The Kitesurfing
The Kitesurfing
The windiest place on the Red Sea, Zaafarana is the place to head if your holiday is about just one thing – time on the water.
The kitesurfing on offer here is fantastic, with the remote location meaning there are no buildings or development to get in the way of the wind, making it some of the smoothest wind you’ll ever experience anywhere. The wind stats also are simply incredible during the summer months, with an average of 85% of days with wind blowing strong enough to get out on the water – Zaafarana offers the best chance of maximising your water time.
Zaafarana is a remote place, so it’s always worth bring a book or two in the case of you being too tired to get out the water for one more session.
The set up in Zaafarana is pretty simple – A short walk from your room takes you down to the hotel’s private beach and our partner centre. The wind blows cross on shore from the left, as it would do in El Gouna or Hurghada, but the kite spot is protected by a sand spit that extends out into the sea for about 1000 feet, providing beautiful flat water to play in, while further out the wind driven chop in the Gulf of Suez provides a wealth of ramps to pop off for added jump altitude.
But that’s not all! As the tide comes in, the sand spit opens up to reveal a shallow lagoon that is simply freestyle perfection. Enter the lagoon by sailing through the small inlet, play around until your heart’s content, and jump back over the sand spit to exit in style!
A typical day starts with a sea breeze that quickly accelerates as the day gets hotter; the wind is normally from the north/ north east, so side-shore to cross on from the left, and on average is 18 to 22 knots in strength.
If your holiday is about kiting, and only kiting, then Zaafarana is a really tough spot to beat.
 | |
|---|---|
| Beginners | 7/10 |
| Intermediates | 8/10 |
| Advanced | 8/10 |
| Waveriders | 4/10 |
 | |
|---|---|
| Best months: | Mar - Oct |
| Flat water: | Yes |
| Choppy water: | Yes |
| Shallow water: | Yes |
| Waves: | No |
| Tidal: | Some |
Centre, Courses & Kit
The Centre
The kitesurfing centre in Zaafarana is a 5 minute walk through the grounds of the hotel and an F-one test centre.
Ibi has a friendly team of English-speaking instructors to teach you everything from the absolute fundamentals in the beginner course, to water-starting and power control techniques for the intermediates, not forgetting coaching for advanced riders.
The Courses
Below is an outline of the course structure at this centre. We recommend that you pre-book your course to ensure that you have a place and that you can start immediately.
For details of IKO levels, click here
Beginner Courses
This 10 hour ‘complete beginner’ group course, of no more than 4 students per instructor, is structured to VDWS standards and will teach you the flying skills needed to keep you safe and in control of your kite, and then focus on board techniques for water-starting. All kites, boards and safety equipment are provided for the duration of the course.
- 10 hour beginner course – £325
Intermediate Courses
This is for those that are now looking to water-start. The course is known locally as the ”4 hour advanced course included 1 week kite all” (excuse the strange grammar) . This means that you have 4 hours of group tuition and then kit rental for the rest of the week (subject to your instructor’s discretion). Private lessons are also available, so if you have your own kit and are looking for a refresher kitesurfing programme, we can arrange that for you.
- 4 hour advanced course – £120
- 4 hour advanced course included 1 week kite all – £230
- Private lessons excluding kit – £35 per hour
Freerider Options
The centre has private kite and board storage, beach assistants to launch and land your kite, a safety boat for rescue and 2010 F 0ne kites and boards for rental.
- 1 week kite storage, beach assistance and rescue – £50
NB. The prices stated above are based on the currency rate applicable at the time of writing and may be subject to fluctuation.
The Kit
2010 F 0ne kites and boards
- One week F One Kite and board rental – £210
For prices & availability please call 01273 224069 or 
