FAQ's

Wind:

Q: How will the wind be during my vacation?
A: Please have a look at our [Wind and Weather] page, where we offer you the wind statistics of the last years. Furthermore you can check www.windguru.cz and www.windfinder.com to get informations about the current conditions.

Windsurf-rentals:

Q: May I change my fixed board or sail depending on the wind conditions?
A: In addition to the fixed board, you can also use all other free boards of the same category (freeride or high-tech), depending on the wind conditions. As a HIGHTECH customer, you can of course choose from both categories. Our sails are freely accessible to all our guests, i.e. you don’t get a fixed sail, but can choose freely at your own discretion without any problems.

Q: Using rental equipment in pairs – is that possible?
A: Partnerpool is our solution. Here you get the opportunity to share a equipment rental with 2 users. There can only be one on the water at a time. Ideal for young families when one part has to care for children.

F: What is included in the windsurf rental price?
A: Rig, board and harness lines.

F: Is insurance included in the rental price?
A: We do not offer our own insurance for windsurfing and kitesurfing equipment! We recommend taking out the VDWS SafetyTool
– > http://www.safetytool.de/VS11816.

Windsurfing in general:

Q: What else should I bring for surfing?
A: Harness: if you have one, bring it with you, otherwise we rent out hip and seat harnesses for a fee.
Wetsuit (recommended): from April – October: Shorty or Lycra and shorts; from November – March: Long John. We rent out shorties for a fee.
Shoes: We recommend that you bring your own shoes to protect yourself from shell fragments or pieces of coral. We also rent out surf shoes for a small fee. However, many windsurfers also ride without shoes at our spot!
SPECIAL SIZES – please note that we only provide standard sizes in the rental shop (shoes up to size 47, men’s surf suits up to size 54), for other sizes we recommend that you bring your own from home, as there are no shopping facilities in the destination area.
We also recommend sun protection and sunglasses!

Q: What is beach-use and how is the procedure?
A: In order to keep our spot in Marsa Alam and El Gouna alive, there is a so-called beach-use fee for every kiter, wing- or windsurfer!
This is a so-called surf pass or kite pass (already included in the price for rental, school and camp customers).

Kitesurf-rentals:

F: Do I need a kite license to rent equipment?
A: Yes, we only rent out kite equipment on presentation of a VDWS or IKO kite license.
El Gouna: at least level 3, Hightech equipment level 5.
Marsa Alam – Kite lagoon: at least level 3, high-tech material level 5.
Marsa Alam – Spot directly at the center: at least level 5.

Q: What can I do if I don’t have a license?
A: You can book a supervision on-site. In the supervision you will demonstrate your skills to our instructor so that he can confirm your level. Of course, you can also acquire your VDWS license from us.

Q: Using rental equipment in pairs – is that possible?
A: Partnerpool is our solution. Here you get the opportunity to share a equipment rental with 2 users. There can only be one on the water at a time. Ideal for young families when one part has to care for children.

F: What is included in the Kitesurf Rental price?
A: Kite, board, bar and leach.

Q: Is insurance included in the rental price?
A: We do not offer our own insurance for windsurfing and kitesurfing equipment! We recommend taking out the VDWS SafetyTool
-> www.safetytool.de/VS11816.

Kitesurfing in general:

Q: What kite size should I bring for the wind conditions?
A: You’ll probably need size 12 and 14 the most – if you have other sizes, it’s a good idea to take them too, then you can be sure that you’ll be able to get out on the water no matter what the wind does.

Q: Do I need shoes for kitsurfing?
A: We recommend that our kiters wear shoes, but many kiters at our spot also ride without shoes. We also rent out surf shoes for a small fee.

Q: What else should I bring with me for kiting?
A: Harness: if you have one, bring it with you, otherwise we rent out hip and seat harnesses for a fee.
Wetsuit (recommended): from April – October: Shorty or Lycra and shorts; from November – March: Long John. We rent out shorties for a fee.
We also recommend sun protection and sunglasses!

Q: What is beach-use and how is the procedure?
A: In order to keep our spot in Marsa Alam and El Gouna alive, there is a so-called beach-use fee for every kiter, wing- or windsurfer!
This is a so-called surf pass or kite pass (already included in the price for rental, school and camp customers). 

Surfpass/Kitepass – Beach-use fee / Beach use / Beach service:

Q: Surfpass / Kitepass – What is that?
A: In order to keep the spots in Marsa Alam and El Gouna clean and well-maintained, a so-called surf or kite pass is required for every kiter or windsurfer!
We have renovated and redesigned these facilities with great dedication, are constantly investing in licenses from the Ministry of Tourism and the Coast Guard and offer additional safety services in order to be able to offer water sports without any worries. These services can only be maintained if every water sports enthusiast plays their part. For example, we maintain a costly lifeboat that is only used in emergencies. However, it incurs procurement costs, service costs and ongoing license fees. Should you ever need it, you will certainly be more than happy to have it at your disposal. We also provide well-trained service staff.
Water and modern sanitary facilities are available for the use of all our surfing guests. In our opinion, the most fair approach is to include all water sports enthusiasts present with this surf/kite pass.
Kite pass or surf pass: 1 day 15,- € / person
The beach-use fee is already included in the price for renters, students and storage customers.  

Check in:

Q: What do I need to bring with me?
A: Please bring your booking confirmation, kite license and 50,- € deposit (general deposit: ideally in cash). Your deposit will of course be returned to you when you check out if all outstanding items have been settled.

Courses:

Q: How many participants are in the groups?
A: Maximum group size is 4 people

Q: What happens if no group comes together?
A: The course will of course still take place. After you have private lessons, the course time is reduced by 30% as the knowledge is imparted more quickly.

Q: When do I book a beginners’ course?
A: A beginners’ course is not just for complete beginners. You’ve done a course before, but didn’t get that far, or it’s been a long time… Then we recommend that you return to the beginners’ course and refresh your old knowledge/skills so that you can progress with purpose.
(You can also start with ABC 2, for example)

Q: When should I book a refresher course?
A: If you can already kite but the finishing touches are still missing … e.g. practicing jibes, holding/running height or the transition to the first jumps. 

General questions:

Q: I am in Marsa Alam but not at the Three Corners Equinox Hotel – can I still get to the station?
A: Of course you can! You would just have to organize the shuttle to us.
(Via the limousine service at your hotel – there are no ordinary cabs). Unfortunately there is also a walk-in fee. We have to pass on this 3,- € per person per day to the hotel.

Q: How far is El Gouna from the center of Hurghada?
A: It is about 30 minutes by car

Q: Are there SUP’s for rent?
A: Of course! 30 minutes for 5 € per person

Q: What is MULTISPORT?
A: The rental of FREERIDE windsurfing equipment and FREERIDE kitesurfing equipment in one package!

Q: Do you serve food/drinks at the center?
A: In Marsa Alam we offer soft drinks, Nespresso coffee and Stella at the Aloha Bar.
In El Gouna we are well catered for by the bar and restaurant offer of
Elements Watersports.

Q: Is there a compressor on site?
A: In Marsa Alam we have a compressor directly at the center. There are hand pumps in our kite lagoon.
In El Gouna we have a compressor at the center.

Q: Marsa Alam: How far away is the lagoon and how do I get there?
A: About 2 km south of our station. We offer a shuttle service for a small fee. This runs according to demand. The flat rate is valid for the whole day. 

Cancellation / failure / non-appearance of the service:

(In general there is no refund of costs)

Q: I have booked my service in advance and cannot start the trip, what now?
A: We will be happy to issue you with a voucher for the booked service, which you can use to make up for your trip at another time.

Q: Lack of wind – what now?
A: Unfortunately, nature is not in our hands either and despite this uncertainty we want to ensure that our equipment is always up to date and our station is well maintained.
That’s why we offer a 50% credit for a “no wind day”.
This means: One day under 12 knots and the equipment was not used.
If you do use the equipment, you are not entitled to a voucher.
Please mention this at check-out and you will receive your voucher by email.

Q: How do I redeem my No Wind voucher?
A: The voucher is valid for your next visit to one of our stations.
It is valid for 2 years and you can redeem the voucher by booking in advance through us or one of our organizers.

Q: My booked course cannot be completed:
A: Your remaining time will be issued as a voucher. You can redeem this in the same way as the no-wind voucher.
(Basis for this: not enough wind/too much wind)

Q: I am ill and can no longer go onto the water:
A: We will keep the course time in the form of a voucher, but the course time will be forfeited in the event of unexcused absence from scheduled course dates! 

Travel Infos:

Q: What is the best way to get a visa if it is not yet included in my travel price?
A: Directly in the arrivals hall at the airport there are several bank counters on the left where you can buy a visa, the price is approx. 25 US dollars. Numerous tour operators also sell the visa, also in the arrivals hall, where it is usually a little more expensive.

Q: Which hotels are nearby?
A: Our Center in Marsa Alam is located on the beach of the hotel “Three Corners Equinox Beach Resort”. There are no other hotels within walking distance.

Q: What kind of payment methods are accepted?
A: If you make a pre-booking, you can pay either by bank transfer or by credit card. We accept Egyptian Pounds, Euros, US Dollars or credit cards directly on site. (Attention: We only accept Visa or Mastercard!)

Q: Is it possible to change money nearby or is there an ATM?
A: Most hotels have an ATM where you can withdraw or change money.

Q: Do you offer a transfer service?
A: For an extra charge we offer a pick-up and drop-off service from the airport, which is very helpful if you are traveling with your own equipment, for example. We can also arrange a friendly and reliable cab driver who will pick you up and drop you off wherever you want.

Q: What else can I do there?
A: In addition to the program at the ProCenter, the following activities await you in Hurghada: diving, horseback riding, catamaran sailing, quad bike safaris, massages, Aqua Parcs, excursions to various sights such as Luxor or Cairo and much more.
In Marsa Alam there is a diving school directly on the hotel beach. 

Shopping tips

A: In Marsa Alam you should bring almost everything you want with you. The stores in the hotels certainly also offer the most important items, but the price comparison is a bit of a stumbling block here. The next biggest shopping opportunity is in Porto Ghalib, about 30 minutes away by car.

Nightlife:

A: At the ProCenter in Marsa Alam at the Hotel Equinox we organize our legendary BBQ and beach party if there is sufficient demand (min. 8 people).
The nearest town, Port Ghalip, can be reached by taxi in about 30 minutes. However, the nightlife on offer here cannot be compared with Hurghada.

Still have questions? – then write us an [ e-mail ]. We will be happy to help you.