SURF ERA

A team of entrepreneurs in Germany hope to bring a wave pool called SURF ERA to the Berlin area. The 15-acre (62,500 m²) facility centered around a 5-acre (2.25 hectare) wave pool will produce waves suitable for beginners, practicing professionals and everyone in between.

They are currently seeking crowdfunding on StartNext to finance their work, which is currently focused on detailed design and feasibility studies. If the plan is successful, SURF ERA would be the first sustainable, emission neutral and translucent-roofed surf park in the world.

They’ve narrowed the wave pool technology choice down to Wavegarden Cove and American Wave Machines. The SURF ERA team tested the prototype Cove at the the Wavegarden R&D center in the spring of 2019 and renderings from the team look similar to other Wavegarden Cove installations like The Wave in Bristol.

If the team goes with Cove technology, it’s a safe bet that the pool will create lefts, rights, and whitewater rollers for beginners. More advanced surfers can expect barrels, air sections and ripable walls. The waves would be generated every few seconds and the waves will run 2-6 feet high on the face of the wave.

The SURF ERA team is targeting relatively affordable prices: € 22.50 for a 1 hour session, € 32.50 for 2 hours and € 44.50 for an all day pass. With a retractable roof, SURF ERA would be open year-round.

SURF ERA’s design and dedication to environmental protection are notably unique. A translucent retractable roof will allow the customers to surf under the sun on nice days and provide protection from the cold German winters. The roof would 50m high, creating a new landmark visible from most of Berlin.

The team also intends to produce 100% of the power consumed by the facility with energy from renewable resources such as wind turbines, 7000 square meters of solar panels, and other technologies. They plan to use battery and chemical storage technology to store the energy they generate and use it when they need it.

The amenities around the pool will include restaurants, bars, accommodation, retail shops, and other recreational options like climbing walls and beach volleyball.

The SURF ERA team is currently exploring property options around Berlin and seeking funding via crowdfunding and other strategic investors. If they meet their crowdfunding goals, the money will be invested into the detailed project plans and surveys that all wave pools require.

The project is expected to cost €36 million ($40 million USD), so they’ve got a a long road of funding ahead. It’s not an easy or short road, but we’re rooting for them.