River waves · Case studies

Case study Surfwelle Augsburg: carbon concrete, a hand crank and 80 per cent funding

The surf wave on the Senkelbach is the most recent example in Bavaria and the one that comes closest to the principle of "convert an existing sill". It shows how a university becomes a partner, how the Free State and the city fund four fifths of a small project – and how long the road from construction to regular operation can be. Profile and location: Surfwelle Augsburg in the wave directory.

At a glance

Timeline

By its own account the club worked on the idea for many years before presenting the project publicly in November 2020 – with the news that construction had already been approved and would cost around 300,000 euros. In February 2021 the Free State announced 200,000 euros, in April 2022 the city approved a grant of 30 per cent up to 90,000 euros, in December 2022 Interior Minister Herrmann handed over the funding notice for 180,000 euros. The precast elements were cast in December 2022, construction began on 24 April 2023. The installation had to fit into the two weeks when the stream is drained: 14 to 29 April 2023, then the water was let back in. A crowdfunding campaign for the second construction phase followed, test operation with around 50 volunteers in March 2024, and in January 2025 the Bavarian Engineering Prize for the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg. For September 2025 the club announced a gradual start for members; in early 2026 third parties describe ongoing slot operation with wave wardens. The club has not yet published an official opening date.

From public presentation to test operation: three and a half years. From installation to member operation: around two years – the fine-tuning of a wave takes time.

Technology

Augsburg did not put a new structure into the stream but narrowed and reshaped an existing bed sill – pure water power, no external energy. The components are precast elements of recycled concrete with one hundred per cent recycled aggregate and carbon reinforcement, which does not rust and is many times stronger than steel. This was developed by the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg under Professor Sergej Rempel with civil engineering students, funded through the federal-state initiative "Innovative Hochschule". On the stream bed sits an adjustable spoiler that the wave wardens adjust with a hand crank – they call themselves "Kurbelknechte" (crank hands). Outside operating hours and in case of danger the wave is flattened. Gauge probes upstream and downstream, impact protection, emergency exits and lifeguards are part of the safety equipment; after the accident on the Eisbach in Munich in 2025 the precautions were tightened once more. There is no official figure for the discharge; the Fabrikkanal, of which the Senkelbach is the continuation, carries around 28 m³/s according to Wikipedia. Before construction there was a dangerous surface roller at the spot; the club cites its removal as a safety gain.

Costs and funding

300,000 euros became around 350,000 – a moderate increase compared with Nuremberg or Hanover. The Free State of Bavaria (180,000 euros) and the City of Augsburg (30 per cent, up to 90,000 euros) together covered around 80 per cent. The rest came through crowdfunding (target 80,000 euros, as of March 2024: 55,000 euros), sponsors such as PSD Bank München and Stadtwerke Augsburg, and donations in kind from regional companies. The university's involvement ran through research funding. → Costs and funding

Permits and procedure

The permit from the City of Augsburg was already in place in 2020; little is publicly documented about the authority, the conditions and fish ecology. The fact that the site is a technical canal – part of the Augsburg water management system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019 – is likely to have eased the procedure. The draining of the stream in spring set the time window for installation.

Operation

Only club members may surf, because the insurance depends on it; day memberships are planned in the medium term. Members have four free slots a month, further slots cost 5 euros, a guest slot is to cost 15 euros. Slots last one hour between 8 am and 8 pm, booked digitally, supervised by two volunteer wave wardens; a "Senkelbach code" and an alcohol ban apply. Around 50 volunteers have trained as lifeguards with the Wasserwacht and the DLRG, at their own expense. The club counted around 200 members in 2021. Third parties describe the wave as powerful and not suitable for beginners – the club itself advertises that beginners are standing within ten minutes; neither statement has been independently verified.

What Winterbach can learn from this

Augsburg is the proof that converting an existing sill is feasible for a low six-figure sum – and that state and municipality can cover 80 per cent of such a project if it is recognised as a sports facility. The hand crank instead of hydraulics shows: adjustability does not have to be expensive. The university partnership brought structural engineering, materials research and recognition. Two warnings come with it: the installation window depends on the watercourse, in Augsburg on the draining of the stream, in Winterbach on low water – and from installation to reliable operation two years easily pass, during which the wave is tuned and the operation is built up.

Frequently asked questions

What did the Surfwelle Augsburg cost?

Around 350,000 euros (300,000 were planned). The Free State of Bavaria paid 180,000 euros, the City of Augsburg up to 90,000 euros; the rest was covered by crowdfunding and sponsors.

What is special about the construction?

The existing bed sill was reshaped, the components are made of recycled concrete with carbon reinforcement – developed with the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg, which received the Bavarian Engineering Prize 2025 for it. The spoiler is adjusted with a hand crank.

Can you surf in Augsburg without a membership?

Not at present; operation is restricted to members for insurance reasons. Day memberships and guest slots have been announced.

Sources: Surffreunde Augsburg e.V., "News", "Das Projekt", "Mitglieder-FAQ", "Pegel" (surfwelleaugsburg.de) · Technische Hochschule Augsburg, project page "Die Surfwelle in Augsburg" and press release on the start of construction 24.04.2023 · sport-in-augsburg.de, 25.11.2020 · trendyone.de, 05.04.2021 and 03.09.2024 · hallo-augsburg.de, 11.04.2022, 15.12.2022, 13.04.2023 · ingenieur.de, 06.03.2023 · Bayerische Staatszeitung, 17.01.2025 · radio-augsburg.de, 12.06.2025 · Wikipedia, "Senkelbach"

Last updated: 15 October 2026 · Initiative Remswelle