Learning
Kitesurfing for beginners: what happens in your first lesson
A first kitesurfing lesson is mostly theory and kite flying on land, not riding. Here is the lesson step by step, what to bring and what to expect.
Beginner package
8-hour IKO beginner kitesurfing course in Marsa Alam
From your first kite lesson to your first rides on the board, with safety and confidence. The course aims to complete IKO Level 2 certification. All equipment is included.
- Duration
- 8 hours in total
- Lesson times
- Daily, 09:00-12:00 or 15:00-18:00
- Aim
- IKO Level 2 certification
- Lesson format
- Private (1 student) or semi-private (2 students)
- Equipment
- All included
- Price
- Private €595, semi-private €475
About the 8-hour IKO beginner kitesurfing course
Our 8-hour IKO beginner kitesurfing course in Marsa Alam is the full beginner course. It follows the IKO teaching standard and takes you through three lessons: kite control on the beach, body dragging in the water, and your first waterstart with the board.
The aim is to complete IKO Level 2 certification. Short on time, or just want to try the sport? Take a look at the 6-hour beginner course, which covers kite control and body dragging.
Your 8 hours in three lessons
Each lesson builds on the last, from the beach to the water to the board.
Kite control lesson on the beach
You start with a small trainer kite for about 1 hour. It teaches you kite control, theory and safety without the power of larger kites. Next you fly a small 4-line inflatable kite. You learn how to set it up and how the safety systems work, then how to fly it with control. You complete this step when you can show full control of the kite, the de-power system, one-handed flying and the safety systems.
Body drag lesson in the water
Now the kite goes into the water. You fly a bigger kite on longer lines, but there is no board yet. First you learn to enter and exit the water while flying the kite, then to body drag through the water. Your instructor stays right with you to help and keep you safe. You learn how to harness the power of the kite and how to relaunch it if it crashes into the water. The final step is one-handed upwind body dragging, so you can move around the water independently.
Waterstart lesson: your first rides on the board
Time to try the board for the first time. By now you have the kite control and confidence to enter the water, handle the kite with one hand, put the board on and take your first rides. If you fall off, you know how to body drag back to your board and restart. Your instructor is with you for the first attempts. Our goal is to get you riding safely and independently.
After the course: IKO Level 2 and what comes next
Once you complete the course, you are certified IKO Level 2 and ready for an upwind lesson or supervised equipment rental. You can see what Level 2 covers on our Level 2 – Intermediate page.
Most people progress this way, although some need more time to get up on the board.
Watch a lesson from the student's point of view
First-person footage of a kitesurfing lesson with an instructor in the lagoon at KiteMood Marsa Alam.
A kitesurfing lesson from the student's point of view
Private or semi-private lessons
Both formats include all the equipment you need and IKO certification.
Private lessons
Learn one-to-one, at your own pace and with all of your instructor's attention. Private lessons also work well if you want to learn more slowly or take shorter lessons of 1 or 2 hours. Booking alone? Choose a private lesson, because we cannot guarantee a place in a group lesson. Includes private instruction, personal equipment and IKO certification for 1 student.
Semi-private lessons
Made for couples or two friends who want to learn together. Your IKO instructor teaches you both at the same time, with an assistant on hand to help keep you safe. Both students need the same schedule, level and language. Includes the instructor, an assistant, a shared full set of equipment and IKO certification for 2 students per class.
8-hour IKO beginner course prices
Prices are for the total 8-hour course, with all equipment included.
Private lesson
€595total course
One student with your own instructor.
- 8 hours in total
- Private instruction
- Personal equipment
- IKO certification
Semi-private lesson
€475total course
Two students, one instructor and an assistant.
- 8 hours in total
- Instructor and assistant
- Shared full set of equipment included
- IKO certification
Lessons run daily, 09:00-12:00 or 15:00-18:00. Message us on WhatsApp or send an enquiry to choose your dates and time slot.
What's included in the 8-hour course
- Transfer between the school and the beach
- Kites, boards, harnesses, helmets, life vests, wetsuits and other gear during lessons
- Radio-assisted lessons: you are in touch with your instructor by radio at all times
- Lessons taught by IKO Level 2 instructors
- IKO Kiteboarder Card and level certification
- Low student-to-instructor ratio (maximum 2:1)
How the 8-hour course differs from the 6-hour course
The 8-hour course adds a waterstart lesson to kite control and body dragging, so you take your first rides on the board and work towards IKO Level 2.
| Course | 6-hour course | 8-hour course |
|---|---|---|
| Lessons | Kite control on the beach, then body dragging in the water | Kite control, body dragging, then a waterstart lesson with the board |
| Aim | Complete the body drag lesson and get ready for the board | Complete IKO Level 2 certification |
| The board | Fast learners may get to try it; most people need a third lesson | Your first rides, in the waterstart lesson |
| Total hours | 6 hours | 8 hours |
| Private lesson | €480 | €595 |
| Semi-private lesson | €360 | €475 |
Prices are for the total course.
Learn with an IKO-approved school
KiteMood is an IKO-approved school, and all our instructors are trained and certified by IKO. Level 2 is the intermediate stage of the IKO Kiteboarding Training Path. Browse all our kitesurfing courses to see how the stages fit together.
8-hour IKO beginner course: your questions
How long is the 8-hour IKO beginner kitesurfing course?
The course is 8 hours in total. Lessons run daily, 09:00-12:00 or 15:00-18:00.
Will I be IKO Level 2 certified after the course?
That is the aim of the course. Once you complete it, you are certified IKO Level 2. Most people progress this way, although some need more time to get up on the board.
When do I get on the board?
In the third lesson, the waterstart lesson. You put the board on and take your first rides. If you fall off, you know how to body drag back to your board and restart, and your instructor is with you for the first attempts.
What can I do after the course?
Once you are certified IKO Level 2, you are ready for an upwind lesson or supervised equipment rental.
How much does the 8-hour course cost?
The private course costs €595 in total. The semi-private course costs €475 in total. All equipment is included.
What is the difference between the 6-hour and 8-hour courses?
The 6-hour course covers kite control and body dragging, and gets you ready for the board. The 8-hour course adds the waterstart lesson, with your first rides on the board, and aims to complete IKO Level 2 certification. Read about the 6-hour beginner course.
Where your lessons take place
KiteMood is on the protected lagoon in Marsa Alam, on the Red Sea coast of Egypt. A transfer between the school and the beach is included.
WX78+MMJ, Marsa Alam Road, Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt+20 100 328 0081info@kitemood.comMessage us on WhatsAppOpen in Google MapsThe interactive map loads only when you ask for it, which keeps this page fast.
Guides for first-time kitesurfers
What your first lesson looks like and how long it usually takes to learn.
Learning
How long does it take to learn kitesurfing?
Most beginners need more than one lesson to stand up and ride. Here is a realistic timeline by IKO stage, what speeds learning up, and how to plan.
Ready to get up and riding?
Message us on WhatsApp or send an enquiry to choose your dates and time slot, and decide between private and semi-private lessons.