A standing wave, steplessly adjustable height, 27 °C all year round: here’s how the citywave technology at Wellenwerk Berlin works, explained simply.
A wave that doesn’t come and go, it’s simply there
At the ocean, you wait for the next wave: it builds up, you paddle, it breaks, it’s gone again. With a citywave, like the one running at Wellenwerk, the principle is reversed. Instead of a wall of water moving toward you, a continuous stream of water flows constantly past one fixed spot, you stay in place, and the wave stays under you for as long as you surf. That’s why it’s called a “standing wave.”
Technically, this effect is created by pumping water at high volume over a shaped surface. The flow creates a steady wave that you surf just like on the open ocean, only in reverse, and without tides, current direction or swell constantly changing.
Height and speed can be adjusted steplessly
What makes the citywave technology special: flow speed and wave height can be adjusted steplessly to match the level in question. That’s exactly why the very first attempt at standing with a support bar and training for the German Championship in rapid surfing happen on one and the same facility. For beginners, the wave runs slower and flatter, for advanced surfers and pros it rises to around 1.5 m in height. Plenty of room for turns, airs and tricks that transfer directly to ocean waves.
The wave is just under nine meters wide. Details like the exact flow rate to follow.
27 °C, all year round, regardless of weather
One reason indoor surfing at Wellenwerk works regardless of season: the water temperature stays constant at around 27 °C, whether it’s summer or winter outside. That means the hall is open all year, without you having to rely on wind, water temperature or swell. You can read more about what that feels like during your first session in the article What to expect at your first surf session.
Run sustainably, not just built sustainably
The technology behind the wave needs energy, a lot of energy, to keep water continuously moving and at the right temperature. At Wellenwerk, this operation runs on CO2-neutral green electricity from hydropower. On top of that, an in-house heat recovery system ensures that the energy generated while the wave runs isn’t lost, but recovered to heat the hall and the water. You can find out more about the hall itself and its construction history in the article From water works hall to wave.
Why this matters to you as a surfer
For you, the technology behind the citywave mainly means one thing: predictable, constant conditions. No waiting for the right wind direction, no missed wave, no cold North Sea, just a wave that runs when you show up, at the height that matches your level. You’ll find an overview of all sessions and levels on the Indoor Surfing page.
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