Hurghada
HURGHADA RANGE FINDER
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KITESURFING HOLIDAYS - HURGHADATHE LUREEveryone from Hadlow to Shinn have been here for photo shoots and training. The shallow, flat waters and cheap package deals mean that this has also long been a favourite with kiters throughout Europe and Egypt's original kite spot has grown into the Red Sea's most popular kiting destination. Once sparse beaches brim with hotels and the town even hosts a Ministry of Sound nightclub. Year-round wind and sun only add to Hurghada's broad appeal. THE SET UP:Although various areas can be ridden, the kiting focuses around two main sites: Spot 1: The kite beach is located between the Jasmin Village and Grand Seas hotels; an 800 metre long sandy beach offers plenty of space to launch kites. The water depth gradually drops away and the beginner area on the inside is roughly the size of a football field and about half a metre deep. Beyond that there's another drop-off to about one-and-a-half metres. Roughly 400 metres from the shoreline the water shelves into the open sea. The areas are tidal and create differences of about half a metre. In extreme low tides beginners move into the slightly deeper areas between the shallows and the open sea. Find all you need at the Tommy Friedl Pro Centre on-site. Spot 2: Magawish bay boasts over a kilometre-and-a-half of beach as well as a vast sand bar located roughly 400 metres from the shore which is perfect for playing up to the camera or learning new tricks in perfect, flat water conditions. WIND, WEATHER AND WATER:The wind comes in cross/cross-onshore from the left (north), averaging forces four to six most of the year with the most consistent months for wind being March - September. Air temperatures can get up to 40°C / 104°F between those months in the summer, dropping to a lovely 23°C / 73°F in winter. October – April is low season, but there's still a 60% chance of wind, although it can be changeable in direction, coming totally on- or offshore for a few days a time, but the prevailing direction is still from the north. Expect water temperatures in the mid-twenties most of the year. Wetsuits are recommended in the winter months and the evenings can become cool enough for a hoody/jumper. GET AROUND:The kite spots are just a five minute taxi from the town centre. Car hire isn't recommended as the Egyptian driving style takes some getting used to and taxis and mini-buses are plentiful. You'll never have to wait more than five minutes for either. If you're here for kiting, you're more than likely to stay in a hotel that's close enough to the beach to not need a hire car anyway.Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP) - ?1 = EGP10 / €1 = EGP8 / US$1 = EGP6. Sterling, US dollars and Euros are accepted everywhere, as are most major credit cards ACCOMMODATION:There are loads of hotels suiting all budgets with great packages from Europe. Excellent childcare facilities in some allow you more time on the water. You may not find everything in town to your taste, but it's all here. FOOD AND DRINK:Hurghada is the biggest and liveliest of the Red Sea resorts. If you can't eat it, drink it or dance to it here, they probably don't have it in Egypt. NO WIND:This may be the epicentre of kiteboarding in Egypt, but it's packed with other tourist activities plus wakeboarding and of course the Red Sea has wonderful diving. A ferry between Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada makes an Egyptian road trip (by taxi) a possibility. Head to the Valley of the Kings to see the underground tombs and ancient artwork. Trips to Luxor also easily organised. AIRPORTS:Hurghada (HRG) is about a ten minute transfer to town. Taxis are fairly cheap and extremely plentiful. SCHOOLSPRO CENTRE JASMIN VILLAGE AND PRO CENTRE GRAND SEAS TRAVEL AGENTS:SPORTIF USEFUL LINKS:
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