The Enterprise guide to surfing + kitesurfing in Egypt: Water sports in Egypt have proliferated over the past few years, as the temperatures and conditions along both the Red Sea and Mediterranean coast make for perfect grounds for a myriad of sports, from wakeboarding to kitesurfing, and even more recently, surfing. Kitesurfing in particular has exploded in popularity, with tens of competitions taking place on an annual basis and training centers popping up across the countries’ coasts. But for a small, budding population in the north coast, using a surfboard and nothing other than the force of the waves has also grown in its appeal.

Whether you’re in the north coast for the summer, or choose to spend the hot summer days on the Red Sea , there’s plenty to keep you busy — so here’s everything you need to know on how to get started with surfing and kitesurfing in Egypt.

FOR ASPIRING KITESURFERS-

Over the past decade, kitesurfing has exploded in popularity in Egypt. The calm and shallow waters present along much of the Red Sea coastline, as well as consistently strong wind through most of the year, have made the country a hotspot for kitesurfing enthusiasts around the world and given birth to a burgeoning local scene.

International competitions also helped put Egypt on the map as a global kitesurfing destination. Back in 2016, we saw one of the biggest kiteboarding competitions make its way to El Gouna, with 65 competitors from 26 countries battling it out at the World Kiteboarding Championship. This year will see local contests King of the Lagoon take place in Ras Sudr in September and Red Bull’s Wings of Sinai in October in Dahab, according to a Red Bull representative.

What is kitesurfing, exactly? Kitesurfing isn’t so different from sailing, where you utilize wind power to propel yourself or a vessel forwards. With kitesurfing, you’re using a similar mechanism, but instead of a sail, you have a kite suspended 20 meters in the air and in place of a hull is a thin fiberglass or carbon fiber board. Under sufficient wind conditions, your kite traps air and pulls you forward from a harness attached to your waist. Fixing your body at the right position relative to your kite and board allows you to use that momentum to glide over the water without sinking.

What to expect from a beginner course: Beginner kitesurfing courses typically run between 8-12 hours, often broken into several sessions over the course of a few days, depending on weather conditions. A typical course will teach you how to maneuver a kite, how to balance on your board and how to safely navigate in the water. Most centers also offer additional coaching options in case you need them.

When should you do it? As a general rule of thumb, the best time to kitesurf in Egypt is between April and October, when the wind is strongest and water temperatures are the highest. Other factors like tide schedules will also affect your experience, especially in places where the water is already shallow.

WHERE TO LEARN- You can kitesurf pretty much anywhere in the Red Sea but conditions at some locations make it far more pleasant and easier to do so. Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh, Ras Sudr and El Gouna are among the most popular locations to kite, but you’ll find kiters and kitesurfing centers to teach you the ropes all along our coastal areas. Some of the best centers are affiliated with international kitesurfing bodies like International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) or VDWS, but the affiliation is not required for them to rent gear or teach lessons. Don’t be surprised if you see prices listed in foreign currency; most centers will charge you the EGP equivalent on the day you settle up for your course. Below are some of the best locations, as recommended by avid Egyptian kitesurfers.

Less than two hours away from Cairo is IKO-affiliated Fins Kitesurfing Center in Ain Sokhna . Located on the Sokhna-Zaafarana road, three year old Fins boasts one of the most luxurious facilities on the Red Sea. Eight hour group courses (involving 2-4 people) will cost about EGP 8.7k per person.

Another convenient excursion is Ras Sudr’s Soul, which is by and large one of the most frequented centers on our list. That's because it's relatively close to Cairo and a great place to sharpen your skills without sacrificing your creature comforts. Parties are also common on the weekends, so be prepared to socialize. Eight hour beginner courses at Soul will run you EGP 8.7k.

Heading south? Check out Kite Village Hamata and Wadi Lahami Kitesurfing Center in Marsa Alam to learn to kite among the mangroves at some of the most remote natural landscapes in Egypt. Both centers’ 12 hour-long beginner courses will run you about EUR 500. Kite Village’s courses are led by VDWS-certified instructors.

You can find more luxurious arrangements in El Gouna: Makani Beach Club in Gouna has one of the most lively and upbeat atmospheres compared to other centers in the Red Sea governorate. Beginner group courses at Makani — which require about 2-4 people to complete — will run you EUR 520 per person for 12 hours of instruction. A more laid back option is Kitepower, which blasts music at a slightly lower volume. Group beginner courses at Kitepower will cost you some EUR 540 per person. You also have the option of taking an additional exam to become a VDWS-certified rider at an additional cost of EUR 40.

7 BFT Kite house in Soma Bay is one of the most professional operations you can find: 7 BFT Kite house is known for its rigor and slightly deeper training grounds. Group beginners courses, which include four hours of daily instruction spread out over four days plus two days of equipment rental, will cost some EUR 750. All of BFT’s courses follow VDWS guidelines and offer the option of completing further testing to become VDWS or IKO certified through their facility for an additional EUR 60.

Kitesurfing in Dahab is for catching big airs in the most laid back environment: Head out to Abo Aid Surf camp at Blue Lagoon for a no-distractions kitesurfing experience in one of the most idyllic locations in the country. Blue Lagoon’s consistent year round winds and crystal clear lagoon make it less likely you will encounter dry spells while completing your course. But for that same reason it's also one of the most popular stomping grounds for many of the country’s most advanced kitesurfers, making it a challenging spot to maneuver if you’re just starting out.

If you’re planning on committing and buying your own gear ,check out local retailers Katana Wave and Holix Watersports. New kites range between EGP 16-80k, depending on the size and model. Newer and larger models are typically the most expensive but the brand (and the technology used to construct their kites) also factors into the final price. Boards run from EGP 17-50k and harnesses cost about EGP 6-18k.

If you’ve caught the bug and want to splurge on an adventure try a liveaboard kite safari. A handful of operators like the Wind Seekers and Red Sea Explorers organize week-long kitesurfing safaris at sea, where you get to sail between islands and hard-to-reach kitesurfing spots in the Red Sea.

OVER IN THE NORTH COAST-

While surfing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of water sports in Egypt , last summer, Egypt became the 17th African country to join the ISA. Long before then, the Egyptian surfing community had been growing since the late 2000’s, with most coming from along the North Coast (Alexandria and Agami specifically), Egypt’s sole surfing training center and ISA member Surf Camp founder Omar El Sobky told us. The most popular surfing spots in the country are along the North Coast, as it provides sandy beaches and consistent swells (Point Break-speak for a long waves that take a while to dissipate) that attract surfers of all levels during the summer, and higher, more intense waves for more advanced swimmers during the winter according to El Sobky.

Surf Camp’s classes are available during the summer at Hacienda Red and Hacienda White , and you can book your class by DMing their Instagram account two days in advance. A beginner course consists of four hour-long classes, according to El Sobky. The first sessions will familiarize you with the terminology, surfing etiquette, paddle techniques, pop-up stances, and turning practice, before moving you to the lagoon for practice sessions. The second session will see you hit the water, learn safe sea entry, advance your paddling techniques, practice your pop-ups, and learn about water safety, while the third will familiarize you with board types, wave formations and balance skills, El Sobky said.

Your last introductory session lets you practice these skills independently , and you can have as many practice sessions as you like with your instructors once you’ve completed the course.

THE PRICE TAG- The full beginner course costs EGP 4.2k to complete, while the practice sessions cost EGP 500 per session for adults, and EGP 600 for kids. The camp does not currently accept card payments, so make sure you have money on you.

SURFING EQUIPMENT- When selecting a surfboard, it's important to consider weight limits, as different boards are designed to accommodate specific weight ranges (ranging from 40kg to 100kg). In addition to a suitable board, surfers also need to invest in a wetsuit, board wax, a board leash, and board fins. You can find this equipment at Decathlon and Holix.

THE PRICE TAG- Surfboards, which are available in various shapes and sizes, can range in price, with an average cost of around EGP 11k.

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