Kiting Egypt

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

In a few weeks I will be on a work trip to Sohag, Egypt. Anyone ever kited there ? I will be near Hurghada and Safaga, El Gouna. Fl

Most hotel reviews for these places are crappy. Seems to attract Russians on holiday looking for cheap food and booze.
Thanks,

ea

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

search/post on the UK forums - i think you'll plenty of info on Egypt

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Brilliant mate. Im on it ! (in my best Pikey accent)

Chooch · Sun Jun 06, 10 8:48 am **Re: Thanks**

Bailey · Since 13 Apr 2008 87 Posts

I have been to Hurgada twice and kited at the colona watersports center and it is great, you can store your gear there and stay anywhere in Hurgada and catch a bus in to the center which has a bar and good pizza and burgers. There is a hotel right at the kite center but it is CRAP (megawish). We stayed at the sofitel which is a 10 min walk south on the beach.

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Yeah me too Chooch Cool

-Thanks Bailey and Paul,

Read a number of reviews and they all say same. Hurghada is full of Russian tourists on cheap all inclusive , booze tours. The common denominator seems to be bad food and getting the runs. Sad

This one is good for research from our Brit friends :

http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/index.php

El Gouna looks better for hotels, and there is a town there. A few kite spots im checking are :

-Mangroovy beach : http://www.kitepower-elgouna.com/en/location/mangroovy_beach

http://www.redseazone.com/en/

-Mövenpick Resort : ?

Still weighting the options. Will report back with full details of adventures, or misadventures as the case may be .

Peace,
e

Nak · Sun Jun 06, 10 11:48 am **Re: Egypt**

Vladiator · Since 06 Jun 2009 252 Posts Napels FL Obsessed

BEWARE OF DRUNK RUSSIANS Drunk

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 565 Posts Hood River Photographer

Vladiator · Since 06 Jun 2009 252 Posts Napels FL Obsessed

Drinking in egypt is a big no no!

But not for Russians!!!

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Thanks for warning Vlad !

Nak - yeah many images to share when I get back fo' shizzle

From what I have been reading (El Gona, Hughada) are basically manufactured resort towns full of sharp elbowed Russians with no manners. Looks to be all-inclusive hell with gastro-intestinal maladies thrown in at no extra charge .

So back to drawing board. Im thinking Dahab might be better. smaller fishing town on the other side of the Sinai Pen. Lots of windsurfers since 1990's now with 2 kite schools More on this as I figure it out.
Peace

e

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

4Stringer ,
Where did you stay in Dahab , do you remember ?
Was it any good ?
Any info. helpful.

Thanks

e

Bailey · Since 13 Apr 2008 87 Posts

You get squirts from handling there money, always wash your hands afterwords.

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted

Very surprised that I easily found the card for the place that we stayed. Recall that it was cheap, staff was helpful and it was well organized. Hopefully, it's still the same. The only weird thing is showers were....saltwater. Not kidding. But we were on a tiny budget. Here's the link. See accommodations at the top;
http://penguindivers.com/index2.html

Started looking-at youtube of Dahab. Stumbled onto this stunning audio atrocity;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epaIo7z3DWU&feature=related

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

thanks man good link for diving there too.

will check for their lodging options too.

DARKSIDE · Since 19 May 2007 8 Posts Kook

Hi Bud, i'm from the U.K and have been to El Gouna 5 times.

We stayed at the Movenpick hotel. it's a good 5 star hotel, which has its own large private beach. On a busy day there's about 15-20 people out.
There's a bit of a wind shadow close in, but clears up further out.
The wind is cross on from the left.It's shallow for about 600 yds then a deep water channel and the shallow over the reef for 3 miles.
It is tidal, so not kite able all day, although you can walk out to the deep water if you want but watch out for the dead coral.it hurts like funk when you stand on it.

El Gouna is a large privately owned piece of land. So no beggars, thieves or bartering.and drinking is more than welcomed, just try and keep up as there are numerous bars and quality resturants.

Mangrovey beach is further up wind on the resort and there are three kite schools there.

In each kite school area there must be between 50-100 people of varying ability.

Russians, well they are there, but not in the numbers that you get at Hurgadha.

Hurgadha, don't like it, it's a built up sh*t hole of a place and expect to stand and argue over the price of everything, including the price for a russian pro., so I've heard !

Also, just in case you're wandering, a lot of the Egyptians are Christians and enjoy a drink themselves.

Any more info , just ask

D Laughing