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

  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Wohlenberger Wiek surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 23948 Wohlenberg

    The Wohlenberger Wiek is for the most part under nature protection. Nevertheless, you can really let off steam here with kites and sails. For this purpose, the municipality has set up a surfing zone from May 1 to September 15. The protected location makes the Wohlenberger Wiek a flawless shallow water playground with wind from west to northeast.

    Read more: "Wohlenberger Wiek surf spot"
  • Water sports center Zingst

    • Müggenburger Weg, 18374 Ostseeheilbad Zingst

    We are a team of individual surfers who have made their lifestyle their profession. We show you our passion kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing and sailing and infect you with the surf virus - since 1999.

    Read more: "Water sports center Zingst"
  • Mecklenburg Bay, © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Warnemünde

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18119 Warnemünde

    For water sports, there is the signposted surf zone here, with perfect sideshore conditions in westerly and northeasterly winds. But the spot has cult status due to the "Ferry Wave Surfing": When every two hours a ferry from Denmark arrives in the harbor, it brings small but fine wave sets that can be ridden cleanly with SUP or longboard.

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

    Surfspot Wiek

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18556 Wiek

    The wind mecca of Germany is located high in the north of the Island of Rügen and spoils with an incredible standing area that reaches out 450 meters. The spot is recommended for southwest to north winds. You can take courses and rent equipment at the wind and kitesurfing schools. Because of the sheltered location on the Wieker Bodden, the water is as smooth as iron.

    Read more: "Surfspot Wiek"
  • Beach, © TMV/Gohlke

    Surf Spot Ueckermünde (Stettiner Haff)

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17373 Ueckermünde

    This shallow water spot with the broad standing area is still a real sleeper. Optimal conditions dominate in northwest and southeast wind. Surfing is forbidden from May 15 to September 15. Then you can fall back on Bellin, which is only five kilometres away.

    Read more: "Surf Spot Ueckermünde (Stettiner Haff)"
  • 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"

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