The Surfwrld/SCNCWave surf park project in western Germany secured a purchase agreement for approximately 100,000 square meters of land last year and will begin site preparation this weekend.
The property, a former industrial area that includes sections of slag heap, sits on the grounds of the old Zeche Werne coal mine. The agreement with Ruhrkohle AG follows two successful funding rounds by the Surfwrld/SCNCWave team.
National Surfing Partnership in Progress
The group is also collaborating with the German Surfing Association (DWV) on a potential high-performance training center at the site.
“One key topic we’re working on together is the concept for a surf and high-performance training center (Surf- & Leistungszentrum) at SURFWRLD,” said Mimi Hnatyk. “We want to explore how we can create a strong setup for talent development, structured training, and national-team–level performance programs, alongside broader community and event formats.”
Reclaimed Industrial Land for Surf and Research Use
Instead of building on undeveloped land, Surfwrld will repurpose the former colliery site. Developers aim to create a sustainable, spacious setting and have committed to deploying new wave-generation technology. Waves will be created using compressed air, though technical details remain undisclosed. Renderings suggest a system similar to Endless Surf, as used in Munich.
The facility will feature two surf pools. The main basin, 242 meters in length, will produce waves over three meters high (according to developers) and up to 150 meters wide. The second, slightly smaller pool will support beginner sessions and parallel programming.
“Pool two is being developed a bit later,” Surfwrld told WavePoolMag. “We have the chance to make sure it reflects the latest innovations in wave tech and design. You could say we’re building for the future – starting with Pool One, and then moving on to Pool Two with everything we’ve learned and everything that’s emerging in the space.”
Academic Collaboration and Construction Timeline
Surfwrld is partnering with RWTH Aachen and TH Cologne universities. During the off-season, the pools will serve as facilities for hydraulic and civil engineering research purposes.
The team, led by Dr. Michael Detering, includes experts in development, finance, marketing, and engineering. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026. If timelines hold, research activities will launch in early 2027, with public surf operations beginning in the spring of the same year.
