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

  • Lots of fun "piggyback" kitesurfing // © Oceanblue Watersports

    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"
  • Baltic Sea // © surflocal.de

    Zingst surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Strandübergang, 18374 Zingst

    The water sports zone in Zingst is located at beach entrance 6. The spot works perfectly with west and east. Then you can surf relaxed in sideshore conditions between the narrow groynes out into the Baltic Sea waves.

    Read more: "Zingst surf spot"
  • Saaler Bodden // © surflocal.de

    Born Surf Spot

    • 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: "Born Surf Spot"
  • © MV-T, Danny Gohlke

    Pepelow Surf Spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18233 Pepelow

    The spot at the Salzhaff offers shallow water deluxe! You can park in front of or on the campsite. Day tickets are available at the reception. The Salzhaff is very shallow and the standing area is therefore extremely large. Especially windsurfers have to walk further out at low tide so that the fin doesn't involuntarily become an anchor. Pepelow shows its best side with southwest to north.

    Read more: "Pepelow Surf Spot"
  • © MV-T, Danny Gohlke

    Kägsdorf Surf Spot

    • 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: "Kägsdorf Surf Spot"
  • Szczecin Lagoon // © surflocal.de

    Kamminke surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17419 Kamminke

    With the finest location with southerly winds and a camper parking lot directly at the spot, Kamminke makes surfers' hearts beat faster.

    Read more: "Kamminke surf spot"
  • Prorer Wiek // © 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"
  • Müritz // © 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"
  • Baltic Sea // © surflocal.de

    Ahlbeck Surf Spot

    • 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: "Ahlbeck Surf Spot"
  • Ostsee // © surflocal.de

    Peenemünde Surf Spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17449 Peenemünde

    Locals on Usedom especially appreciate Peenemünde, especially with winds from the north to southeast. Unlike most Baltic Sea spots on the island, you only have to share the beach with a few bathers. The standing area is 120 meters wide, making it perfect for anyone venturing into the waves for the first time.

    Read more: "Peenemünde Surf Spot"

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