Indoor Surfing in Berlin: what to expect at your first surf session at Wellenwerk

Surfing in the middle of Berlin: is that really possible?

Yes, really. Right in the middle of Lichtenberg, just a few tram stops from Alexanderplatz, there’s a real, standing wave, and you can surf it, even if you’ve never stood on a board before. Indoor surfing in Berlin means, at our place, Wellenwerk: water at a constant 27 °C all year round, a coach right next to you, and a wave that isn’t moody like the ocean, it runs constantly whenever the hall is open. No waiting for the right wind direction, no trip to the coast, no wetsuit against North Sea cold.

If you googled “indoor surfing Berlin” because you want to know what to expect at your first session, that’s exactly what this article is about. Honestly, no marketing talk: how the wave works, how your first appointment with us goes, what you really need to bring, and the most common worries before your first time.

And yes, “Berlin” and “surfing” sound like a contradiction at first, no ocean anywhere near, just the Spree and a few lakes. That’s exactly why Berlin’s only indoor surf wave is such a special case: you don’t have to drive to the coast, wait for wind, or hope that during your one week of vacation a surfable wave actually shows up. The wave at Wellenwerk runs when you show up, not the other way around. You’ll find everything about the facility on the Indoor Surfing page too.

The wave: what is a citywave and how does it feel?

The facility at Wellenwerk is a so-called citywave: a continuous, standing stream of water that creates a steady wave. Unlike at the ocean, you don’t wait for the next wave, the wave is simply there, for the whole session.

Standing wave vs. ocean wave: the difference in 30 seconds

At the ocean, the wave moves toward you and away again, you paddle, wait, miss waves. With a standing wave, it’s the other way around: the water flows constantly past one spot, you stay in place, and the wave stays under you. That sounds a bit unusual at first, but that’s exactly why it’s ideal for learning, you get constant conditions instead of chance, and your coach can correct you far more precisely because nothing changes due to currents or swell.

Numbers & facts

Water temperature: around 27 °C all year round, whether it’s summer or winter outside, the hall is open all year regardless of weather. Wave height and flow speed can be adjusted steplessly, which is why your very first attempt at standing and a pro-level trick can happen on the very same wave. Exact measurements to follow.

Step by step: how your first session goes

Arriving & changing

You arrive in regular clothes, everything you need for surfing you get on site. Changing rooms, showers and lockers are all there, a rental lycra suit and softboard are included in every session, and a helmet is available if needed. All you really need are swimwear and a towel. Nothing more. If you like, pack shower gel, flip-flops and your own lock for the locker too, nice to have, but not required.

It’s best to plan a bit of buffer time before your session: change, arrive, take a breath. Especially if it’s your first time, a relaxed start makes a big difference for how you go into the briefing.

Briefing & the first minutes with the support bar

Before you get in the water, there’s a short warm-up and a briefing: basic position, balance, how to hold yourself on the board. To get started, there’s a support bar at the pool edge, you hold on, find your balance, feel how the wave under you feels, before standing freely on the board for the first time. Your coach is right next to you the whole time.

A 60-minute session: how often are you actually on the board?

A session lasts around 60 minutes and runs in a group: you take turns on the wave with the other participants, while the coach supervises and corrects each person individually. Exact group size to follow. At the end there’s a video review of your best waves, handy for seeing what you’ve already learned in that one hour.

Falling is part of it

The biggest worry before a first session is rarely the technique, it’s the fear of embarrassing yourself. Honestly: falling is part of it, for pretty much everyone who stands on the wave for the first time. “Most people already ride their first turns in their very first session,” the team says, and the video reviews back that up. The water is soft, there’s no reef and no current to pull you away, and your coach stands right next to you. Falling into the water here isn’t a setback, it’s simply part of learning, and it’s usually the moment everyone in the group laughs together.

The most common questions before your first session

Do I need to know how to surf?

No. That’s exactly what the beginner session with a support bar is for, you don’t need any prior experience to take part.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes, you should have basic swimming ability. Everything else, balance, stance, technique, you learn in the session itself.

How fit do I need to be?

No special training beforehand is necessary. A session is physically demanding, but everyday fitness is completely sufficient; you’ll get an introductory video for orientation before the session.

What does indoor surfing in Berlin cost?

Prices vary depending on level and date. You’ll see current prices and open slots directly in the booking calendar. That way you always get today’s actual figure instead of an outdated number from an article.

What do I need to bring?

Swimwear and a towel. Board and lycra suit are included in every session.

How do I get there?

By tram, you reach Wellenwerk directly via lines M5, M6 and M8, stop Landsberger Allee. You’ll find more questions and answers about getting here, equipment and vouchers on the FAQ page.

There are also clear rules for surfing with kids: from a minimum weight of 30 kg (kids sessions from around 6 years old), even the smallest can join in, more on that on the kids surfing page.

Is indoor surfing worth it? An honest verdict

If you want to know what surfing feels like without flying to the coast for it, or if you just want to try something completely new, indoor surfing in Berlin is almost always worth it. It’s ideal for anyone who’s curious, isn’t afraid of getting wet, and wants an hour of full focus on one thing: as long as you’re standing on the board, you’re guaranteed to be thinking about nothing else. It’s also a great alternative to yet another round of bowling or an escape room for your next big birthday, you rarely get more of an adrenaline rush for an hour anywhere else in Berlin.

It’s less ideal if you’re looking for a calm, passive activity, nobody stands still for long on the wave, and there’s no way to leave here without wet hair.

And if you’re already convinced yourself, but want to make someone else happy right now: a surf session also makes a wonderful gift. With a voucher for Wellenwerk, you pass on exactly that “I just gave it a try” experience.

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