One of the small nasties of recent German history is that the landlocked state of Bavaria in particular is basking in the glow of surfer culture. In Munich, the wave on the Eisbach has been carrying Californian flair to the state capital for more than 40 years. Nuremberg, too, is now looking forward to its own wave in the Pegnitz; there are also plans for another wave in Augsburg.
Reinhard Bingener
Political correspondent for Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Bremen, based in Hanover.
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But now the north is also arming itself: In Hanover, the "Leinewelle" was officially put into operation on Friday. A private initiative fought for ten years for the artificial wave on the river and realized the structure with the support of sponsors and against some resistance, for example from the fishing industry. "Thank you for persevering," said Mayor Belit Onay in praise of the initiators. Onay has already tested the wave on the leash himself on the surfboard in advance.
Hanover is becoming more Mediterranean
As a former member of the state parliament presidium, the Green politician has also noticed the fear of too many swim shorts and wetsuits in the immediate vicinity of parliament, which existed a few years ago in Lower Saxony's political scene. The Leinewelle now piles up a few meters further downstream – but still right in the heart of the city, which is opening up more and more to the river.
On the Hohe Ufer along the Leine, a promenade with cafés has been created in recent years, which makes a significant contribution to the Mediterraneanization of Hanover. With the "Leinewelle", the area is now supplemented by a permanent spectacle. The wave can run all year round, surfing is possible every day from six to 22 o'clock. Only lighting in the dark was prohibited by the authorities.
Surfers can regulate the wave
In contrast to Munich's Eisbach, the wave in Hanover can be regulated by the surfers. The hydraulics of the weir, ramp and the so-called kicker can be adapted to the skills of the surfers present via a smartphone app. Sebastian Stern, one of the initiators, mentions another difference: Munich's Eisbach is constantly fed with around 24 cubic meters of water per second; the leash carries different amounts of water depending on the weather.
After the rainfall of the past few weeks, the flow rate at the opening on Friday was about eleven cubic meters per second. However, the shaft can also be operated with significantly less flow if it is not built up to its maximum width of 8.40 meters. "We need about one cubic meter of water per second per meter of wave," explains Stern.
Surfers must be a club member or book an appointment
In order to use the wave, the surfers must either be a member of the Leinewelle e.V. sponsoring association or book an appointment as a guest for 20 euros per hour. For safe operation, two "Wavemasters" from the club must be present at a time. One steers the wave, the other pays attention to the safety of up to ten surfers, who are allowed to take turns on the water with their boards.
The association also needs the membership fees and fees to finance the construction costs. The initiators have already collected 1.5 million euros from sponsors from the region. However, another 500,000 euros still have to be paid off. However, the initiators are optimistic that they will be able to do this with the already 300 members of the association, especially since talks are underway with other donors.
"Forgiving and soft"
The wave is also suitable for holding competitions. This weekend, the German Rapid Surfing Championships will be held there. At the opening on Friday, German champion Valeska Schneider was the first to throw her board into the line. The professional athlete then expressed an initial assessment. The wave is "forgiving and soft".
Schneider drew a comparison to skiing: The Eisbach, which is not entirely harmless, is like a "bumpy slope", the "Leinewelle" is more of a groomed run. Heiko Heybey, the second important initiator of the wave alongside Sebastian Stern, is counting on the fact that the adjustable level of difficulty will also introduce young people to surfing, which has been an Olympic sport for a few years. The wave will also change the attitude to life in Hanover, Heybey expects. "If you can go surfing in the morning before work or during your lunch break, then it's like a holiday here."