This wave basin in the heart of surf-crazy Bavaria went full-speed in the opening weeks and hasn’t slowed down since. Larissa Eck had to navigate the newness and unfinished early days of the surf park, ushering guests into the surf basin and keeping the vibes high. No easy feat in the fledgling days of a new facility. She encountered construction hurdles and the usual opening wave pool blues – all issues she met with grace and aplomb. Today, O2 SURFTOWN MUC is a well-oiled machine and Larissa can focus on her work tasks while vicariously enjoying those golden moments of customers basking in the glow of post-surf bliss.

The hospitality is different in the South compared to the North or Germany. People in the South tend to be more relaxed in their interactions

– Larissa Eck

Can you tell me your name and what your job is here?
My name is Larissa, and I work as a guest relations agent here. Essentially, I handle the check-in process.

What does guest relations mean?
Guest relations means we are the first point of contact for guests. We welcome them to O2 SURFTOWN MUC and assist them with any needs they may have. If guests require something specific, we coordinate with the appropriate staff member to address their needs.

So you have a variety of responsibilities?
Yes, primarily check-in, but we also assist staff members. If they need to contact someone and aren’t sure who to reach out to, we help facilitate that as well.

What is your background? Is it related to your current role?
Not really. I just finished my studies last year in international business, which doesn’t directly relate to what I’m doing now. I did some internships in marketing and sales, so it’s a bit different. For me, it was more important to work for a company whose mission I believe in, and O2 SURFTOWN MUC is perfect for that.

How did you hear about this job?
My boyfriend was working at an artificial wave facility in Rijnsburg, about an hour from here. He was a surf coach there. One day last summer, the Surftown crew visited, and he connected with them. That’s how I learned about Surftown and their plans to build a wavepool here. I looked it up and applied last year.

When guests arrive at Surftown, what is the most common question you receive?
Guests often look through the window and ask, “What wave is running now?” They want to know the current wave level to gauge whether it’s suitable for them.

Was there an issue you encountered when you started, and how did you solve it?
Yes, when we opened, the facility was still under construction, and the pathways changed daily. We had to inform guests about the routes they needed to take, which caused some confusion. Over time, guests became familiar with the layout, but initially, it was a bit challenging.

Is it more streamlined now?
Yes, it’s much easier now.

Are you from Munich?
No, I’m from Regensburg, which is about 1.5 hours from here.

So you’re Bavarian. Is there such a thing as Bavarian hospitality, and does that carry over to Surftown?
Yes, you can feel a bit of the Bavarian spirit here, especially during Oktoberfest when you see people wearing traditional clothing like dirndls and lederhosen. The hospitality is different in the South compared to the North; people in the South tend to be more relaxed in their interactions.

What would you recommend for someone visiting Surf Town for the first time to ensure a seamless experience?
To have a great day at Surftown, guests should just bring swimming shorts and a towel. Everything else will be explained upon arrival. They can spend the whole day surfing, enjoy lunch here, and have drinks with friends in the evening. It’s always nice to bring friends along; everyone cheers when someone catches a good wave, which creates such a great vibe.

What is the most popular wave session here?
The advanced session is the most popular. It’s always fully booked, and people frequently ask if there are still slots available. The waves are powerful but not as intense as the expert level.