How an old water works hall in Berlin-Lichtenberg became Berlin’s first standing wave. Construction, topping-out ceremony, first wave and opening in 2019.
A water works hall becomes a surf hall
Before the first wave ran at Wellenwerk, an old hall belonging to the Berlin waterworks stood at Landsberger Allee 270 in Berlin-Lichtenberg, empty, unused, but full of potential. This is exactly where seven friends from Berlin, united by one thing, a love of surfing, decided to build Berlin’s first standing wave. Instead of tearing the hall down and building new, it was fully renovated: the old structure was preserved, and an extension was added, built mostly from wood.
This exact approach, renovate instead of demolish, wood instead of concrete wherever possible, was part of the concept from the very start, not added on afterward: the hall still runs today on CO2-neutral green electricity from hydropower and its own heat recovery system, which captures the energy generated while the wave runs and uses it to heat the hall and the water. You can read more about the team and the values behind Wellenwerk on the About Us page.
Summer 2019: the citywave takes shape
By late July 2019, Wellenwerk was in the middle of the final construction phase. The centerpiece of the build was installing the citywave, the actual wave system, which the team described at the time as happening “at full speed and full power.” Ventilation systems were already in place by then, and the restrooms and changing rooms were nearing completion.
A month later, in late August 2019, the citywave was fully installed. In parallel, the final woodwork on the pool deck was underway, and the first test runs of the wave were just around the corner. At the same time, the team coordinated with Berlin authorities on approving the wave, a requirement for a first partial opening.
Topping-out ceremony and the first meters on the wave
In late October 2019, Wellenwerk celebrated the topping-out ceremony for the timber extension, a milestone for the whole project, along with thanks to all the companies and trades that had helped build the facility.
Just a few days later, still in late October 2019, the moment finally came: the wave ran. After several weeks of test operation, the team moved into fine-tuning the technology and the final touches in the hall, the last step before opening.
November 22, 2019: opening day
On November 22, 2019, Wellenwerk officially opened its doors. Vouchers from the pre-sale could be redeemed right away, the first session slots were bookable, and anyone dropping by spontaneously could often grab an open slot without booking ahead. The empty water works hall had become Berlin’s first standing wave.
A lot has happened at Wellenwerk since the opening: from sessions for every level to courses and coaching to team events and company parties, more milestones from the years since will follow as the team confirms them. One thing is certain: since opening, Wellenwerk has also hosted the German Championship in indoor surfing, more on that in the article German Championship on the standing wave.
The Wellenwerk story today
Anyone walking through the hall on Landsberger Allee today can barely see anything of the old water works hall, and yet it lives on in every beam and every wall. What seven founders started as an idea is today a place where, every day, people take their first steps on a surfboard, train at a professional level, or simply spend a memorable day. And the site keeps growing: since June 2025 it also has its own surfskate bowl, surfing on four wheels, with taster courses and rental boards available on site.
Want to get on the wave that first ran in 2019 yourself? You’ll find all sessions and levels on the Indoor Surfing page.
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