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

66 results

  • Schwerin Outer Lake, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Retgendorf (Lake Schwerin)

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 19067 Retgendorf

    When the wind blows from southwest to north, you can have a lot of fun on Schwerin's Outer Lake. Strong winds even conjure up small kicker waves on the otherwise smooth water.

    Read more: "Surfspot Retgendorf (Lake Schwerin)"
  • 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"
  • © Kitemafia Saal

    Kitemafia hall

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

    Watersportcenter Saal & Kitesportschool Simon

    Read more: "Kitemafia hall"
  • Kitesurfing on Ummanz in front of Suhrendorf, © TMV/Gänsicke

    Surfspot Suhrendorf

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18569 Suhrendorf

    Hang loose awaits you in Suhrendorf. With a kite and windsurf school, stores and camping site, everything is there. There's even a casual surf hostel right behind the beach. And the beach bar with a view of the sunset over the island of Hiddensee puts the icing on the cake. With southwest to north winds, you get your money's worth here.

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

    Schaprode surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18569 Schaprode

    With perfect flat water and a gigantic standing area, Schaprode is made for refining your style under laboratory conditions. But stay away from the fairway! You are not allowed to kite at this creamy spot for nature conservation reasons. Optimal conditions are provided by winds from southwest to northwest.

    Read more: "Schaprode surf spot"
  • © 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"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Surfspot Zierow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 23968 Zierow

    Just a few kilometers west of Wismar, you'll find a shallow water spot for northwest to northeast winds in Zierow. And there is even a camping site here. Please pay attention to the designated surf zone.

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

    Surfspot North Beach Cape Arkona

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18556 Putgarten

    Cape Arkona at the northernmost point of the Island of Rügen is only for the hardy. With winds of 4 Beaufort or more from northwest to east, mighty Baltic Sea waves roll against the steep coast. Rocks lurk everywhere in the water, and when the wind blows from the north, extreme windward congestion occurs.

    Read more: "Surfspot North Beach Cape Arkona"
  • © Schöne Freizeit

    Surfing and kitesurfing school Usedom

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Zeltplatzstr., 17449 Karlshagen

    Learn kitesurfing on the Baltic Sea on Usedom and the Achterwasser. We are lucky enough to teach in one of the largest standing and learning areas in Germany, and depending on the wind direction, we can switch to several spots. Our water sports center is located on the Baltic Sea, on the sunny island of Usedom, on the sports beach.

    Read more: "Surfing and kitesurfing school Usedom"

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