The theory exam for the VDWS Basic Certificate consists of a total of 25 questions, which candidates have 60 minutes to answer. A total of 50 marks are available; the exam is passed with a score of 37 or more (if you score 30 or fewer, you still have a second chance via an oral resit). Together with the VDWS, we have provided you with six original questions to test your knowledge:
Do you still remember everything?
If not, you’re not alone. Many water sports enthusiasts only realise, years after obtaining their basic licence, just how much of what they learnt has been forgotten over time.
The good news is that it’s much easier to refresh your knowledge these days than it used to be. With the VDWS Academy, theory, rules and safety principles are available at any time – interactively, on the go and always up to date.
You can easily register for the Academy via the VDWS website. You can obtain the required 10-digit workbook code from a VDWS water sports school of your choice. There, you can enquire about the relevant course, including the workbook code – and get started with digital learning straight away. So this short self-test might just be the first step back into learning.
Why a licence is more than just a piece of paper
A VDWS licence doesn’t simply mark the end of your training – it brings tangible benefits that extend beyond the course itself. In many water sports centres, it is a prerequisite for using up-to-date, high-quality equipment. At the same time, it serves as recognised proof of one’s own abilities – an aspect that is becoming increasingly important, particularly abroad, as rules of conduct and access requirements are being monitored more strictly at many locations.
Furthermore, the licence provides clear guidance on your own progress. It makes your skills comparable and transparent – both to yourself and within the water sports community. And last but not least, it is a standard part of any professional training programme: as a visible qualification and as a stepping stone to further development in the sport.
From print to digital learning – the VDWS Academy
In the past, the workbook was simply a natural part of the training. Leafing through it, highlighting passages, learning – often alongside the course or right there in the classroom. This approach still works today. But it’s now being supported.
The VDWS Academy has significantly expanded the scope of theoretical training: content is no longer simply read, but actively worked through.
- Structured learning modules
- Integrated quizzes for immediate self-assessment
- Explanatory videos for complex topics
- Optimised for mobile – accessible at any time
- Available in German and English
The key difference lies not so much in the ‘digital’ aspect itself, but in the way learning takes place: it is more interactive, more flexible and even more closely linked to real-world practice. At the same time, the workbook remains an important component. It is not being replaced, but will continue to be available alongside the digital resources – for anyone who prefers to learn using traditional methods or likes to have something physical in their hands.
“You’ve always got the knowledge to hand”
"The Academy is the perfect complement to our training. The content is available at any time and can be revisited even after the course has finished – many people use it to brush up on their skills before their next holiday. This gives them greater confidence and a better understanding of what to do on the water." (Deborah Müller, windsurfing instructor, VDWS windsurfing teaching team coordinator)
A look inside the VDWS Academy
One association, many disciplines – one learning platform
For many years, the Association of German Water Sports Schools (VDWS) has been synonymous with structured training and uniform standards in water sports – and has issued over two million basic certificates since its foundation in 1974. Today, this structure is also reflected in the digital sphere: all VDWS sports are featured in the Academy and available online
- Windsurfing
- Kitesurfing
- Wing foiling
- Catamaran
- dinghy
- Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)
The junior exams are a deliberate exception. Here, the focus remains clearly on practical, age-appropriate learning – without any additional screen time. This creates a seamless learning environment for everyone else – regardless of which discipline they start with or go on to study later.
Study before your holiday – surf whilst on holiday
This has also changed the way people get started in water sports. What used to often only begin once you arrived at the venue can now be started from home:
- Get in touch with the VDWS school
- Book the basic course, including the licence
- Gain access to the Academy
- Work through the theory flexibly in advance
- Get started straight away at the surgery
The effect is clear: less time in the classroom, more time on the water – and a much more structured introduction.
Curious? Find the right VDWS school for your next holiday or one right on your doorstep – the school finder shows you all the locations at a glance.
Back to the original question
Would you still pass your basic licence exam today?
Perhaps. Perhaps with a few gaps.
And that’s exactly the point.
Modern learning formats make it easier than ever not only to acquire knowledge once, but also to keep it accessible in the long term – before the course, afterwards and time and again in between.
Or, to put it simply: on the way to your next holiday.
Do you already have a VDWS licence? Register it on Checkpoint and get digital access. That way, you’ll always have your licence to hand – and it can’t get lost.