You will not hear in this podcast about how Tom Lochtefeld has accrued more than 100 patents and trademarks. Most notably as the inventor, principal designer and technology licensor for several major aquatic attractions, including Flowrider, Flowbarrel, Master Blaster, Uphill Water Coaster, Surf Boat, Flying Reef, and recently, the Surf Lock Surf Pool. Sorry, but “The Tom” podcast will happen at another time.
In this Tom Lochtefeld Podcast, (the first of our seventh season!) we were lucky enough to catch Tom at the RiF010 wave pool in central Rotterdam. Holland’s first surf park is a unique blend of Dutch surf culture and gives insight into how future wave pools can revitalize the downtown areas of future-first cities. Here, Tom shares with us how this unique project came into being and why it took 11 long years to complete.
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RiF010: Urban Surfing Redefined in Rotterdam
RiF010 is the Netherlands’ first public wave pool designed specifically for surfers—and the world’s first urban surf tank. Located in the heart of Rotterdam, this unique project integrates directly into the Steigersgracht canal. It’s surrounded by restaurants, shops, and pedestrian walkways, offering an immersive experience for both surfers and spectators.
The 1.5-meter right-hander wave is powered by SurfLoch’s pneumatic technology. It replicates the shape and energy of ocean waves, making it ideal for training and recreation. Rotterdam approved the project in 2023 after nearly a decade of planning since its 2014 proposal. With €3 million in municipal investment, RiF010 has quickly become a vibrant city attraction. On sunny days, over 100 people often gather to watch surfers carve through the city-center waves.
Construction and Wave Technology
WavePool Construction Progress: Open and operational.
Accessibility: Open to the public. RiF010 was built with inclusivity in mind and integrates seamlessly into the city’s pedestrian infrastructure.
Wave Generating Technology: RiF010 uses SurfLoch wave systems. It features eight caissons, similar to the setup in the Palm Springs test pool. These pneumatic chambers generate consistent, high-quality waves tailored to skill level.
Wave Direction: Currently, the pool only produces right-handers, following the shape of the surrounding canal. Waves break across two zones—The Point (also called The Rif) and The Bay—resulting in 300 swells per hour, or roughly 600 surfable waves every hour.
