AllWaves inks contract for wave pool in Germany
The first AllWaves public wave pool will be located in Germany, the company announced this week after an agreement was made between AllWaves and Stoke GmbH. This is the first of many Stoke surf resorts planned by both parties. The site for the new wave pool is just four hours north of Munich in Leipzig.
Stoke CEO Mike Berus said Leipzig’s Neuseenland district has long been known as a mining region and today efforts are underway to transition to nature-based tourism and water sports. The proposed surf park is part of that transformation.
“The wave pool technology by AllWaves looks like a natural lake and blends perfectly in the area’s environment, which features multiple lakes around the city of Leipzig,” said Stoke CEO Mike Berus, who grew up in the area. “We are putting the Neuseenland District on the worldwide map of surfing.”
Located in the state of Saxony, Leipzig is the eigth largest city in Germany. The reunification of Germany roughly 30 years ago initially led to economic decline in Leipzig, characterized by the collapse of its heavily polluting industries. However, by the early 2000s, the city began to transform, experiencing significant urban and economic revitalization, along with modernization of its transport infrastructure.
In September 2024, Stoke reached an important milestone by presenting comprehensive planning documents to various offices and authorities. Stoke added that the site will boost the local economy by creating new jobs, attract high-quality tourism geared towards outdoor enthusiasts, and enhance the well-being of the local community by providing a unique recreational space. Construction could start as early as 2026.
Meanwhile, the AllWaves wave pool technology is being demonstrated at the company’s R&D site in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, where wave pool and project developers can witness it firsthand.
Designed to be safe, natural in look and feel, energy-efficient, and financially accessible, AllWaves features a proprietary pillow technology that mimics the movement of ocean waves, with customizable waves to delight surfers of every ability.
“I’m thrilled to share this important milestone,” said Steven Nauwelaerts, AllWaves founder and CEO. “We are revolutionizing the surfing experience, allowing enthusiasts to surf close to home, without the unpredictability of ocean conditions. With a strong partner with a vision, like Stoke, the customer experience will be above & beyond.”
AllWaves says they have made significant strides in energy efficiency by leveraging advanced engineering and innovative design. The company states that their wave pools use significantly less energy than traditional models which makes them a more sustainable option for developers. The company’s technology is also designed to ensure safety.
“From beginners taking their first ride to seasoned pros chasing the perfect wave, our commitment to safety, combined with the versatility of our waves, makes AllWaves a preferred choice for a wide range of surfing facilities,” said Geert Nauwelaerts, co-founder & COO of AllWaves.
AllWaves uses an underwater textile system powered by exterior hydraulics. They call this machine the “wavemaker.” When the wavemaker pushes out waves they break along a reef on each side of the pool. This creates right and left point break waves down the length of the pool. A second reef is situated at the front of the main pool. It’s an A-frame reef and offers another two surf rides, this time along the width of the pool. This means that on every single wave generated, four surfers can enjoy a ride: two on the point (right and left, lengthways) and two on the A frame reef (right and left, widthways).
The heart of the technology is a high-tech textile pillow submerged in the centre of the pool. It is a soft structure without grids, nets, ropes, or other components – the membrane can be best compared to a bouncy castle but filled with water. Each section of the membrane can be adjusted to pull or push water. It’s these actions that create swell at the water’s surface. The hydraulic power system is in a dedicated room outside of the pool and can be maintained just like an ordinary hydraulic installation. AllWaves says that there are just a few parts under the membrane used to manipulate the textile.
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