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

  • © northtours, Krämer, Polly Ferienhof

    Boat rental at Polly Ferienhof Strasen

    • Pelzkuhler Str., 17255 Strasen

    On a quiet side arm of the Großer Pälitzsee in the Polly Ferienhof you can rent out Single kayak, double kayak with steering system, canoe (3 persons or 2 adults and max. 2 children), SUP (fixed boards), fishing boat (as rowing boat or with 5 HP motor, max. 4 persons)

    Read more: "Boat rental at Polly Ferienhof Strasen"
  • 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 Baabe

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18586 Baabe

    Baabe is a top location with easterly wind directions. The waves break cleanly on the sandbank and run onto the beach with a moderate shorebreak. In high season, you are not allowed to go on the water in the bathing zone marked with buoys.

    Read more: "Surfspot Baabe"
  • Salzhaff // © 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"
  • © MV-T/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"
  • Wieker Bodden // © 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"
  • Vitter Bodden // © 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"
  • Kubitz Bodden // © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Rambin

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18573 Rambin

    Due to nature conservation regulations, only windsurfers are allowed to enjoy the great flat water and the gigantic standing area here. This sport is recommended with wind directions between west and northwest.

    Read more: "Surfspot Rambin"
  • Großer Jasmunder 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"
  • 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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