Surf parks: Surfing without the sea – these are the best waves away from the coast

Surfing is no longer confined to the seaside. Whether on legendary river waves like the Eisbach wave or in modern wave parks, artificial waves offer plenty of surfing action right in the heart of the country. Each wave has its own character: some, like the legendary Eisbach wave, are permanent, whilst others roll in almost like real ocean waves. The choice of board and technique also varies depending on the type of wave. It is precisely this diversity that makes artificial surf spots so exciting – for beginners as well as experienced surfers. Here we show you where you can get out on the water to surf away from the coast:

O2 Surftown Munich – Germany’s largest artificial wave

​O2 SURFTOWN MUC is Germany’s largest surf park and offers long, artificial waves near Munich for everyone from beginners to pros. The waves can be shaped to suit your needs – depending on your level, you can book a beginner’s wave, an intermediate session or a chance to try a tube ride. Surf lessons and equipment hire are also available on site.

Wellenwerk Berlin

​Wellenwerk – Berlin is the capital’s first indoor surfing facility and features a stationary artificial wave, meaning that the water flows whilst you surf “on the spot”. Here, too, different time slots are available, depending on whether you’re a beginner or a semi-pro.

Hasewelle Osnabrück Citywave facility

Hasewelle Osnabrück is a popular Citywave facility in northern Germany, offering a stationary artificial wave for beginners and experienced surfers alike. Where else can you hop on a board whilst out shopping?

RheinRiff Düsseldorf Indoor Citywave

​RheinRiff Düsseldorf is one of Germany’s most modern indoor surfing facilities and features a nine-metre-wide Citywave right in the heart of Düsseldorf. Surfing lessons and sessions for all ability levels are also available here.

Jochen Schweizer Arena, Munich

Munich again! The Jochen Schweizer Arena is one of Germany’s best-known indoor surf waves and allows for year-round surfing, whatever the weather.

Surf Langenfeld

​Surf Langenfeld is one of Germany’s best-known artificial surf waves and is a popular meeting place for the surfing community in the west. Langenfeld is situated between Cologne and Düsseldorf in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Eisbach Munich & E2

Europe’s most famous river wave! It’s really a must-visit spot for any river surfer. Very fast and not really suitable for beginners. What’s more, there are usually lots of locals in the water here, so it’s best to head first to the Floßlände or the E2 entry point, which is also located not far downstream in the English Garden.

Raft landing stage, Munich

Anyone looking to give river surfing a go will find, a little way upstream from the legendary Eisbach wave, the Raft landing stage a much easier spot to practise in. The wave here is less steep and smaller, so you can ride your first river waves in relative comfort on larger boards.

Enercity Leinewelle, Hanover

One of Germany’s newest and best-known urban radio stations is based in Hanover – the rope shaft. A hydraulically controlled system has been installed in the Leine river here, which can be used to shape the current. The spot is often described as the North German counterpart to Munich’s Eisbach.

Augsburg Surf Wave

​Not quite as well known as the Eisbach wave in Munich or the Leine wave in Hanover – but almost! Augsburg has also made a name for itself on the river surfing scene. The artificial river wave on the Senkelbach attracts both beginners and experienced surfers alike and is considered one of the most exciting river surfing spots in Germany.

Alaia Bay – Sion

The artificial waves at Alaia Bay are at least as impressive as the mountain panorama of the Swiss Alps. Several hundred waves of varying sizes and shapes can be artificially generated here in the space of an hour. The park offers waves for beginners as well as perfect lines for experts, and there’s everything your heart desires on site – from a surf shop and surf school to dining options.

Planned projects – this is where new surfing waves could be created

Stade

A large surf park featuring artificial, standing waves is planned for Stade. Construction has not yet begun due to legal delays; a realistic timeframe is likely to be from 2026 onwards, with completion expected by the end of the 2020s.

Krefeld

Attention surfers in North Rhine-Westphalia: there’s a big Surfpark Resort In the planning stage. Thanks to the patented “Wave Garden” technology, these continuous left- and right-hand waves will resemble the breaks found in surf spots such as Alaia Bay in Switzerland. Expected opening: 2028.

Hamburg

​In Hamburg’s fishing port, the so-called “Floating Wave” is set to be created: an artificial wave within a kind of floating pontoon for surfers of all ability levels. A leisure area with restaurants, terraces and fitness facilities is planned around the surf wave, offering views of the Elbe and the Port of Hamburg. The aim is to transform the previously derelict harbour area into a year-round destination.

Werne

In Werne, in the Ruhr region, a centre for surfing, leisure and science is to be built on a former coal mine site under the name SURFWRLD & SCNCWAVE is being developed. The artificial wave is expected to reach a height of over two metres, including barrels, and is set to become the world’s largest surf park. According to those in charge, the facility planned for Werne will utilise a new, efficient wave-generation technology that is currently in the process of being patented. Attached to the surf park will be the SCNCWAVE research centre, which is intended to open up new avenues for research and development in the fields of hydrodynamics, maritime technology and renewable energy.