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

  • © 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"
  • Baltic Sea, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Prerow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18375 Prerow

    As a moderate wave area, Prerow also offers Baltic Sea beginners the best conditions - especially near the beach. The further out you surf, the heavier and more demanding the swell becomes. On good east wind days you can play with nice ramps.

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

    Kitesurfing track Boek

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Gertrud-von-le-Fort-Allee, 17248 Boek

    This is the top spot on the Müritz - and also the only one where you can kite on the water. The small but fine sandy beach slopes so gently that the water is shallow for 500 meters. You will have the most fun from southwest to north. If the water is calm, you can pass the time with beach volleyball or rent a SUP from the windsurfing school.

    Read more: "Kitesurfing track Boek"
  • © Wassersport Fleesensee

    Surfspot Untergöhren (Fleesensee)

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17213 Untergöhren

    The 210-meter wide standing area makes the southern shore of Lake Fleesensee an ideal windsurfing spot in southwest to north winds. Kiting is allowed in the specially established kite zone, but only recommended for experts due to the many obstacles on land.

    Read more: "Surfspot Untergöhren (Fleesensee)"
  • Mecklenburg Bay, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Ahrenshoop

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18347 Ahrenshoop

    Painters, sculptors and potters love Ahrenshoop - as well as wave artists. Southwest to north winds are particularly inspiring. You can live out your creativity on two sections of the beach: At the Hohe Ufer or further north at Aufgang 3.

    Read more: "Surfspot Ahrenshoop"
  • Ideal surfing and kite conditions on the island of 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"
  • Oceanblue Watersports

    • Am Parkplatz, 18230 Rerik

    Our greatest reward is your joy! Fast learning success on the kite, through individual support.

    Read more: "Oceanblue Watersports"
  • Surfspot Ahlbeck

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17419 Ahlbeck

    One of the most beautiful Baltic resorts on the Island of Usedom is Ahlbeck and a super spot for wave beginners. Up to 80 meters from the beach, the Baltic Sea is still shallow. Relaxed sideshore conditions are provided by wind from the northwest and east.

    Read more: "Surfspot Ahlbeck"
  • © TMV/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"
  • Greifswald Bodden, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Rose Garden

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18574 Rosengarten

    A hunting ground without frills. Even the approach via the bumpy dirt road is a real adventure. But the courage is rewarded. When the wind blows from the northeast to the south, Rosengarten is a real top spot. Then you can ride kilometer-long strokes parallel to the natural shore and almost always have standing-deep water under your board.

    Read more: "Surfspot Rose Garden"

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