A unique double wave pool project in western Germany secured a purchase agreement for approximately 100,000 square meters of the main area of the former Werne Colliery.

The Surfwrld/Scncwave project has had two successful capital raising rounds which allowed the purchase option to go through with the energy company that holds the land, Ruhrkohle AG.

“This is a big step forward for us in building a unique surfing and research spot right on the edge of the Ruhr region,” said Dr Michael Detering, Managing Director of SW GmbH. “Our concept is way more than just a classic surf park.”

Instead of building on a “greenfield site”, the surf park project is being built on a former industrial wasteland. Surfwrld said the idea is to create a natural, spacious, and sustainable place. The company added that it will be using a new wave-making technology.

“We’re using a much more economical wave technology that’s currently being patented,” added Detering. “This makes our facility one of the world’s most efficient hydraulic research facilities. The main attraction at the park will be our 242-meter-long and 80-meter-wide main pool, a rapid surf area, additional facilities, and, at a later date, another pool will be installed. With these elements… we are creating a surfing and leisure world that sets new standards.”

Surfwrld/Scncwave said the project would bring together sport, leisure, research and business for the region and added that the transportation infrastructure will make the project accessible to surfers from the Netherlands as well.

The company said that the new tech can create waves more than three meters high in a space 150 meters wide.

Surfwrld/Scncwave said that the nearby Lippe river will make sustainable water management relatively easy. The soil on the site has already been remediated, meaning that the planned construction project can start quickly.

The next step in the process is the completion of local urban land-use planning.

“The building plans are already largely complete so that we can start construction in the spring if possible,” says the project developer.

In the months that are less attractive for water sports due to German winter weather conditions, the facility will be converted into a hydrodynamic test facility for large-scale wave tests by the SCNCWAVE company.