A prerequisite for cooperation is that the training of students and instructors is carried out by instructors with relevant watersport experience. Training and examination contents are compared with the corresponding VDWS training to decide whether and to what extent the association recognizes the training and a cooperation agreement is concluded. Accordingly, contents and examinations can be transferred to instructors or recognized. 

• Target Audience: Faculties of Exercise Science

• Prerequisites: Methodical-didactical previous experience through teaching as well as sufficient practice in the respective sport

• Examinations: Practice and theory within the framework of the university course

• Duration: Varies - adapted to the university curriculum

• Special features: Online day with VDWS specific content for final recognition

VDWS Specialty Courses for participants with methodological and didactic experience are aimed at all target groups with a pedagogical background.

• Target Audience: Athletic Trainers, Instructors, Students majoring in Physical Education or Education, ADH/University Athletics, Public/Private School Teachers
• Prerequisites: Previous methodological and didactic experience in teaching as well as sufficient practice in the respective sport
• Examinations: As for the normal VDWS instructor course by VDWS instructors
• Duration: Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Sailing, Wingboarding: 6 days / SUP 3 days

An excursion for students with previous watersport experience can be recognized as instructor training if it takes place at a VDWS school and is accompanied by a VDWS instructor. The instructor is the link between the club and the school. Under these conditions a reduction of the course fee is possible.

• Target Audience: Faculty of Exercise Science or University Sport
• Prerequisites: Previous experience through 1 field trip or equivalent.
• Examinations: During the excursion - the VDWS criteria must be fulfilled.
• Duration:
  •  Sports science: Reduction to 6 days (Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Sailing, Wingboarding) or 3 days (SUP)
  • University sports: Reduction - depending on previous experience - to 6 - 7 days (windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, wingboarding) or 3 - 3.5 days (SUP)

Together with our partner, the Natursport Akademie, we want to promote an exchange of interests and an easy introduction to nature sports on and off the water.

About the Natursport Akademie

The Natursport Akademie (NAka) represents the interests of nature sports instructors in a commercial, professional environment. It connects a network of associations, organizations, universities, ministries and authorities.

The Nature Sports Academy pursues the following goals:

• Networking seasonal nature sports offers in order to position nature sports as a year-round offer
• Consistently high quality standards in the training and further education of all nature sports instructors in all disciplines
• Training and further education in the area of “teaching sustainable outdoor sports” adapted to all disciplines
• Respectful use of all resources in the area of nature and the environment
• “Growing together as a team” Development of seasonal nature sports schools into a year-round company
• Sustainable action (ecological, social, economic) of the Nature Sports Academy and its competence and strategy partners.

Find out more about the Natursport Akademie here.

• Target Group: Association/club coaches
• Prerequisites: Previous methodological and didactic experience in teaching, as well as sufficient practice in the respective sport
• Examinations: Same as for the normal VDWS instructor course
• Duration: Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Sailing, Wingboarding: 6 days. SUP 3 days
• Formalities after the course: first aid, lifeguard, motorboat confirmation, etc.
• Internship waived or shortened: Possible under certain conditions

This course is designed for teachers with or without previous experience in teaching aquatics. Practical basics will be introduced and first insights into teaching the sport and organizing class trips with a water sports program will be offered. The goal is to enable teachers to organize a class trip in cooperation with a VDWS water sports school and to take over parts of the course themselves. A certificate of participation will be issued by the VDWS. The training can be carried out in cooperation with the ministry of the respective federal state, so that it can be officially recognized.

• Target Audience: Public and private school teachers/student teachers
• Prerequisites: No admission restrictions
• Duration: 2 days

Teachers at public or private schools, who already teach a watersport at a high level, can qualify as VDWS instructors by attending a shortened special course. If the teaching test and the examination during the course are of a correspondingly high standard, the internship can be waived.

• Target Group: Teachers in public and private schools/Student teachers after the intermediate exam
• Prerequisites: Previous methodological and didactic experience in teaching, as well as sufficient practice in the relevant sport
• Examinations: Same as for the normal VDWS instructor course
• Duration: Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Sailing, Wingboarding: 6 days. SUP 3 days
• Formalities after the course: first aid, lifeguard, "motorboat confirmation

Contacts in each state:

 Contact person Nordrhein-Westfalen:
Jörn Kappenstein
Telefon: +31-525-682212 oder +49-234-41482141
E-Mail: info@--no-spam--lifetime-sport.com
Website: https://www.lifetime-sport.com/angebote/fortbildung-wassersport-lehrer-referendare/

Contact person Mecklenburg-Vorpommern:
Florian Krämer
Telefon: +49- 1797573058
Email: fkraemer@--no-spam--vdws.de
Website: https://www.ruegen-piraten.de/fortbildungen/

Contact person Brandenburg:
Aaron Backhaus
Telefon: 0170/4147775
Email: a.backhaus@--no-spam--teamgeist.com

Contact person Niedersachsen:
Axel Meyer
Telefon: 0176/20003334
Email: meyer@--no-spam--gaussschule-bs.de