Downwinder Kite Safari – A complete Guide
A downwinder during a kite safari is a classic activity, loved by kiters and by the team, and it’s the most adventurous thing you will do during a kite safari – it can be long 1 or 2h and you will be riding with other kiters alone in the middle of the Red Sea (but with the support of our Rescue boats, and leaded by one of our team). Here we will explain which are our usual downwinder routes during a kite safari, and the different level required. If you will join one of our kitesurf safari in Egypt, better be ready!
ROUTE 1 – ASHRAFI TO GEISUM
DIFFICULTY: EASY
DURATION: 1H
We launch our kite from the small side beach in Ashrafi, and when the kiters are ready, the boat will lead the downwinder heading to Geisum. It’s a good 45 minutes heading South, and it could be a bit wavy. Arrived at Geisum, the kiters will go upwind to Geisum South in 5 minutes, and that’s it. It’s a short downwinder, and I consider it easy cause it is short. Technically all downwinders are equally easy, but the longer the downwinder, the harder it is for our kiters.
ROUTE 2 – GEISUM TO TAWILA
DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM
DURATION: 2H
From any of Geisum kite spots, we will head to Tawila island. The first part is upwind till the West tip of Geisum – from there we will head South, passing the beautiful Survivor Island. Right after that, our kite leader will turn inside Tawila, going for a channel that will head to the main spot of Tawila, while the boat will simply make a bigger turn and head to the open sea. This downwinder it’s long, and it’s a mix of open sea areas and lagoons. The final part of the channel is really beautiful, and the arrival in Tawila is pure magic.
ROUTE 3 – GEISUM TO SURVIVOR ISLAND
DIFFICULTY: EASY
DURATION: 30 MINS
Exactly as above, but we stop way before hitting the channel, to the beautiful Survivor Island. Just be careful on how approach the island, as it needs to be approached by its EAST side (the rest is reef, better avoid it if you have no watershoes). That’s why it is so important to have a good briefing before the downwinder.
ROUTE 4 – ASHRAFI
DIFFICULTY: SUPER EASY
DURATION: 10 MINS
From the main lagoon of Ashrafi we will head to the small beach of Ashrafi. It’s a super short downwind, that we do normally at the end of the day (since most times our boat is parked at the small beach). A fun experience if you never did a downwinder in your life.
I love kitesurfing, travelling, and making short walks with my dog. I organize kite cruises in Egypt since 2014, you may find me in some windy beach pretty much all year round when I’m not on the boat, may it be Egypt, Cape Verde, Mauritius or Greece. I drink red wine and play (badly) the guitar. You can contact me at +201009410388 (whatsapp or calls) or just email me at info@sickdogsurf.com
Hope to see you on board one of these days!