Kitesurfing looks spectacular, and that can make it seem out of reach. The good news is that, with the right instructor and the right spot, kitesurfing for beginners is far more accessible than most people think. You do not need to be particularly strong or a surfer already – you need patience, good teaching and steady wind over safe, shallow water. This guide explains how the learning process works, how long it usually takes and what it costs to learn to kitesurf in Egypt at a kitesurfing school in Hurghada.
Is kitesurfing for beginners hard to learn?
Kitesurfing has a steeper start than many water sports, because you are learning two skills at once: flying a powerful kite and riding a board. But once it clicks, progress is fast. Most of the power goes through a harness around your waist or hips, not through your arms, so it is a sport for a wide range of ages and body types. If you are reasonably fit, comfortable in the water and willing to listen to your instructor, you can learn.
What makes the biggest difference is where you learn. A wide, waist-deep lagoon with a sandy bottom and a steady, cross-onshore wind – like our spot in Hurghada – lets you stand up, reset and try again in seconds instead of swimming after your board in deep water.
How long does it take to learn to kitesurf?
Most beginners need around 10 to 12 hours of tuition, usually spread over three or four days, to reach their first water start and ride a short distance. Some people get there sooner, others need a few extra hours – and that is completely normal. A good instructor will not rush you through the essentials just to get you on a board; skipping steps simply leads to bad habits and more crashes later.
At Sultan Kite School the beginner pathway is split into clear stages:
- Introduction (3 hours) – wind window theory, a two-line trainer kite, setting up the equipment and safety systems, first flying with a four-line kite and a basic body drag.
- Level 1 (6 hours) – relaunching the kite from the water, more advanced flying, body dragging downwind and upwind, and body dragging with a board.
- Level 2 (9 hours) – getting on the board, practising water starts and riding a short distance.
- Level 3 (12 hours) – launching and landing an LEI kite, controlled stops and riding in both directions.
What you will learn in your first kitesurfing lessons
1. Wind theory and safety
Before the kite goes up, you will learn how the wind window works, where the kite pulls hardest, and how to read the wind direction and strength. You will also learn the safety systems on the bar and harness – how to depower the kite and release it completely if you need to. This is the most important part of any beginner course.
2. Flying the kite on the beach
Next comes kite control: steering smoothly, keeping the kite at the edge of the window, launching and landing with the help of an assistant. Many schools start with a small trainer kite so you can feel the pull without the risk.
3. Body dragging
In the water, you will let the kite pull you along without a board. Body dragging teaches you to control power, to move upwind to recover a lost board and to relaunch the kite from the water. It may not look glamorous, but it is the foundation of safe kitesurfing.
4. The water start
Finally, you put on the board, dive the kite through the power zone and stand up. Your first rides will be short, and you will fall – everyone does. In shallow water, though, a fall is just a reset.
The best conditions for learning
For beginners, the ideal set-up is:
- Steady wind of roughly 12 to 20 knots, without strong gusts.
- Cross-shore or cross-onshore wind, so you are never blown out to sea. Avoid offshore wind unless there is a rescue boat.
- Shallow, flat water with a sandy bottom and no rocks or coral.
- Plenty of space, with few obstacles and not too many other kites, so lines do not tangle.
Our lagoon between Hurghada and El Gouna ticks every box, which is why it is one of the most popular places for Red Sea kitesurfing. You can check today’s wind on our live Hurghada wind forecast before you book.
What equipment do beginners need?
During lessons, the school provides everything: kite, bar, board, harness, helmet and – at Sultan Kite School – wetsuit boots and insurance for the duration of the training. Waterproof radio helmets are also available on request, so you can hear your instructor clearly once you are riding.
After the course, most riders rent equipment for a while before buying. When you do buy, your first set-up will usually be one or two kites suited to your local wind, a forgiving twin-tip board, a bar, a comfortable harness and a wetsuit if the water is cool. Good second-hand gear holds its value well and is a sensible way to start.
How much does it cost to learn to kitesurf in Egypt?
Egypt is one of the best-value places in the world to learn. At our school a single one-hour lesson costs $50, the three-hour Introduction is $130, Level 1 (6 hours) is $220, Level 2 (9 hours) is $310 and Level 3 (12 hours) is $400. Every course includes the instructor, equipment, harness, boots, helmet, insurance during the training and full use of the kite centre. Once you have completed Level 3, you can also hire equipment at discounted student rates.
Tips for your first kitesurfing holiday
- Book lessons on consecutive days – you will remember more and progress faster.
- Bring sun protection, sunglasses with a strap and a lycra top; in winter (December to February) a long 5 mm wetsuit is recommended.
- Listen to your body. Kitesurfing is tiring at first, and you learn more when you are fresh.
- Do not compare yourself with others. Everyone has a different learning curve.
Ready to start?
Kitesurfing for beginners is all about learning in the right place, with the right people. If you would like to learn to kitesurf in Egypt on a safe, shallow lagoon with patient instructors, take a look at our kite lessons Hurghada or get in touch to plan your course. Not sure where to learn? Read how to choose a kite school in Hurghada.
The International Kiteboarding Organization also publishes useful information on standard learning levels.
