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

  • © TMV/Gohlke

    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"
  • Small Müritz, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Waren (Müritz)

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Windsurfers in the small town of Waren (Müritz) will be happy about a good inland area with northeast to south winds and a camping site directly at the spot. The local surf school will provide you with equipment. Kiting is prohibited here.

    Read more: "Surfspot Waren (Müritz)"
  • Szczecin Lagoon, © surflocal.de

    Kamminke surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17419 Kamminke

    With the finest location with southerly winds and a camper parking lot directly at the spot, Kamminke makes surfers' hearts beat faster.

    Read more: "Kamminke surf spot"
  • Mecklenburg Bay, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Heiligendamm

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18209 Heiligendamm

    White villas and blue sea - in Germany's oldest Baltic resort you can surf against an intoxicating backdrop. You can enjoy the view in a particularly relaxed way with sideshore winds from the west and east-northeast.

    Read more: "Surfspot Heiligendamm"
  • Surfspot Zierow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 23968 Zierow

    Just a few kilometers west of Wismar, you'll find a shallow water spot for northwest to northeast winds in Zierow. And there is even a camping site here. Please pay attention to the designated surf zone.

    Read more: "Surfspot Zierow"
  • 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"
  • Strelasund, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Altefähr

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18573 Altefähr

    At the Strelasund you can surf with a southeast to west wind with a view of the skyline of the Hanseatic City of Stralsund and the impressive Rügen Bridge. On the lawn you have plenty of space to set up.

    Read more: "Surfspot Altefähr"
  • Great Jasmund Bodden, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Groß Banzelvitz

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18528 Groß Banzelvitz

    With northeast to south winds, beginners will find smooth water, a wide standing area and a meadow for relaxed set-up. Since the spot is only very small and therefore quickly overcrowded, inquire beforehand at the local surf school about the conditions.

    Read more: "Surfspot Groß Banzelvitz"
  • Wohlenberger Wiek surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 23948 Wohlenberg

    The Wohlenberger Wiek is for the most part under nature protection. Nevertheless, you can really let off steam here with kites and sails. For this purpose, the municipality has set up a surfing zone from May 1 to September 15. The protected location makes the Wohlenberger Wiek a flawless shallow water playground with wind from west to northeast.

    Read more: "Wohlenberger Wiek surf spot"
  • © surflocal.de

    Boiensdorf surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 23974 Boiensdorf

    At the southern end of the Salzhaff, Boiensdorf offers you a 200-meter wide standing area when the wind blows from the west to the northeast. And perfect smooth water for practicing and tricks is on top.

    Read more: "Boiensdorf surf spot"

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