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

64 Ergebnisse
  • Boiensdorf surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 23974 Boiensdorf

    At the southern end of the Salzhaff, Boiensdorf offers you a 200-meter wide standing area when the wind blows from the west to the northeast. And perfect smooth water for practicing and tricks is on top.

    Read more: "Boiensdorf surf spot"
  • Schaprode surf spot

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18569 Schaprode

    With perfect flat water and a gigantic standing area, Schaprode is made for refining your style under laboratory conditions. But stay away from the fairway! You are not allowed to kite at this creamy spot for nature conservation reasons. Optimal conditions are provided by winds from southwest to northwest.

    Read more: "Schaprode surf spot"
  • 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)"
  • Kitesurfing on Ummanz in front of Suhrendorf, © TMV/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"
  • © surflocal.de

    Surfspot Groß Banzelvitz

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18528 Groß Banzelvitz

    With northeast to south winds, beginners will find smooth water, a wide standing area and a meadow for relaxed set-up. Since the spot is only very small and therefore quickly overcrowded, inquire beforehand at the local surf school about the conditions.

    Read more: "Surfspot Groß Banzelvitz"
  • Beach Sommersdorf

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17111 Sommersdorf

    On the western shore of Lake Kummerow, a wide sandy beach, several swimming bays and usually a light breeze await you. From here you can enjoy breathtaking sunsets.

    Read more: "Beach Sommersdorf"
  • Surfspot Lütow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17440 Lütow

    The small amount of space makes Lütow a pure windsurfing spot. The spot works especially well with wind from south to northwest directions.

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

    Surfspot Lubmin

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17509 Lubmin

    Baltic Sea flair at the Bodden. The fine sandy beach, the large standing area and small but fine waves in southwest to northeast wind make Lubmin a real alternative for wave beginners.

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

    Surfspot Heiligendamm

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18209 Heiligendamm

    White villas and blue sea - in Germany's oldest Baltic resort you can surf against an intoxicating backdrop. You can enjoy the view in a particularly relaxed way with sideshore winds from the west and east-northeast.

    Read more: "Surfspot Heiligendamm"

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