The coolest thing about working in the wave pool space is seeing how surf culture gets morphed into different entitites based on it’s location. Apologies if we’re being a bit esoteric, but this is a really big transformation for surfing as we know it.
Back in the early days of WavePoolMag, we had a frequent emailer by the name of Daniel Lira Figueiredo. He wanted to build a wave pool in Norway. Several years (seven to be exact) and one pandemic later, we’ve just now received word that another business entity is hot on the prowl to build Norway’s first wave pool.
Wavespot has secured a six-year option on an 80,000-square-meter site near Oslo Airport Gardermoen for a proposed surf park. The site is currently zoned for sports use, and further planning and development work is underway. At the heart of the development will be a wave pool that artist renderings show as a Wavegarden Cove.
Wavespot was founded by Anders Jørgensen, Øyvind Hollo-Klausen and Petter Billington, who have been developing the project and assembling a Norwegian and international team around it. Anders reached out to WavePoolMag.
“We have spent some time putting the key pieces in place,” said Anders. “We have now secured the site, built a strong team around the project and reached a point where this is becoming very tangible.”
Anders went on to tell WavePoolMag, “We want to create a different kind of surf park – one where surfing meets Scandinavian nature, design, food and outdoor lifestyle.”
And from the images we’ve seen, it looks like Wavespot had done just that.
Andy Hadden, one of the founders of Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh, has joined the project alongside Nick Watson and Chris Bain. The three bring experience from surf park planning and financing to construction, opening and operation. Lost Shore opened in 2024 following an investment of more than £60 million.
“Having earned multiple national and international awards with our flagship project in Scotland, and gained invaluable operational insights along the way, we are excited to apply our proven Scottish blueprint to Norway to deliver another iconic, world-class sports and leisure destination,” said Andy Hadden. “We are invested in the company and are 100 per cent committed to helping bring this project to life.”
And if you remember your 1990s action sports trilogy: Surf, Skate, Snow, you’ll be happy to know that Norwegian snowboarder and surfer Terje Haakonsen has also joined Wavespot as an investor.
The project has received support from Brettforbundet, the Norwegian Snowboard, Skateboard and Surfing Association, and the surf facility has been included on the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports’ priority list for sports facilities.
“A wave pool has been a long-term ambition for Brettforbundet, The Norwegian board sport association, and we have worked for some time to highlight the need for a facility like this,” said Bijora Sardarian, secretary general of Brettforbundet. “We are also exploring opportunities for public sports funding for the project.”
Gardermoen Surf Club has been established and, together with Ullensaker Sports Council, will play a role in development of the facility. Gardermoen Vekst has contributed funding to the preliminary project, while Ullensaker Municipality has welcomed the plans.
“This is exactly the kind of new and forward-looking project that can strengthen both public health and the attractiveness of the region,” said Ståle Lien Hansen, mayor of Ullensaker.
The proposed surf park would provide opportunities for participation, training and competition, including training for Norwegian surfers and national-team athletes.
The project is planned as a multisport and activity destination open to the public, offering sports and outdoor activities. During winter, cross-country ski trails will start from the parking area, while the site is connected to the region’s cycling network.
