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

63 results

  • kitesafe.de - Watersports school

    • Am Strandweg, 17509 Loissin

    kitesafe.de offers professional kitesurfing, wingfoil & SUP courses in Loissin on the Greifswalder Bodden. Ideal for beginners & advanced - with IKO/VDWS/IWO-certified instructors, top equipment & radio support for quick learning success.

    Read more: "kitesafe.de - Watersports school"
  • Surfspot Ludwigsburg

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17509 Ludwigsburg

    In southern and south-westerly winds Ludwigsburg is first choice in the direct vicinity of Greifswald - and also the only one. For the slightly gusty wind the spot reimburses with a large Shallow area and plenty of space to build up.

    Read more: "Surfspot Ludwigsburg"
  • Surfspot Rose Garden

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18574 Rosengarten

    A hunting ground without frills. Even the approach via the bumpy dirt road is a real adventure. But the courage is rewarded. When the wind blows from the northeast to the south, Rosengarten is a real top spot. Then you can ride kilometer-long strokes parallel to the natural shore and almost always have standing-deep water under your board.

    Read more: "Surfspot Rose Garden"
  • © 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)"
  • © 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"
  • © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Wiek

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18556 Wiek

    The wind mecca of Germany is located high in the north of the Island of Rügen and spoils with an incredible standing area that reaches out 450 meters. The spot is recommended for southwest to north winds. You can take courses and rent equipment at the wind and kitesurfing schools. Because of the sheltered location on the Wieker Bodden, the water is as smooth as iron.

    Read more: "Surfspot Wiek"
  • Tromper Wiek, © surflocal.de

    Schaabe surf spot (Juliusruh)

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18556 Juliusruh

    After you have worked your way through the typical Baltic Sea shorebreak in Juliusruh, beautiful waves will put a big smile on your face. With sideshore from the northeast and southeast, you surf parallel to the kilometer-long sandy beach.

    Read more: "Schaabe surf spot (Juliusruh)"
  • Baltic Sea, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Zinnowitz

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17454 Zinnowitz

    Shallow-water fanatics are at the wrong address in Zinnowitz. With a strong breeze from the east, first-class Baltic Sea waves roll onto the fine sandy beach here. In the high season, however, you can only enjoy the spectacle outside the bathing zone because of the many vacationers.

    Read more: "Surfspot Zinnowitz"
  • Surf Spot Ueckermünde (Stettiner Haff)

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17373 Ueckermünde

    This shallow water spot with the broad standing area is still a real sleeper. Optimal conditions dominate in northwest and southeast wind. Surfing is forbidden from May 15 to September 15. Then you can fall back on Bellin, which is only five kilometres away.

    Read more: "Surf Spot Ueckermünde (Stettiner Haff)"
  • Baltic Sea, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Kreptitz

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18556 Dranske

    Windsurfers are among themselves here. Kiting is prohibited. On the offshore sandbanks the waves break very cleanly and on strong wind days easily three meters high. You will have the most fun with sideshore from west-southwest. The standing area is narrow. Rocks lurk everywhere under the water surface. Therefore: experts only!

    Read more: "Surfspot Kreptitz"

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