May we introduce: Laura from Switzerland! In a short time, she celebrated massive successes on the water and stepped on the gas - yes, we were impressed. Her impressions and experiences after the kitecamp in the following interview.
Kitesurfing for the Deaf with LakeUnited - Interview
LakeUnited: One week of kitecamp. Something completely new for us and of course you too. Laura, how did you experience in Denmark this week?
Laura: A lot of adrenaline on the water. The concept of the camp with kiting and the social exchange between instructors and participants, i.e. the experience together was very positive. A great experience to take with you. My experience with bad instructors last year was more than offset by the LakeUnited concept. Everyone was enthusiastic about kiting. I was stoked!
LakeUnited: Was there anything that was difficult for you?
Laura: Difficult? ... mhm ... I think the difficult thing for me was more the Austrian sign language. There are also language barriers for the deaf. I was the only one from Switzerland and I was not familiar with the Viennese sign language.
The speed and dialect were not easy for me to understand, but there is something nice about this cultural sign language, it has the diversity like all other languages. For this I was able to get to know new signs and to expand my sign language vocabulary. Do you still know the gesture for "Oida"?
LakeUnited: Were there any fears you had in advance?
Laura: I had no fears. I knew I would be in good hands and the safety rules were communicated clearly and understandably. Even before the camp, I was sure that my questions about handling the kite and “safety handling” would be answered.
I had some respect for the cold water. I was surprised that I could somehow overcome this challenge as "Gfröörli".
LakeUnited: You made extreme progress in kiting and learned really quickly. How were the hours on the kite for you?
Laura: Those were the most adventurous hours that I was able to experience on the water! The spot around Ringkobing in Denmark challenges you. Kitesurfing in shallow water in the vicinity of the Danish "Hygge" nature. Feel the power of nature and the differences between the moments of the sun and pouring rain. Wind, sometimes kiting in the fog. Adjusting the kite control and riding style at the same time was a challenge and pure experience. I loved this combination!
LakeUnited: What was it like to only speak sign language for a week? Is that really rare?
Laura: In a sport in which passion and joy can be lived and there are no additional language barriers, i.e. you fully understand the instructions and information, make a lot of fun, which you can also share. Kiting with each other, enjoying sports and exchanging ideas (without communication barriers) is very rare.
There is a feeling of togetherness and not a feeling of being excluded. I hope that such experiences are no longer so rare.
LakeUnited: What did you particularly like?
Laura: That bridges for communication have been created for us !!
LakeUnited: What did you not expect? Or did something surprise you?
Laura: I was surprised by the water conditions: the shallow water, so smooth and that you can kite “endlessly”. You feel safe there. I was surprised by how quickly I could understand and practice kiting. I think it was because I felt a lot of motivation from you. You give me confidence that I can do it. You have a strong sense of where the participants stand and what you can trust them to do.
I was also surprised by the courage that you as LakeUnited just tried this camp. So open, to be spontaneous about new things, but also to remain creative and to have visually engaged in this project.You are just super cool! Many could take a leaf out of your book!
LakeUnited: How did you like living together in the common house?
Laura: That was pure hygge. Especially the mutual understanding and the support with words and gestures was very nice. There are few opportunities where two (conversation) cultures can meet and get along with each other without prejudice.
LakeUnited: Is there something else you really want to share?
Laura: The LakeUnited team dismantled the barriers between the hearing and the deaf because we all were enthusiastic about kiting. The fear of contact was quickly resolved from the beginning, or it did not exist. And thus LakeUnited contributes significantly to the acceptance between the culture of the deaf and the hearing society.
And, dear Deaf: Take the chance to learn kiting and maybe you will develop to the extent that you will become a kite instructors yourselves!
LakeUnited: So will we see you in Denmark again in 2020?
Laura:I would love to be there again. Unfortunately I'm going to do an internship next August and can't take a vacation. I am currently studying physiotherapy. But I will take part in other LakeUnited camps because I am convinced that the exchange between hearing and deaf people builds bridges. Because WE kite together, that connects us and we share the joy of it. Getting to know other people is enriching for me. And who knows, maybe there will be more than just a kite camp for the deaf in August, but also every year. That's why I say: see you soon!
LakeUnited: What would you recommend to someone who is considering joining?
Laura: In the camp you have the chance to get the understanding of kiting and get communication needs tailored to us. This way you can achieve your skills faster. The instructors take TIME for communication and you feel perceived. One needs to understand less energy and is not excluded. We meet at "eye level", these are positive experiences that you take with you into everyday life. There are also no uncertainties in the behavior between hearing and deaf people. Many deaf know the “fight for communication”. I therefore want to motivate all deaf not to give up and e.g. to learn in this camp that there are other ways that we can gratefully accept and appreciate.