Kite courses for the deaf

What the wind whispers

Author: Anna Monterroso Carneiro
Published: March 21, 2025

In the Schaproder Bodden in the west of Rügen, you can stand right up to the fairway - an important prerequisite for surfing beginners. Kitesurfing instructor explains in sign language to the kitesurfing student what she should do.

Luisa and Patrick are standing on the shore of the Regenbogen Ferienanlage Suhrendorf campsite, a popular destination for windsurfers and kitesurfers. The kite instructor holds up an anemometer. „Not even twelve knots“, he comments. „Not an easy wind speed for a beginner, because it's difficult to keep the kite in the air with so little wind.“ For his explanation, Patrick has slipped the anemometer into his trouser pocket – he is deaf and needs both hands to communicate with Luisa in sign language.

Kitesurfers on Ummanz surf in the standing area on the Baltic Sea
Luisa's dream: kitesurfing on the Baltic Sea like the experts! That's why she booked a kite course at DeafVentures.
Kitesurfing lessons in sign language - The instructor explains to the student on Ummanz.
Everything clear? Luisa is deaf. So is her instructor Patrick. DeafVentures is the first certified kitesurfing school in Germany for the deaf.
Team from DeafVenture, Germany's first certified kite school for the deaf

What can come of a chance encounter?

Germany's first certified kitesurfing school for the deaf!

The two became friends in Sri Lanka. It turned out that Marie, the native language interpreter, never really had much work in the summer. "Why don't you come to Ummanz for a summer and help out at the surf school?" Pia suggested. That happened in the summer of 2017, and by the time the summer on Ummanz was over, the two friends had combined their respective professional skills into a joint project - a kit school for the walking-less. Pia, who had a Master's degree in International Management with a focus on start-ups, even completed a native language course. Now I can communicate quite well with deaf people, but of course not as well as Marie. She has really studied it.“

If it is too weak, beginners will find it difficult to keep the kite in the air. A kitesurfing instructor measures the wind with a wind gauge.

Five-day kite course for walkers

Wind fairs, lines and pizza

The beginner's course consists of ten hours spread over five days, from Monday to Friday. The program includes practical sessions on the Bodden, theory lessons and many moments of relaxation. The latter also take place in the form of a fresh pizza evening at the „tiki bar“ of the nearby surf hostel, where pastrami pizza is served with beer and summer soda, accompanied by wildly mixed music from the band.

Before taking the kite into the water, Patrick shows how to release the lines in an emergency.
Before going into the water with the kite, Patrick shows how to release the lines in case of emergency.
The kite pulls Luisa out of the water. The kite instructor holds her securely behind.
The kite pulls Luisa out of the water. It can finally start!
Refreshments with pizza, summer lemonade, beer and the two DeafVenture founders Pia and Marie in the "Tikibar".
Refreshment with pizza, summer soda, beer and the two DeafVenture founders Pia and Marie in the "Tikibar".
The Ummaii Surfhostel from the air with a view of the Baltic Sea at sunset
Right next to the kite spot - the Rügen Surfhostel with a view of the sunset.

Surfspots at the Baltic Sea and Lake District

Surfing spots in MV - Shallow water, flat water and wave spots for every wind direction

65 results

  • Wieker Bodden // © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Dranske

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18556 Dranske

    The main spot is located in the middle of the town on the Wieker Bodden - protected from the open Baltic Sea. You can set up and launch on a large meadow. In front of it, there is a large shallow water area with a 200-meter wide standing area. A little insider tip: With east and west winds, you can enjoy the jet effect.

    Read more: "Surfspot Dranske"
  • Surfspot Pepelow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18233 Pepelow

    The spot at the Salzhaff offers shallow water deluxe! You can park in front of or on the campsite. Day tickets are available at the reception. The Salzhaff is very shallow and the standing area is therefore extremely large. Especially windsurfers have to walk further out at low tide so that the fin doesn't involuntarily become an anchor. Pepelow shows its best side with southwest to north.

    Read more: "Surfspot Pepelow"
  • © Wassersport Fleesensee

    Surfspot Untergöhren (Fleesensee)

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17213 Untergöhren

    The 210-meter wide standing area makes the southern shore of Lake Fleesensee an ideal windsurfing spot in southwest to north winds. Kiting is allowed in the specially established kite zone, but only recommended for experts due to the many obstacles on land.

    Read more: "Surfspot Untergöhren (Fleesensee)"
  • Port of Dabitz

    • Hafen, 18314 Kenz-Küstrow

    The very special Dabitz harbor. Lots of live music, surf and SUP school, delicious food and boat watching. Caravan site, tent site, moorings, access to the slipway

    Read more: "Port of Dabitz"
  • Tremt surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18519 Tremt

    On east wind days Tremt is a popular shallow water spot on the Greifswalder Bodden. The entry area is a bit narrow, but you can do it on the water and on land really wide. A fat nozzle provides extra power in kites and sails.

    Read more: "Tremt surf spot"
  • Müritz // © surflocal.de

    Kitesurfing track Boek

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Gertrud-von-le-Fort-Allee, 17248 Boek

    This is the top spot on the Müritz - and also the only one where you can kite on the water. The small but fine sandy beach slopes so gently that the water is shallow for 500 meters. You will have the most fun from southwest to north. If the water is calm, you can pass the time with beach volleyball or rent a SUP from the windsurfing school.

    Read more: "Kitesurfing track Boek"
  • Schweriner Außensee // © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Retgendorf (Lake Schwerin)

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 19067 Retgendorf

    When the wind blows from southwest to north, you can have a lot of fun on Schwerin's Outer Lake. Strong winds even conjure up small kicker waves on the otherwise smooth water.

    Read more: "Surfspot Retgendorf (Lake Schwerin)"
  • Stand Up Paddling in Graal-Müritz // © TuK GmbH Graal Müritz, Alexander Rudolph

    Surfspot Graal-Müritz

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18181 Graal-Müritz

    Sideshore winds from the west and northeast are optimal for a surf day at the Baltic health spa. In stormy weather, however, Graal-Müritz is only recommended for experienced wave slashers due to the densely standing groynes and the steeply sloping beach.

    Read more: "Surfspot Graal-Müritz"
  • © Marie Kohlen

    DeafVentures

    • Suhrendorf, 18569 Ummanz

    DeafVentures offers you kitesurfing courses that are adapted to your needs. The team includes two deaf kitesurfing instructors, a sign language interpreter and a hearing kitesurfing instructor who also diligently learns DGS!

    Read more: "DeafVentures"
  • Greifswalder Bodden // © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Grabow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18574 Grabow

    The optimal wind direction for the wave spot is east. Then small, steep ramps build up on the numerous sandbanks, which are nice to ride down.

    Read more: "Surfspot Grabow"

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