Kite this Kite that.. Do you kite? Well that is all that I have heard for the last year. The sport has definitely made its mark on an international basis with talks of it even being part of the 2016 Olympic Games.
Having taken the leap myself and knowing what goes in to it. Well let’s just say I learnt the hard way that nothing comes easy.
I sat down with the boys from Kiteology to get the low down on the Kiting world, where they fall in to it and how you can be a part of it.
Who are the Kiteology team?
The Kiteology team today is basically 3 people Aly Awady, Ismail Farid and Omar El Dewey. The idea started in the back seat of a truck on a kitesurfing trip, as we were all complaining about the fact that there isn’t a single Egyptian portal dedicated to kitesurfing.
Tell us about the concept you are trying to build and what the response has been like so far
The concept initially started as an online gear shop, then the idea evolved into a much more comprehensive platform for Kitesurfing in Egypt. The portal is built for the kitesurfing community and any individual who is looking to get into the sport. It’s very important for us to grow the sport in Egypt, and to make it more accessible for people, especially students. The portal will provide comprehensive information on centers and spots across Egypt with images, wind forecasts for each spot, and prices for courses and gear rentals. There will be a travel section that will feature international and local kitesurfing trips, an events calendar that will list all kitesurfing events in Egypt, an online gear shop that works with different suppliers and distributors to provide a one-stop-gear-shop, a fully dedicated community forum that addresses a variety of kitesurfing topics, from gear reviews to new tricks, and a news section covering all news from around the globe. Until now we have had excellent feedback from the community and everyone is very excited about the launch. The community is very eager to have a portal of their own whereby they can all exchange ideas and share topics in an open platform.
Is this solely restricted for Kite Surfers or any water sports?
It’s mainly for Kitesurfing and Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) which is a new water sport that is taking the world by storm. However, we would also carry surf boards in our shop, yet surfing isn’t huge in Egypt as there are only a couple of spots which are somewhat good.
Have you given up your 9-5 for this or is this more of a side project?
Yes, Aly and myself gave up everything to pursue this passion. Dewey as you may know is also involved in other business ventures and it’s been a lot of hard work for him. Yet, this is what partners do, they fill in the gaps and carry the work load when one is not able to. Aly and I left the suit and tie 9-5 corporate whores life and exchanged that for shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops. To a lot of people it sounds like a great life, it is… but everything is not always pink. There’s a lot of hard work that goes into this, even if you’re wearing flip-flops.
Have you had any bad accidents that scared you off from the sport? or are you just too addicted at this point?
We’ve all had accidents at some point in time. But like any other sport. You can hurt yourself on a spinning bike at the gym. Bumps and bruises are common, some cuts here and there, broken limbs and bones not as much as they used to be. You’re actually more likely to hurt yourself while launching or landing the kite on the beach than doing tricks in the water. But like any other sport, it’s not free of injury. Yet there’s a misconception that kitesurfing is super dangerous and you’re very likely to die if you take up the sport. This is so far from the truth. Just like anything, the sport evolved and so did the equipment. The number one focus of research and development over the last few years was purely on safety and performance. The sport today is safer than ever, it’s very unlikely that you get severely injured with the technology available in gear today. If you learn the basics properly and do the course in the right manner and of course always keeping your eye open when in the water, the probability for injury is incredibly slim.
Do you think Kiting is a new phenomenon in Egypt or is this is a growing sport internationally?
It’s not a new phenomenon. Kitesurfing in Egypt has been around since the early 2000’s. The sport is growing rapidly, internationally and locally, and now has become part of the Rio 2016 Olympics, while wind surfing has been scrapped. More and more people are getting into it because it’s becoming safer. 12 years ago the kites weren’t as safe as today. When you compare the kites of today with the kites 12 years ago the difference is massive. Back then you were more likely to kill yourself, today that possibility is slim to none, unless you’re kiting in shark infested waters next to a high voltage power line, then you’re kind of asking for it.
How much does a course usually cost and can it be done over a weekend or do you need more time?
The 9 hours beginner course costs anywhere between 2000-2600 depending on the center and location. Centers in Gouna for instance charge more than centers in Ras Sudr, which is normal as it’s a tourist destination. People usually need 2-3 days to get all the 9 hours in, some need more hours in the water, which they can pay for extra and some don’t. It really depends on your learning curve, some are just fast learners, other’s not as fast. But everyone can learn to kitesurf.
Are most of your clients Egyptian or foreign?
Most of our clients today are Egyptian. But this is our focus. We want to focus on the local community, to grow the sport amongst us. We have the best beaches and weather conditions in Africa and the Middle East. Yet, the sport on a local level is still very much in its infant stages. We want more Egyptians to get into it, it’s an extremely healthy lifestyle and the current community is very strong. The sport has lots of benefits such as weight loss, enhanced endurance and helps with blood circulation, it strengthens your back, abs, legs and arms… basically it’s a great work out. As for the community itself, you can’t ask for anything better, everyone is friendly on the beach, there’s always a helping hand when you need one. Our theory is… Everyone’s personality changes when they are in swimming suits, their best comes out.
What do you see the future is for Kite Surfing in Egypt / Middle East? Do you think it is a fad or a trend that is here to stay?
It’s definitely not a fad, it’s here to stay. The sport will grow rapidly internationally; we want to be a part of growing it locally. More and more people ask us about courses every day, even if they don’t fully get into it all the way, they want to at least try. Although there’s a super strong kitesurfing community, there’s also a sense of individuality in the sport. There’s an unexplainable sensation when you’re on the board, cruising faster than a ski boat, with no sounds of motors around you. You don’t need fuel, you don’t need a half million pound boat to pull you behind it, you don’t need a driver, you’re already in the driver seat.. All you need is a kite, a board, a harness and some good wind.
There has been a very big interest from young adults, how are you planning to target students & universities?
Well, we want to create clubs/hubs in different universities and schools. Whereby, students would run their own club in each university and be part of the Kiteology umbrella. This would allow us to determine future athletes that we can help sponsor and send to international competitions. Students in those clubs would get benefits such as discount on courses and gear as well as many other membership benefits.
Do you think Egypt is a good overall destination for the sport?
Egypt is one of the best destinations in the world actually. Where else can you find this much coast line, with warm weather and crystal clear water all year round? If it’s too cold to kitesurf in Ras Sudr in the winter, you can always go to Marsa Alam where its much warmer. We have so many beautiful spots all over the country, and the sport motivates people to travel and get out of the city as much as they possibly can. Some people are capable of waking up at dawn on Friday, drive to Ras Sudr or Sokhna to kitesurf for the day, and make it back on time for a party at night. We have infrastructure in place in a lot of areas, yet the sport needs more marketing and awareness.
Last but not least. Why have you decided to open up shop particularly in Ras Sudr?
Firstly it’s one of the best locations in the world for Kiting everything about it fits a Kiter’s dream. Secondly we have been looking in too the area for a while have seen allot of investment. We personally see Ras Sudr as being the next best thing in Egypt, this place is going to boom.
WE SAID THIS: Live On the Wild Side, Pick Up A Kite And Explore Egypt’s Backyard!
