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

  • Kitemafia hall

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

    Watersportcenter Saal & Kitesportschool Simon

    Read more: "Kitemafia hall"
  • © TDG Rechlin mbH

    Bathing beach campsite "Boek" C16

    • Gertrud-von-le-Fort-Allee, 17248 Boek

    Our nature campsite "Boek" C 16 with a surfing and canoeing base and a kite surfing route is located directly on the south-eastern shore of the Müritz, Germany's largest inland lake at 117 km².

    Read more: "Bathing beach campsite "Boek" C16"
  • © Marie Kohlen

    DeafVentures

    • Suhrendorf, 18569 Ummanz

    DeafVentures offers you kitesurfing courses that are adapted to your needs. The team includes two deaf kitesurfing instructors, a sign language interpreter and a hearing kitesurfing instructor who also diligently learns DGS!

    Read more: "DeafVentures"
  • Ideale Surf- und Kitebedingungen auf der Insel Poel // © Liene Photografie Nadine Sorgenfried

    Surfspot Timmendorf

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 23999 Timmendorf

    The entry area is located on the sandy beach in front of the water sports station. The spot has a 250-meter standing area and is therefore ideal for surfing beginners. You will enjoy the best conditions when the wind blows from southwest to northeast.

    Read more: "Surfspot Timmendorf"
  • Kitesurfing on Ummanz in front of Suhrendorf // © MV-T/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"
  • Surfspot Kägsdorf

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18230 Kägsdorf

    In Kägsdorf you surf best with southwest. Then the wind blows sideshore and brings a decent wave with wind forces around 5 Beaufort. Since it is quite chaotic near the shore, the spot is only partly suitable for beginners. You can park your surfmobile on the large parking lot right behind the dune.

    Read more: "Surfspot Kägsdorf"
  • Kitesurfen und Windsurfen, Ostsee, Usedom // © 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"
  • Surfspot Thiessow (main spot)

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18586 Thiessow

    You can park and stay overnight directly at the spot for a small fee with your van, camper or other vehicle. You can set up your equipment on the beach or on a small meadow. Best wind direction for wave fans is southwest. Then moderately high waves run into the small bay.

    Read more: "Surfspot Thiessow (main spot)"
  • Stand Up Paddling in Graal-Müritz // © TuK GmbH Graal Müritz, Alexander Rudolph

    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"
  • Ostsee // © 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"

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