What is the VDWS?
The VDWS (Verband Deutscher Wassersport Schulen e.V., the German Association of Water Sports Schools) is the umbrella organisation for water sports schools, with more than 540 stations in around 30 countries. It trains instructors, sets curricula and quality standards, and issues licences for kitesurfing, windsurfing, wing foiling, sailing and SUP.
We are a VDWS member school and teach to its curriculum. For you this means that what you learn with us is recognised at every other VDWS station.
The kite licence and its levels
The VDWS kite licence is your personal kite certificate with its own licence number. Your instructor confirms and records every level you pass. You can find the licence online in your VDWS profile and also order it as a card.
- Level 1: safety basics, setting up, launching and flying the kite
- Level 2: steering the kite safely, body drag and relaunch (getting the kite back up from the water)
- Level 3: water start and first short rides
- Level 4: riding with changes of direction, holding your ground, basic jibe
- Level 5: riding upwind: you get back to where you started
- Level 6: first jumps, carved jibes or jump transitions
- Level 7: rotations or kiteloops, grabs, one foot, board-off, railey
There is also a theory part covering wind, right-of-way rules and safety, which we prepare with you during the course. Level 5 plus the theory gives you the full basic licence.
What do you need the licence for?
- Renting gear: many stations worldwide only rent kites with proof of your level, usually from level 3 to 5 depending on the station. The licence shows your skills in seconds.
- Learning at another station: your next instructor sees straight away where you are. You do not start from zero or pay for hours on things you can already do.
- Supervised kiting: for offers like our Help 2 Kite (around level 4–5) the licence is the easiest proof.
- Proof on site: at some spots, authorities or clubs ask for proof of training. The card documents your course.
- Your progress at a glance: the levels show you what comes next and make every step tangible.
Why in your beginner course?
The licence is worth it most when you get it in your very first course. Your instructor sees what you can do every day anyway and records each level as soon as you reach it. Later, at a station that does not know you, you often have to show your skills in a check session first, and that costs extra.
In a 3 to 5 day beginner course, most people reach level 2 to 3 depending on wind and practice, and some already reach level 4. Everything after that grows with you: on your next holiday, with Help 2 Kite or in an improver course. How long it takes to ride independently is explained in our guide learning to kitesurf.
The licence with us: cost and Stepflat
- One-off €50 on top of your course, including theory and recording your levels.
- Stepflat: if you got your licence with us, we record every further level for life at no cost as soon as you reach it with us. Whether next year or in ten years.
- Easy to book: just tell us in your enquiry that you want the licence. We take care of the rest during the course.
All course types and prices are under lessons.
Well covered: the VDWS SafetyTool
The VDWS SafetyTool is an annual insurance for water sports. According to the VDWS it covers damage to rented gear up to €2,000 (€50 deductible), plus liability and accident insurance, for €39 a year plus VAT. SafetyTool PLUS also covers your own gear and your family.
Especially if you rent gear after your course, we recommend taking out the SafetyTool beforehand. We are happy to explain what it covers.
