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 Ergebnisse
  • 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"
  • LOOP IN - Surf & Kite School Dierhagen

    • Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Straße, 18347 Dierhagen

    The LOOP IN kite school on the Baltic Sea offers ideal conditions for water sports enthusiasts. The exclusive spot on the Saaler Bodden stretches over an area the size of more than 100 soccer pitches. No buddy system: everyone trains with their own kite! Wing surfing, wing foiling, windsurfing and stand-up paddling are also on offer.

    Read more: "LOOP IN - Surf & Kite School Dierhagen"
  • © 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"
  • © 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"
  • Greifswald Bodden, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Lubmin

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17509 Lubmin

    Baltic Sea flair at the Bodden. The fine sandy beach, the large standing area and small but fine waves in southwest to northeast wind make Lubmin a real alternative for wave beginners.

    Read more: "Surfspot Lubmin"
  • © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Karlshagen

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17449 Karlshagen

    With crisp winds from the north to southeast, Karlshagen provides an endorphin flood for wave fans. However, since the fine sandy beach and clear Baltic water also make bathers happy, you'll have to pay attention to the swimming area during the high season.

    Read more: "Surfspot Karlshagen"
  • © 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"
  • © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Hiddensee

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18565 Insel Hiddensee

    The car-free island of Hiddensee is an adventure playground for wave experts, especially with winds from the southwest to the north. In front of the natural beach, almost big waves start up for Baltic Sea conditions - in strong northwest winds, the green rollers build up to three meters.

    Read more: "Surfspot Hiddensee"
  • Sunset bench, © Groh

    Beach Sommersdorf

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17111 Sommersdorf

    On the western shore of Lake Kummerow, a wide sandy beach, several swimming bays and usually a light breeze await you. From here you can enjoy breathtaking sunsets.

    Read more: "Beach Sommersdorf"
  • Kitemafia hall

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Am Bodden, 18317 Saal

    Watersportcenter Saal & Kitesportschool Simon

    Read more: "Kitemafia hall"

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