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

  • Prorer Wiek // © surflocal.de

    Surfspot New Mukran

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18546 Neu Mukran

    In Neu Mukran you can park directly in front of the beach and spend the night. Here, the waves pile up to three meters high on the offshore sandbank. Sideshore wind from the northeast provides creamy conditions. Also east is still relaxed to surf. On the somewhat rocky shore you have to expect moderate shorebreak.

    Read more: "Surfspot New Mukran"
  • Mecklenburger Bucht // © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Warnemünde

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18119 Warnemünde

    For water sports, there is the signposted surf zone here, with perfect sideshore conditions in westerly and northeasterly winds. But the spot has cult status due to the "Ferry Wave Surfing": When every two hours a ferry from Denmark arrives in the harbor, it brings small but fine wave sets that can be ridden cleanly with SUP or longboard.

    Read more: "Surfspot Warnemünde"
  • 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"
  • Saaler Bodden // © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Born

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18375 Born a. Darß

    Born is a classic Bodden spot with few waves and a lot of standing area. Best freeride action is provided by the southwest - then you can surf along the reed-covered Bodden coast without stress. But also with all other wind directions from southeast to west there is a lot going on here. But please respect the boundaries of the national park.

    Read more: "Surfspot Born"
  • Kühlungsborn and its ideal surfing spots from the air // © Touristik-Service-Kühlungsborn GmbH

    Kühlungsborn surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18225 Kühlungsborn

    With strong winds from the west to the northeast, powerful waves challenge you to a trial of strength in Kühlungsborn. So that you don't get in the way of the numerous sun worshippers in summer, there is a special sports beach in front of the Anglersteig.

    Read more: "Kühlungsborn surf spot"
  • 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)"
  • © MV-T, Danny Gohlke

    Surfspot Groß Schwansee

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 23942 Groß Schwansee

    Only a few bathers stray to Groß Schwansee. That's why you can sail down the long natural beach here in northwesterly winds, completely undisturbed and parallel to the shore.

    Read more: "Surfspot Groß Schwansee"
  • © MV-T, Danny Gohlke

    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"
  • 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)"
  • 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"

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