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.
IKO-approved kitesurfing school
Kitesurfing courses in Marsa Alam
Choose the IKO course that fits your level, goal and budget, from a first lesson to advanced riding. You learn on a protected lagoon on the Red Sea in Egypt, with instructors trained and certified by IKO.
From your first trainer kite to advanced riding
KiteMood runs kitesurfing courses in Marsa Alam that take you from your very first trainer kite to riding upwind and landing a basic jump. All our courses follow the IKO Kiteboarding Training Path and take place on a protected lagoon on the Red Sea in Egypt.
Pick a level course, choose a ready-made package, or use the goal guide below to find what suits you. To book, message us through the contact page, on WhatsApp or by email.
Our courses at a glance
- School
- IKO-approved kitesurfing school
- We teach
- Discovery, Intermediate and Independent
- Certificate
- IKO Kiteboarder Card, once you complete a level
- Where
- Protected lagoon, Marsa Alam, Red Sea
- Booking
- Contact page, WhatsApp or email
Which course is right for you?
Tell us where you are now and where you want to go. Here is the course we suggest for each goal.
I want to take my first lessons
Start with Level 1 – Discovery: a 75-minute first lesson of theory and first fly for €85, as a private or group lesson. If you would rather book a longer plan, the 6-hour beginner course covers kite control and body dragging, and the 8-hour beginner course adds your first waterstart and aims to complete IKO Level 2 certification.
I want to get up on the board and progress
Level 2 – Intermediate is where you learn to body drag, water start in both directions and ride a short distance. Once you can water start and ride, our Level 3 – Advanced lessons teach you to control your speed, ride upwind, change direction without stopping and land a basic jump. Level 2 lessons cost €70 to €105 each, and advanced lessons are €80 per hour.
I want to learn tricks
Book an Advanced Training Session: 2 hours, one-to-one with an IKO instructor, for €170 per person. You can start to jump, make power turns, ride switch or try back rolls. Read more about advanced kitesurfing tricks. Still learning to jump? Our Level 3 – Advanced lessons take you as far as landing a basic jump.
Our IKO kitesurfing courses in Marsa Alam
Three level courses take you from your first trainer kite to confident, independent riding. Choose the one that matches where you are now.
IKO 1A to 1E
Level 1 – Discovery
Your first lessons: wind and safety, the trainer kite, then a de-power kite hooked into the harness. The first lesson is 75 minutes of theory and first fly.
€85 for the first lesson, private or group
See Level 1 →
IKO 2F to 2I
Level 2 – Intermediate
Body drag, waterstart and your first rides. You recover your board, water start in both directions and come to a controlled stop.
€70 to €105 per lesson
See Level 2 →
IKO 3J to 3N
Level 3 – Advanced
Ride with more control: edging, riding upwind, turning without stopping, self-rescue and a basic jump.
€80 per hour (€70 per hour after the 5th hour)
See Level 3 →Courses that follow the IKO path
KiteMood is an IKO-approved school, and all our instructors are trained and certified by IKO. Read more about KiteMood.
We teach with the IKO Kiteboarding Training Path, which you can see stage by stage below.
The IKO Kiteboarding Training Path
The recreational category of the path has four groups: Discovery, Intermediate, Independent and Master. KiteMood gives lessons for the first three. Here is what each one covers.
Discovery: Level 1 (1A to 1E)
You learn which wind and conditions are safe, how to recognise the hazards on a spot and how to use the safety systems. You fly a trainer kite, then set up and fly a 4/5-line de-power kite hooked into the harness, and finish by using the quick release and landing the kite by yourself. See Level 1 – Discovery.
Intermediate: Level 2 (2F to 2I)
You take the kite into the water. You learn to body drag downwind and upwind, recover your board, water start in both directions and ride a short distance to a controlled stop. You also learn to understand the weather forecast and the effects of tide and wind, and you learn the right-of-way rules. See Level 2 – Intermediate.
Independent: Level 3 – Advanced (3J to 3N)
You become a more independent rider. You control your speed by edging, ride consistently in all directions including upwind, ride among other water users while respecting the right-of-way rules, change direction without stopping, and carry out a self-rescue and a self-launch. You finish by making a toe side turn and landing a basic jump. See Level 3 – Advanced.
Master (not taught at KiteMood)
The fourth group of the recreational category. KiteMood does not give lessons for this group.
Beginner and coaching packages
Prefer a ready-made plan? Private means one student; semi-private means two students learning together with an instructor and an assistant. Choose one of these packages, or compare them all on our packages page.
Beginner package
6-hour beginner course
A short, focused way to try the sport: kite control on the beach, then body dragging in the water.
Private €480, semi-private €360
See the 6-hour course →
Beginner package
8-hour beginner course
From your first kite lesson to your first rides on the board. Aims to complete IKO Level 2 certification.
Private €595, semi-private €475
See the 8-hour course →
Private, 4 hours
Refresher course
Already up and riding? Refresh your safety, kite control and the waterstart before you rent equipment.
From €360
See the refresher →
One-to-one
Advanced kitesurfing tricks
A 2-hour one-to-one session to start jumping, make power turns, ride switch or try back rolls.
€170 per person
See the tricks session →Kitesurfing course prices in Marsa Alam
A quick overview of what our kitesurfing courses cost. Each course page has the full details.
| Course | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 – Discovery: 1st lesson | Private or group, 75 minutes, theory and first fly | €85 |
| Level 2 – Intermediate: 2nd lesson, body drag | Private, 75 minutes | €105 |
| Level 2 – Intermediate: 3rd lesson, waterstart | Private, 75 minutes | €105 |
| Level 2 – Intermediate: 4th lesson, self-rescue | Private or group, 75 minutes | €75 |
| Level 2 – Intermediate: lesson after the course | 60 minutes | €70 |
| Level 3 – Advanced | Charged by the hour | €80 per hour (€70 per hour after the 5th hour) |
| 6-hour beginner course | 6 hours, private or semi-private | Private €480, semi-private €360 |
| 8-hour beginner course | 8 hours, private or semi-private | Private €595, semi-private €475 |
| Refresher course | Private, 4 hours | From €360 |
| Advanced tricks session | 2 hours, one-to-one | €170 per person |
Equipment is included during lessons. If a course does not fit your needs, contact us and ask for a personalised offer. Extras such as a tandem, a stand-up paddle board and a glass kayak are listed on our services page.
What is included in our lessons and courses
Each course page lists exactly what that course includes. In general, your lessons include:
- 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, once you complete the level
- Low student-to-instructor ratio
Ask for a course built around you
Whatever your goal, we are here to guide you and build a course tailored to your level, budget and time constraints.
If what you see here does not fit your needs, contact us and ask for a personalised offer. We will be happy to help you.
On the lagoon at KiteMood
Kitesurfing courses in Marsa Alam: your questions answered
Which IKO levels does KiteMood teach?
KiteMood gives lessons for the first three groups of the IKO Kiteboarding Training Path: Discovery, Intermediate and Independent. The fourth group, Master, is not part of our courses. Read about Level 1 – Discovery, Level 2 – Intermediate and our advanced lessons, Level 3 – Advanced.
I have never kitesurfed. Where do I start?
Start with Level 1 – Discovery, the first stage of the IKO path: a 75-minute first lesson of theory and first fly for €85, private or group. For a longer plan, the 6-hour beginner course covers kite control and body dragging, and the 8-hour beginner course aims to complete IKO Level 2 certification.
How much do kitesurfing courses in Marsa Alam cost?
The Level 1 first lesson costs €85. Level 2 lessons cost €70 to €105 each. Advanced lessons are €80 per hour, and €70 per hour after the 5th hour. The 6-hour beginner course costs €480 private or €360 semi-private, and the 8-hour beginner course costs €595 private or €475 semi-private. A refresher course starts from €360, and an Advanced Training Session is €170 per person. The price table above lists every course.
What is included, and do I get an IKO certificate?
During your lessons, kites, boards, harnesses, helmets, life vests, wetsuits and other gear are included, together with the transfer between the school and the beach. Our courses follow the IKO certification standards and include the IKO Kiteboarder Card and level certification once you have completed the level. All our instructors are trained and certified by IKO, and we follow IKO guidelines in all our kite classes.
Can you build a course around my level, budget and time?
Yes. Tell us your level, budget and available time and we will suggest a plan. If what you see on this page does not fit your needs, contact us and ask for a personalised offer.
How do I book a course?
Message us through the contact page, on WhatsApp or by email, and tell us which course and dates suit you. We will confirm the time.
Where our courses 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 with your lessons. Before you come, check the wind forecast.
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 to read before you book
Not sure which course suits you? These guides explain what to expect and how long learning takes.
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.
Learning
IKO kitesurfing levels explained: what each one means
What the five IKO kitesurfing levels mean, what you can do at each one, and how your certification helps when you rent equipment or change schools.
Ready to start your kitesurfing course?
Message us on WhatsApp, by email or through the contact page. Tell us your level, your goal and when you would like to ride, and we will help you choose the right course.