference compared to trying to remember on your own what you learned. Instant feedback = rapid progress.
3 Hours or 6 Hours?
We offer two options:
Refresh 3h – €175 individual / €255 for two
- For those who just need to “get back into it”
- You had a break but before that you rode solidly
- You want to check safety and do a few runs with an instructor
- Typically done in one day
Refresh 6h – €395 individual / €595 for two
- For those who had a longer break or want to work on specific skills
- You never mastered consistent upwind and want to catch up
- You want to move to the next level (transitions, jumps)
- Spread across 2–3 days
How to Decide?
Simple test: Do you remember how the chicken loop and quick release work? Do you know what to do when the kite enters the power zone and you don’t want it to? If yes, 3 hours is probably enough. If you’re hesitating on these questions, 6 hours is the better choice.
Why Not “Just Rent and Go”
I understand the temptation. You have an IKO certificate, you can technically rent equipment, so why pay for an instructor?
Three reasons:
1. Safety Safety systems evolve. If you learned 5 years ago, your kite had a different safety than what flies today. Modern Flysurfer kites have a sophisticated depower system – and it’s good to know how it works before heading out on the water.
2. Bad Habits This one is sneaky. When you learn on your own, you don’t know what you’re doing wrong. And after a break, bad habits return faster than good ones. An instructor sees the problem in 10 minutes – and saves you hours of frustration.
3. Efficiency In 3 hours with an instructor, you’ll progress more than in 3 days alone. That’s not a marketing claim – it’s simply a fact. Walkie-talkie communication means corrections come instantly, not after an hour on shore wondering “what was I doing wrong.”
Stories from Practice
I can’t speak for everyone, but here are typical situations we see:
Case 1: “I took a course but never mastered upwind” Most common. Someone completed a course somewhere in the world, rode a few meters, but upwind never came. A 6h refresh focused on edge technique and body position – and suddenly it works. They often say: “If I’d known this two years ago…”
Case 2: “I used to be good, but 3-year break” Surprisingly quick recovery. Motor memory works. A 3h refresh usually suffices – the first hour you’re adjusting, the second hour you’re riding, the third hour you’re working on what you want to improve.
Case 3: “A friend taught me” This is where a refresh is essential. Your friend taught you to ride, but probably not safety systems, right-of-way rules, and self-rescue. A 6h refresh is an investment in your safety and the safety of everyone else on the water.
How a Refresh Fits Into Your Holiday
Practical plan for a week-long trip:
- Day 1: Arrival, transfer, check in, kitepass, get to know the spot
- Day 2: Refresh (3h) – skill check and refresher
- Days 3–6: Independent kiting with rental
- Day 7: Last session, departure
Or with the 6h refresh:
- Day 1: Arrival
- Days 2–3: Refresh (6h spread across 2 days)
- Days 4–6: Independent riding
- Day 7: Departure
After the Refresh: Group Coaching and Kite Camps
Once the refresh gets your upwind and confidence back, you don’t need to stick with the 2 students / 1 kite format. As an advanced rider, you have your own kite, and the instructor can coach an entire group at once — per IKO rules, easily 4–8 advanced riders, each on their own kite.
Our kite camps work exactly like this: a group of people at a similar level, riding together, instructor giving tips on technique, transitions, jumps via walkie-talkie. It’s more social, more fun, and more affordable than private lessons. The ideal follow-up to a refresh — you get back in shape and immediately join a group.
An Investment That Pays Off
I know €175–€595 on top of holiday costs isn’t nothing. But look at it this way: without a refresh, you’ll spend the first 2–3 days trying to remember what you knew on your own. With a refresh, you’re riding from day two.
And most importantly – you won’t be afraid. Kitesurfing should be joy, not stress. A refresh restores your confidence on the water.
How to Book
Refresh courses are booked the same way as other courses – online via the booking system or write to us via contact. We recommend booking in advance, especially in season (March–June) when we’re full.
No question is a silly question. Write to us about where you left off with kiting and we’ll recommend what makes sense.
Planning a return to the water? Check out our courses and prices or book your slot right away.