Munich’s surf park of the future
Munich, 19 May 2021: The path is clear for Germany’s first surf park, as the municipality of Hallbergmoos has officially approved development plans for SURFTOWN® MUC. Adding on to Munich’s surf scene surrounding the world-famous Eisbach river wave, SURFTOWN MUC will offer authentic running waves that can be generated every 10 seconds for up to 180 meters, thanks an innovative surf pool technology called Endless Surf. To accompany the waves, the facility with include additional lifestyle amenities like fitness areas, food & beverage, surf & lifestyle retail, and lounge areas by the beach. The sports and leisure park in the immediate vicinity of the airport aims to appeal to all ages and surf skill levels, from professionals to newcomers. The focus is set on creating an atmosphere that promote the fun of the sport and offer an authentic surf and lifestyle experience for everyone. Breaking ground later this year, waves are expected to be pumping by 2023.
This project is a showcase for inland surf by bringing a world class wave to an enthusiastic local surf community in a landlocked location. The venue will become a major attraction for Munich, with breaking waves visible as planes land.” -Baptiste Caulonque Chief Commercial Officer, Endless Surf
The surf capital of Germany
With a surf community that is already quite strong, thanks to the Eisbach wave, the addition of a world-class surf pool is no surprise. Enhancing this vibrant surf culture will only further Munich’s reputation as the surf capital of Germany and make it a novelty surf destination within Europe. The Munich surf experience will be unrivaled with both a standing wave and a surf park that will offer an almost endless variety of waves types from thrilling barrels to mellow longboard waves and everything in between.
SURFTOWN® MUC Founder, Chris Boehm-Tettelbach, actually met his business partners, Conrad Albert and Michi Mohr, within Munich‘s surf scene. Together, they all bundled their respective competences (development, investment, and surf) for this mega project. “With our different biographies, we complement each other perfectly,” says Chris Boehm-Tettelbach.
Riding the green wave with SURFTOWN® MUC
Chris also notes their drive toward making the venue a more sustainable surf park. “Besides the fun of surfing, we are also united by the absolute conviction that a project like SURFTOWN® MUC can only be innovative if it is also designed to be sustainable and climate-neutral.”
Leading the charge in creating more sustainable surf parks, the Munich venue is set to source all electricity from renewable energy sources – 80 per cent even from the company’s own photovoltaic systems. When it comes to the surf pool, developed by Canadian company WhiteWater, Endless Surf uses a flexible pneumatic system (using a number of pressurized air chambers) to produce wave-making energy. Because of its flexibility, based on how you sequence the chambers, you can cater usage to pool capacity and conserve energy. Another factor to consider is that Germany’s approximately 2,500,000 active surfers currently have to fly around the world to ride meter-high waves, in the future they will find the infrastructure to do so just outside Munich.
A new landmark attraction for the world
President of WhiteWater ERA GMBH Rainer Maelzer, based from the European HQ in Munich, has been able to support the SURFTOWN team closely through the design phases of the development. “The design will result in a venue that has broad and year round appeal and a welcome addition to active leisure options in the region. I have to admit a little local pride to see these Endless Surf waves open here before Paris, we have the team ready to bring it to life!“ said Maelzer with a smile.
Located near Munich International Airport at Lilienthalstrasse 12 in Hallbergmoos, the venue will easily attract guests from all around the country and the globe. Not only will there be a unique view of surfing in Germany as you approach Munich, but above all the growing demand for sports and lifestyle experience will also be met.
“I am very pleased that we have found a location where the enthusiasm for our project is so fully shared. This is public-private partnership in the best sense” says Conrad Albert.
And the support and excitement from the municipality is apparent. Alexander Mademann, from the Hallbergmoos Municipality states:
From the very beginning, we quickly realized what a great and future-oriented project is being driven forward here. In the future, our community will have a lighthouse project that will shine far beyond the city and state borders.”
About SURFTOWN® MUC
With the SURFTOWN® MUC, a 20,000sqm artificial surfing facility is currently being built that is unique in Europe. Environmentally friendly and individually adjustable waves through pressure conversion will offer professionals and beginners a unique sport, training and leisure experience from the opening in 2023. The entire system of the facility is designed to be CO2-neutral. At the same time, all electricity will be generated from renewable energy sources – 80 percent even from the facility’s own photovoltaic systems. The surf park in the immediate vicinity of the airport will also serve as a place to relax with its sunbathing areas and lounge areas in the outdoor area. Construction work is scheduled to begin in autumn 2021.
About Endless Surf and WhiteWater
Endless Surf brings the next generation of powerful, efficient and customizable waves for guaranteed stoke; backed by four decades of WhiteWater’s expertise in aquatic engineering and experience design. WhiteWater built its first surf pool in 1989 and it still operates today. Endless Surf takes that heritage and with expert wave designers enhanced the reliable pneumatic technology to create Endless rolling sets, designed for operational ease, flexibility, high capacity, and above all else, safety. Endless Surf provides iconic inland surfing that will draw guests of all ages to surf parks; and WhiteWater brings developers the comfort of a proven track record designing experiences which keep guests onsite and drive ROI.
WhiteWater’s market leader reputation is based on a dedication to making products that operators can count on, because we understand the importance of lasting quality, stringent safety and reliability on the bottom line. From the Surf Concierge at front of house system to the Wave Doctor wave programming technology, we’ve thought of ways to help make Surf Parks run smoothly and deliver an exceptional experience people will want to share.
Find out more at www.endlesssurf.com and www.whitewaterwest.com
