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

  • Mecklenburg Bay, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Ahrenshoop

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18347 Ahrenshoop

    Painters, sculptors and potters love Ahrenshoop - as well as wave artists. Southwest to north winds are particularly inspiring. You can live out your creativity on two sections of the beach: At the Hohe Ufer or further north at Aufgang 3.

    Read more: "Surfspot Ahrenshoop"
  • © Pohlmann Media

    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"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Surfspot Lütow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17440 Lütow

    The small amount of space makes Lütow a pure windsurfing spot. The spot works especially well with wind from south to northwest directions.

    Read more: "Surfspot Lütow"
  • Mecklenburg Bay, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Dierhagen

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18347 Dierhagen

    Dierhagen is a first-class wave spot from west to northeast. Since there are no groynes here, even beginners can venture into the Baltic waves.

    Read more: "Surfspot Dierhagen"
  • Baltic Sea, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Peenemünde

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17449 Peenemünde

    Locals on Usedom especially appreciate Peenemünde, especially with winds from the north to southeast. Unlike most Baltic Sea spots on the island, you only have to share the beach with a few bathers. The standing area is 120 meters wide, making it perfect for anyone venturing into the waves for the first time.

    Read more: "Surfspot Peenemünde"
  • 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"
  • © TV FDZ

    Surfcenter Wustrow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Fischländer Weg 1, 18347 Wustrow

    Surfcenter Wustrow

    Read more: "Surfcenter Wustrow"
  • Baltic Sea, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Prerow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18375 Prerow

    As a moderate wave area, Prerow also offers Baltic Sea beginners the best conditions - especially near the beach. The further out you surf, the heavier and more demanding the swell becomes. On good east wind days you can play with nice ramps.

    Read more: "Surfspot Prerow"
  • Salt lagoon, © 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"
  • 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"

Content is loaded

Content is loaded

Content is loaded

back