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

  • Ideale Surf- und Kitebedingungen auf der Insel Poel // © Liene Photografie Nadine Sorgenfried

    Timmendorf Surf Spot

    • 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: "Timmendorf Surf Spot"
  • LOOP IN - Surf & Kiteschool Dierhagen Kitesurfing Baltic Sea Team // © Plamen Solzer

    Kite course Baltic Sea

    • Hafenstr., 18347 Dierhagen

    Flat water, state-of-the-art equipment and personal support - all this awaits you at our Baltic Sea kite school on the Saaler Bodden. Our training area is safe, offers plenty of space and allows training from all wind directions.

    Read more: "Kite course Baltic Sea"
  • © 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"
  • Ostsee // © surflocal.de

    Karlshagen Surf Spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17449 Karlshagen

    With crisp winds from the north to southeast, Karlshagen provides an endorphin flood for wave fans. However, since the fine sandy beach and clear Baltic water also make bathers happy, you'll have to pay attention to the swimming area during the high season.

    Read more: "Karlshagen Surf Spot"
  • Kühlungsborn und seine idealen Surfreviere aus der Luft // © Touristik-Service-Kühlungsborn GmbH

    Kühlungsborn surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18225 Kühlungsborn

    With strong winds from the west to the northeast, powerful waves challenge you to a trial of strength in Kühlungsborn. So that you don't get in the way of the numerous sun worshippers in summer, there is a special sports beach in front of the Anglersteig.

    Read more: "Kühlungsborn surf spot"

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