There’s a reason David Bowie and Iggy Pop chose dour Berlin and not Munich when they went on a creative bender – grey cityscaps tend to shout art and angst much more than the Oktoberfest sport aesthetic of Bavaria’s capital Munich. So while Berlin earns the artier-than-thou cousin award for German cities, Munich could be considered the sporty fun-loving uncle who can never not do a cannonball into the family swimming pool. So it’s fitting that Germany’s first wave pool is here, smack dab in the center of Germany’s sport and fun zone.

When the city opened its wave pool in the summer of 2024, the world felt a seismic shift for the country’s surfing population. For the first time ever Deutschland’s stoked set do not have to drive or fly to Europe’s wave-rich shorelines for a session. Now, it’s your turn to take a drive or book a flight to the wave-rich zone adjacent Munich’s international airport.

With the 2024 German surf championships just run and done, let’s take a look at the wave offerings at o2 SURFTOWN MUC.

What wave settings does the Munich wave pool offer?

o2 SURFTOWN MUC features two distinct modes for wave generation: A-Frame mode and Point Break mode.

In A-Frame mode, waves break from the center of the pool, creating simultaneous rights and lefts. The waves can be adjusted to various levels (which we’ll explore below), accommodating both debutant and experienced surfers.

Point Break mode allows waves to run along the entire length of the pool by the wave generator. This mode enables rides of up to 18 seconds in the largest setting and provides different sections suitable for turns, barrels, and airs. Additionally, Point Break mode can be adjusted to produce more relaxed, long waves suitable for cruising or longboarding.

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First Timer wave setting

The first-timer surf session is intended for individuals aged 11 and older who want to learn the basics of surfing. Participants will receive professional coaching and all necessary surf equipment. The sessions emphasize safe handling of the surfboard, gliding in waves, and initial attempts at standing up on the board. No prior surfing experience needed.

Each session consists of a 45-minute briefing that covers theory and activation, followed by 60 minutes in the wave pool, and concludes with a 15-minute debriefing. The maximum group size is seven surfers per coach, with a total of 13 surfers allowed in each surf zone. The price for participation starts at 69 euros.

Participants will learn to paddle and catch white water waves, make simple take-off attempts, adopt a basic surfing stance, and navigate white water waves. Before booking, participants should ensure they meet specific preconditions: no prior surfing experience is required, swimming ability of at least 25 meters is necessary, and participants should not have any acute injuries or illnesses. Special surfing sessions are available for children aged 6 to 10 years.

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Rookie wave setting

The rookie surf session is designed for individuals who have completed the first-timer surf session and are looking to advance their skills. This level focuses on preparing participants for independent surfing by improving foundational skills such as paddling, take-off techniques, surfing posture, and board control. Participants will also learn to make their first changes of direction while surfing.

Each session consists of a 45-minute briefing that includes theory and activation, followed by 60 minutes in the wave pool, and concludes with a 15-minute debriefing. The maximum group size is seven surfers per coach, with a total of 13 surfers allowed in each surf zone. The price for participation starts at 69 euros.

The session objectives include enhancing surf knowledge and basic surfing techniques, improving paddling techniques, and ensuring safe and correct take-off practices. Participants will work on their surfing stance and board control while navigating white water waves diagonally. Participants must also have successfully surfed white water waves from start to finish. The minimum age for this session is 11 years, and swimming ability of at least 25 meters is necessary.

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Progressive wave setting – green waves!

The Progressive surf session is designed for individuals who have successfully mastered the basics of surfing in the Beginner Zone and are ready to advance to surfing in green waves. This session focuses on honing essential skills such as paddling and surfing in a line-up, practicing angled take-offs in green waves, and improving surfing posture and board control. Participants will also learn to surf parallel to the wave, laying the foundation for advanced surfing techniques and initial turns.

Each session includes a 30-minute briefing that covers theory and activation, followed by 60 minutes in the wave pool, and concludes with a 15-minute debriefing. Participants will experience gentle, green waves at low speed in deep water, with a minimum of 12 waves guaranteed. The maximum group size is 13 surfers per surf zone, and the price for participation starts at 89 euros. Only softboards are permitted during the Progressive Session.

The objectives of the session include teaching surf etiquette and handling the surfboard in deep water, paddling in a line-up, and catching green waves. Participants will work on safe, angled take-offs, improving their surfing stance and board control in green waves, and surfing in the lower part of green waves. Before booking, participants should ensure they meet the following preconditions: mastery of basic surfing and paddling techniques, safe and correct take-off techniques, and the ability to change direction in white water waves.

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Intermediate wave setting

The intermediate surf session is designed for surfers who have mastered the basics of independent surfing in green waves and are looking to advance their skills. This session focuses on practicing cutbacks, relaxed turns, and improving overall surfing technique while surfing perfect cruiser waves. Participants will learn a variety of surf maneuvers that will lay the foundation for tackling more challenging waves. Professional guidance will be provided by surf coaches, and participants will have the opportunity to surf with various surfboard shapes and styles.

Each session includes a 15-minute briefing followed by 60 minutes in the wave pool. The maximum group size is 13 surfers per surf zone, and the session can be booked as either an A-Frame or Pointbreak Session. The price for participation starts at 89 euros.

The objectives of the session include advanced wave theory, efficient paddling, and improving positioning and timing. Participants will work on fluid, angled take-offs in green waves, maintaining a safe surfing posture in various situations, and generating speed. The session will also cover surfing in the upper half of the wave and performing smaller bottom turns and cutbacks on both the frontside and backside.

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Advanced wave setting

The advanced surf session is tailored for competent surfers who are ready to master fast and powerful breaking waves. This session focuses on combining a variety of turns and maneuvers across different sections of the wave. Participants will practice larger bottom turns and top turns with a more vertical approach towards the lip of the wave. The session provides continuous opportunities to surf wave after wave while receiving professional guidance from surf coaches.

Each session includes a 15-minute briefing followed by 60 minutes in the wave pool. The maximum group size is 13 surfers per surf zone, and participants can book the session as either an A-Frame or Pointbreak Session. The price for participation starts at 89 euros.

Participants will work on fast, angled take-offs in powerful waves, improving flow, and connecting different wave sections. The session will also focus on surfing the top third of the wave with a vertical approach and connecting larger bottom turns with various top turns.

Before booking, participants should ensure they meet the following preconditions: efficient paddling technique, good timing and positioning, and the ability to perform fluid, angled take-offs in powerful waves. Participants should also demonstrate a safe surfing posture and correct basic technique in all situations, the ability to actively generate speed on a wave, and mastery of bottom turns and cutbacks on both the frontside and backside.

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Expert wave setting

The expert surf session is designed for competent surfers who are ready to advance their skills and experience the challenge of tube riding. This session focuses on powerful waves that allow for vertical top-to-bottom surfing and features hollow breaking sections ideal for barrels. Participants will have the opportunity to combine a variety of maneuvers smoothly and fluidly in these challenging conditions.

Each session includes a safety briefing followed by 60 minutes in the wave pool. The maximum group size is 15 surfers per surf zone, and the session can be booked as either an A-Frame or Pointbreak Session. The price for participation starts at 89 euros. The session is supervised by professional lifeguards.

The objectives of the session include learning tube riding techniques, catching waves with perfect positioning and timing, and executing fast, diagonal take-offs in steep, hollow breaking waves. The session will also focus on fluidly connecting a variety of maneuvers, including those that involve barrel sections.

Before booking, participants should ensure they meet the following preconditions: the ability to paddle effortlessly with perfect timing and positioning, perform fast, angled take-offs in steep, hollow breaking waves, and connect different wave sections with flow. Participants should also demonstrate the ability to connect large bottom turns and various top turns in the top third of the wave, possess self-confidence to surf barrels, and be prepared for heavy wipe-outs. Safe surfing on both the front and backside is required. It is recommended that participants have completed two advanced surf sessions prior to booking.

Pro wave setting

The pro wave setting is still being cooked up by Endless Surf engineers at this time. But during WavePoolMag’s visit in October, the crew said the new waves would launch soon. Excited to see what they have in store.