The Remswelle project
A standing wave for the Rems valley
The Remswelle initiative wants to create a surfable standing wave at the "Remswehr" in Winterbach. Not a facility on a green field, but an installation where the Rems already flows through a structure today – the outlet structure of the flood retention basin: with existing infrastructure, without a new site on undeveloped land, carried by citizens from the Rems valley.
Why a river wave?
Over the past fifteen years river surfing has grown from Munich's Eisbach into a popular sport. Nuremberg opened a wave on the Pegnitz in 2022, Hanover one on the Leine, and Pforzheim has had Baden-Württemberg's first river wave since 2021. In each of these places a stretch of riverbank has become a meeting point – for surfers, but also for spectators, families and the town itself.
The Stuttgart area has nothing comparable so far. The Neckarwelle in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim failed in 2019 over the water quality of the Neckar. Today there is exactly one river wave for surfers in the whole of Baden-Württemberg: Pforzheim. Anyone living closer to Stuttgart otherwise drives to Munich or Nuremberg. → Map of all river waves
Why Winterbach?
The Stuttgart region has 2.8 million inhabitants – almost as many as the entire Nuremberg metropolitan region, on one sixth of the area – and not a single river wave. Winterbach lies in the middle of this catchment, with a suburban rail connection.
The "Remswehr" in Winterbach – more precisely: the outlet structure of the Schorndorf/Winterbach flood retention basin – lies directly beneath the Ostlandstraße bridge, a few minutes' walk from the town centre and the suburban railway station. It brings much of what a wave needs: a structure that narrows the river and can impound it, reinforced banks, stepping stones, access. The head for the wave has to be created. We are currently examining two variants – a focused wave directly at the weir and a wider wave at the stepping stones. → The site
The Rems is a small river. On most days its current is not enough for a wave; the wave has to be created by impoundment, constriction or ramps. Whether and how that works is what the ongoing feasibility study will clarify. → How a standing wave forms
Why we look at the whole landscape
These pages are not only about hydraulics but also about soils, streams, cold air, wild bees and timber drifting. The reason is simple: a wave does not need as much water as possible at once, but enough of it for as long as possible – and whether the Rems flows evenly is decided in the landscape upstream. Besides, a Remswelle will only exist in harmony with nature and water protection. And anyone who wants to use a river should know it and its history. → More flow for the Rems · → The forgotten wave of Winterbach
Where we stand
The idea has been worked out, technical feasibility is being examined, first conversations are under way. If the assessment is positive, the next steps are founding a club, the ecological assessment and coordination with the authorities. → Project status
What we promise – and what we don't
We do not promise a wave for tomorrow. In Germany river waves typically take several years from the idea to the first ride; Nuremberg needed a good ten years, Augsburg about as long. What we promise is to document the road openly: with figures, with sources and with the objections that exist. → Questions and objections
Short on time? The essentials on one page: → The Remswelle at a glance
Do you like the idea? Then register as a supporter. Every voice helps in conversations with the municipality, authorities and funders. → Support us