Spotmap El Gouna: The Best Kitesurfing Spot on the Red Sea at the Kiteboarding Club

Spotmap

KBC El Gouna has a long, private beach with fine sand. With a width of over 800 meters, you’ll have plenty of space here to launch, land, and store your kite and wing. The standing depth lagoon, which spans several square kilometers, lies directly adjacent to our private beach, making entry into the water particularly easy and safe.
The first 50 meters of the spot are reserved for launching and landing kites. You should not kite in this area; instead, please be considerate of all kitesurfers taking off and landing.

The open kite spot for experienced kitesurfers is located directly in front of the center. The area north of it is reserved for lessons.

Wingfoilers and experienced kitesurfers use the area outside the reef, where the water is deep enough for foiling. The rescue boat is on duty here to provide assistance.

Safety in kitesurfing and wingfoiling

KBC provides its services with the utmost care. However, water sports inherently involve risks that cannot be completely eliminated, even with strict adherence to all safety standards. Please read the following rules carefully—they protect you and everyone else on the water.

Safe Takeoffs and Landings

Professional Safety Instructions for Kitesurfing Launches at the Water's Edge

Takeoff and landing are the most critical moments in kitesurfing—this is when most accidents happen. That’s why we have a clear rule that everyone follows.
 

Important Rule for Side-Shore Conditions

✔︎ The beach assistant stands at the water’s edge—regardless of tides or water level.
✔︎ The kitesurfer stands in the water, at a distance of one full line length (at least 20 meters). 
✔︎ The full-line-length distance ensures that no one is struck by the kite, lines, or bar if the kite reacts unpredictably. 
✔︎ Eye contact and a clear hand signal: Takeoff and landing should not occur until both parties have confirmed.
✔︎ When in doubt: it’s better to abort once more than to take a risk.

Kitesurfing Safety Rules

Kitesurf Vorfahrtsregeln kiteboarding right-of-way rules diagram showing kitesurfers on beach with safety zones

360° view while launching and landing

Before launching and landing your kite, check that there are no hazards in sight and that you are not endangering anyone.

Kitesurf right-of-way rules illustration - two kitesurfers on beach showing wind priority in kiteboarding

Caution in the take-off and landing zone

Kite surfing in the take-off and landing zone is not permitted. Starting and landing kiters have right of way.

Kitesurf right-of-way rules diagram showing >45° upwind and <30° downwind angles for safe kiteboarding on water

Windward steers up - leeward steers down

When two kitesurfers approach each other, the rider riding higher upwind steers his kite up (>45°). The kiter downwind steers his kite down (<30°).

Kitesurf Vorfahrtsregeln right-of-way rules diagram showing two kitesurfers with red and blue kites - kiteboarding safety

The windward rider gives way to the leeward rider.

The kiteboarder who is riding in the slipstream of the other kiteboarder, i.e. downwind, has the right of way and must keep his/her course, provided he/she sees the kiteboarder upwind at all.

Kitesurfer right-of-way rules - Safety in kiteboarding on water

A port tack rider gives way to a starboard tack rider.

If two kitesurfers have their kites on different sides (seen in the direction of travel) and are on a collision course, the kitesurfer who gets wind from the left side (the port side) must give way. The other kitesurfer is obliged to stay on course.

Kitesurf right-of-way rules: Kitesurfers with red and blue kites demonstrating kiteboarding priority rules on beach

Anyone overtaking keeps out of way to anyone being overtaken

If two kitesurfers are heading in the same direction and the faster kitesurfer behind wants to overtake, he must keep out if way of the slower kitesurfer. If the faster kitesurfer overtakes upwind, he must fly the kite higher, if he overtakes downwind, the kite must come down.

Kitesurf Vorfahrtsregeln right-of-way rules diagram showing kitesurfers with red and blue kites on beach, water sports safety

Show consideration

A rider laying in the water and swimming to a lost board or relaunching a kite from the water has the right of way.

Kitesurf right-of-way rules diagram showing 360° safety zone with 50m minimum distance for kiteboarding water sports

Keeping your distance during manoeuvres

Kiters planning a trick or a turn must keep a distance of at least 50 m from other kiters.

International priority rules

When kitesurfing, in addition to the rules developed specifically for kitesurfing (e.g., by the IKO and VDWS), the International Rules of the Road always apply on any body of water. The International Rules of the Road also apply on German inland waters:

✔︎ Commercial vessels always have the right of way.

✔︎ After commercial vessels come sailing craft, which have the right of way over recreational boats (motorboats or sailboats powered by a motor); these, in turn, have the right of way over recreational equipment. In this case, kitesurfers are considered sailing craft.

✔︎ Within the group of sailing craft, kitesurfers must give way to sailboats, as sailboats are slower and cannot maneuver nearly as quickly as a kitesurfer.

✔︎ Muscle power takes precedence over sail power: swimmers, surfers, bodyboarders, SUP paddlers, canoeists, etc., always have the right of way.

On the German coast, kitesurfers are considered “sports equipment” and are therefore at the top of the list when it comes to the duty to yield.
So on the German coast, you must yield to everyone.

Rules on the Water

  • It is strictly prohibited to remain on land while kiting.
  • Follow the general hand signals used for communication on the water.
  • Follow the international right-of-way rules for water sports.
  • Always maintain a minimum distance of 50 meters from other kiters—especially beginners.
  • Jumping while kiting within 50 meters of the beach is prohibited.
  • Kitesurfing and wingfoiling are permitted only within the safety zone (a 600-meter radius around the station).
  • The rescue boat operates exclusively in deep water behind the reef, within a 600-meter radius around the station. The water inside the lagoon is too shallow for the boat.
  • In the event of dangerous weather or wind conditions, official warning signals, or instructions from the center team, you must stop the activity immediately and return to shore.
  • Accidents or injuries must be reported to the center immediately; an accident report must be completed.

Health and Personal Responsibility

Participation in courses, rental of equipment, and use of the facility is at your own risk. Each participant and renter agrees to:

✔︎ strictly follow the safety instructions given by staff

✔︎ to use the equipment responsibly

✔︎ not to endanger themselves or others

By participating, you confirm that you are not aware of any medical conditions that could make participation dangerous. Please immediately inform KBC staff of any health risks, specific medical conditions, or limitations—as well as any injury or discomfort during the activity.

Participation under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or performance-altering medications is not permitted.

Minors
: Minors may only participate with the consent and signature of a legal guardian.