Kitesurfing is an amazing sport. It’s also a sport where a piece of fabric the size of a small apartment pulls you by the waist with enough force to lift you five metres above the water. So yes — safety here isn’t a buzzword, it’s a necessity.
I don’t want to scare you. Kitesurfing is a safe sport when the rules are followed. Key words: when the rules are followed. Here are the most important ones.
Rule Number One: Learn with an Instructor
I’m putting this first because it’s the most important. You cannot learn kitesurfing from YouTube videos. I’ve seen it countless times — someone buys a kite, watches a few videos, goes to the beach and ends up in hospital. Or ends up with their kite tangled in power lines. Or injures someone else on the beach.
A professional instructor teaches you safety systems, water rules, and self-rescue before they even let you on the water with a board. These aren’t things you can “figure out.” You need to know them automatically, instinctively, because when you need them, there’s no time to think.
Safety Systems on the Kite
Every modern kite has at least two safety systems:
Quick release (chicken loop release) — You disconnect from the bar with a single motion. The kite is still attached to you via the safety leash, but it loses most of its pull. This is your primary safety feature and you must be able to activate it blindfolded, with one hand, in any situation.
Full disconnect (safety leash release) — The second level. You disconnect completely from the kite. The kite falls into the water and you’re free. Used in extreme situations — the kite is tangled, you’re in danger, you can’t control the kite.
During the course, you practise both systems multiple times before going on the water. It has to be automatic. There’s no time to think “how did this work again?” when the kite is dragging you toward an obstacle.
Right of Way on the Water
There are rules on the water, similar to traffic rules on the road. Not knowing them is like driving a car without knowing right of way at intersections — sooner or later, things go wrong.
A rider heading away from shore has right of way over a rider heading toward shore. The one heading to shore gives way.
A downwind rider has right of way — because their manoeuvring options are more limited. The upwind rider gives way because they have more room to react.
A slower rider has right of way over a faster one. The faster rider goes around.
When paths cross — kites up. Both riders raise their kites as high as possible so the lines don’t cross.
Right of way when launching — a rider who is already riding has priority over someone who is just launching. Don’t launch into another rider’s path.
These rules aren’t suggestions. They’re rules that protect you and everyone else. On our lagoon, the entire instructor team enforces them, and the division into three zones (teaching, independent riders, wingfoil/hydrofoil) minimises conflicts.
Self-Rescue
This is a skill you hope you’ll never use — but you must know it. Self-rescue means getting safely to shore when something isn’t working: the bar is broken, a line snapped, the wind died completely, or you’re simply tired and far from shore.
The basic procedure:
- Activate quick release — the kite loses its pull
- Wind up the lines — roll them up so they don’t tangle
- Use the kite as a sail — the kite lying on the water works as a small sail that slowly pulls you toward shore
- Or swim — with the kite as a flotation device
In El Gouna, self-rescue is “easier” thanks to shallow water — most of the time you simply stand up and walk. Plus we have a rescue boat on the lagoon all day that can pick you up within a minute. But knowing self-rescue is important for any spot in the world.
Checking Conditions
Before going on the water, check:
Wind — strength and direction. Not every day is suitable for riding. Too strong wind is dangerous for beginners; too light is just frustrating. Your instructor or the beach team will advise you on the right kite size.
Obstacles — boats, swimmers, other kiters, the downwind shore. Always know what’s around you.
Weather — storms and kitesurfing don’t complement each other well. Before a storm, the wind picks up unpredictably. If you see dark clouds, get off the water. We monitor the weather continuously and call everyone back to shore when danger is approaching.
Your condition — tired? Back hurting? Had a few too many beers last night? Better stay on the beach. A kite has no brake and a tired rider makes bad decisions.
Water Shoes
A small detail that can save your holiday. There are occasional shells and shell fragments on the lagoon bottom. Usually harmless, but stepping on a sharp shell can mean a cut on your foot and a few days without riding.
Lightweight neoprene boots or water shoes cost a few euros and save you potential trouble. We recommend them for everyone, not just beginners.
Why a Rescue Boat Makes a Difference
On our lagoon, a rescue boat with crew is on the water all day. This isn’t something you should take for granted — many spots around the world have no rescue boat.
A rescue boat means:
- If your kite crashes and you can’t relaunch, they come and help
- If you’re tired and far from shore, they bring you back
- If someone gets injured, they’re there within a minute
- If conditions change rapidly, they get people off the water
For a beginner, knowing that help is within reach is psychologically important. Less stress = better learning = fewer mistakes = greater safety. It’s a positive cycle.
Respect the Sport
Kitesurfing is a sport where nature shows you who’s boss. You can’t switch off the wind, you can’t stop a wave, and a 12-square-metre kite has power that most people can’t imagine.
But when you know the rules and follow them, it’s one of the safest adrenaline sports out there. In 20 years of operating our school, we haven’t had a single serious injury — and that’s not luck, it’s the result of a system, rules, and quality instructors.
Want to start safely? Check out our kite courses or read more about our spot and why it’s ideal for beginners.