It is truly a milestone in German engineering history: citywave, as a Munich-based company is currently building the world’s largest standing wave, right in the heart of the surfers’ paradise, Hawaii. The citywave Hawaii will officially launch on March 25.
While artificial surf waves have already gained popularity in urban areas, offering beginners and professionals alike perfect training conditions even far from the ocean, the wave designed by the Munich company Action Team Veranstaltungs GmbH sets completely new standards. The wave will span over 30 meters (98 feet) and will feature three distinct sections. It is the largest project ever undertaken by the Bavarian company.
A Japanese real estate investor is funding the project with a three-digit million investment. In the first phase of construction at Ewa Beach, near Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the 30-meter citywave has been completed alongside bars and restaurants. In the lagoon in front of the citywave, Hawaiian outrigger boats, stand-up paddling, and other water sports will also be available.
The broader project, named “WaiKai,” will include future developments such as hotels, retail spaces, and residential properties, including 30 single-family homes already sold. The overall concept revolves around Hawaii’s surfing culture. Along a 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) boardwalk, visitors will learn about the history of surfing and its origins. A significant focus of the project is on preserving and honoring the Polynesian heritage of Hawaii and its surfers.
citywave is at the heart of this ambitious project, which aims to provide locals and tourists with a variety of leisure options while also making surfing safer. Surf conditions in Hawaii often pose challenges for inexperienced surfers. The islands’ unique location, far from any mainland, means waves travel thousands of kilometers across the Pacific before breaking on Hawaii’s shores, creating towering, powerful walls of water. While this makes Hawaii a surfer’s paradise, it also demands considerable skill and experience.
The standing wave allows surf tourists to gain essential practice before venturing into the ocean. Additionally, even professional surfers face variable ocean conditions depending on the season. Summer waves can often be too small or inconsistent, but the citywave offers year-round, consistent, and adjustable surf conditions.
“When you first hear about it, it admittedly sounds a bit unbelievable,” says CEO and engineer Rainer Klimaschewski. “A German company bringing a wave to the birthplace of surfing in Hawaii – that’s truly a special honor.”
However, the idea isn’t far-fetched. The wave is also designed to allow professional surfers to perfect tricks and practice new moves under consistent conditions before trying them in the ocean.
