/ From Germany to the Middle East and China, surf parks are in full swing /

Surfing has arrived in Germany. After 6 years of imagining it and 7 months of development, last August marked the official opening of the O₂ SURFTOWN MUC, Germany’s first and Europe’s largest surf park.

The project seemed like a wild dream at the beginning. “Surfing in Germany – without the sea? That sounded like science fiction to many,” says Chris Boehm-Tettelbach, founder and CEO of O₂ SURFTOWN MUC. “All we had was the conviction that surfing is not just a sport, but a unifying lifestyle that everyone should experience.” Seven years later, that dream is a reality, and a huge destination for surf fans.

Located in Hallbergmoos, adjacent to Munich Airport, O₂ SURFTOWN MUC spans 20,000sqm and includes the Lookout restaurant, sunbathing areas, a roof terrace, a skate park, a panoramic walkway – and, of course the star of the show: the wave pool itself. Built by Myrtha Pools in partnership with Endless Surf, the pool boasts a length of 180m and an area that is over 50% larger than a standard football pitch, making it Europe’s largest wave pool. It features 4 distinct surf zones, each allowing up to 16 surfers at the same time, and each of which can be programmed with different kinds of waves: Endless Surf wave-making technology can produce waves from 0.5 to 2.1m tall, with different shapes, from gentle swells for beginners to powerful barrels and A-frame peaks for advanced surfers. The 4-zone setup allows surfers of any level to choose a zone that matches their skill level and desired wave type.

Truthful to surf’s environmental legacy, O₂ SURFTOWN MUC has been built with a huge commitment to sustainability: it has solar and wind power generation making it 80% self-sufficient in energy consumption, a closed-water system to minimize water waste, and a geothermal energy system for cooling and heating. But the biggest point of the new surf park is its ability to nurture and bring together the surfing community in Germany: “Our biggest wave isn’t the one in the pool,” said Boehm-Tettelbach. “It’s the community we’ve created here. People from different backgrounds come together here, united by their passion for surfing.”

The rise of surfing and surf parks

And passion for surfing is growing around the world. After it was confirmed as an Olympic sport in Paris 2024, surfing is emerging as one of the fastest-growing water sports globally. This in turn is bolstering surf parks, as the perfect answer for beginners and those who live far from the ocean, but also as training grounds for athletes that can choose the shape and size of the waves they train on. Thanks to ever-better technology, surf parks bring surfing closer to more people, making the sport more approachable, affordable, and perfect for a day out, no strings attached. Away from the coast, they can act as the perfect anchor around which to create other offers, like restaurants or leisure attractions, becoming a great alternative to other waterparks or spa parks.

Their success is evident in market data. According to consulting firm Hotel & Leisure Advisors, the global surf park market is projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2028, and the total number of open surf parks in the world will go from 36 to 76 in just a few years. 

The Middle East

Even more traditional areas like the Middle East are warming to the idea. Case in point: Surf Abu Dhabi opened in the United Arab Emirates at the end of October.

A partnership between the park’s developer and operator Modon Properties and Kelly Slater Wave Company wave technology specialists, Surf Abu Dhabi is located on Hudayriyat Island. It is the second surf lagoon in the UAE and Middle East (the first was Wadi Adventure, later renamed Al Ain Adventure, built in 2011), and it is touted as the most advanced man-made wave park yet, the world’s longest ride, the largest barrel and the highest man-made wave ever. The whole venue, which includes 2 restaurants, spans 75,000sqm, while the basin itself is 560m long, 3m deep and 85m wide at its widest point, with a W-shaped bottom that helps shape the 4 types of waves. It can accommodate up to 30 surfers at a time, and generate waves up to 3m tall.

Those looking for a fun day out in the blazing hot weather of the EAU will also appreciate the huge screen for entertainment and the floodlight system that allow the park to be used deep into the night. But one of the strongest points of Surf Abu Dhabi is the team of coaches available for beginners, who teach the basics on dry land and then in the wave pool. “It’s a lot easier to learn here because you don’t have that aspect of not knowing what the next wave is going to be, you can anticipate exactly when the wave is going to come,” said Gabriella Lailvaux, a South African surfer who is one of the coaches. “Plus, the wave is perfect every single time. You can really improve within an hour, which is something you might not see in the ocean because it’s always dependent on the conditions.”

Surfing mania is growing in Saudi Arabia too. In advancing its vision of becoming a top global destination for entertainment, the Kingdom is investing in unique attractions including surf parks. A prime example of this trend is the exclusive licensing agreement signed by FlowRider Inc. and Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) in 2024 to bring the Flow House brand to Saudi Arabia, and its entertainment venue concept of combining food, beverage and surfing entertainment. Three Flow House venues are currently under construction in Riyadh, Khabar and Jeddah. In the heart of each venue will be a “Flow Rider” surf simulator, which provides a safe and enjoyable surfing experience for people of all ages. “It’s a new type of venue for the Saudi market, but one that international visitors already love,” said Damien Latham, Chief Attractions Officer at SEVEN. “I look forward to seeing both locals and tourists developing new skills on the waves and sharing the experience with their family and friends.”

Still in Saudi Arabia, Aquarabia, the country’s first water theme park and the largest in the region, is also set to make waves with “Surftopia”, the first surf pool in the country, which will be powered by Endless Surf’s technology. With 4 customizable wave types for all skill levels, including beginners and pros, it will allow users to learn, practice, and enjoy surfing. “Surf is rapidly expanding global sport with over 25 million surfers worldwide. We’re excited to introduce it to the people of Saudi,” commented Jamie Charlesworth, MD, Middle East of Whitewater. “Our technology is poised to empower surfers to push the boundaries of their skills, while also offering a showcase for spectators as they watch the true spectacle of surfing from the many views surrounding the surf lagoon in the water theme park.”

A major project is underway also in Bahrain. The Kingdom’s real estate investment company Edamah and GFH Financial Group have announced a surf park set to open next year as part of the Bilaj Al Jazayer mixed-used development, a 1.3-million-square-meter project comprising hotels, residences, retail and F&B areas on the country’s southwestern coast.

The park, called Bahrain Surf Park-Club Hawaii Experience, will use Wavegarden Cove artificial wave generation technology, and in addition to the surf lagoon with up to 1,000 waves per hour, the development will feature a surf school, beach bar, restaurants, a skate park, retail stores, event spaces and a panoramic terrace. It will be a major tourism draw, attracting around 300,000 visitors per year and becoming an amazing beach destination for people from the entire area, travelling surfers and tourists alike. 

China

When talking about new markets for the surfing and surf park industry, we cannot fail to mention China. The country doesn’t have the traditional surf and beach culture, but certainly has some good waves – mainly on Hainan Island, China’s southernmost point – and many surfing spots that are waiting to be found on its vast coastline with 14,500km of unexplored shore. The Chinese government itself is supporting financially and in terms of visibility the development of surfing as a sport among teens and kids. And the new generations, more open-minded, are very inclined to embrace the surf culture as something healthy and exciting. 

With all that said, it’s obvious that China’s potential is high for surf parks too. And it appears that the country’s first surf resort is coming soon with the recent announcement of the Riyue Bay Surf Resort. A partnership between American Wave Machines and state-owned China Tourism Group Corp., the development will be in the town of Wanning on the Island of Hainan (home of the Chinese National Surf Team) and will be powered by the California company’s PerfectSwell technology, which was first made famous at the BSR Surf Resort in Taco, Texas. 

In phase 1, the resort will include a surf-themed hotel with 132 rooms, a shopping district, a skate park, bars and restaurants, and a surf retail shop in addition to the surf pool. Phase 2 will expand the hotel and introduce additional lodging options. The project will target both international surfing enthusiasts and local beginners.

Continue reading Games & Parks Industry March 2025, page 22

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