Berlin has had its own indoor surf spot for several years now: Wellenwerk, where you can try surfing on a standing wave. Before our surf course in Portugal, we wanted to find out what it actually feels like to stand on a surfboard on the water. In the end, we not only had a lot of fun, but after three and a half hours we were much more stable on the board than we had expected.
Can beginners surf at Wellenwerk Berlin?
Yes, Wellenwerk Berlin is a good place to start, even if you are a complete beginner. The session begins in a very controlled way and then gradually becomes more challenging. That helped us quickly build confidence on the board and on the wave.
Before our visit, we did not have much surfing experience. Still, we wanted to give it a try because we were travelling to Portugal shortly afterwards. Our first real surf course by the sea was waiting for us there. Before that, we wanted to know whether a standing indoor wave could actually help as preparation. We were also curious to see whether we would really be able to stand freely on the wave by the end of the session.
Our first impression of Wellenwerk
From the moment we arrived, Wellenwerk felt very relaxed. The team was friendly, and we also liked the whole site straight away. In addition to the surf hall, there is a large terrace, a beer garden, a small skate pool and several spots where you can sit down and relax. Because of that, the visit feels less like a typical sports course and more like a small day out. Wellenwerk Berlin is located at Landsberger Allee 270, 10367 Berlin.
How does the beginner session work?
The beginner session starts with a short introduction. After that, you go straight onto the wave, although at first you use a support bar to get a feel for the board and the wave.
That was a very good way to begin. You immediately notice how the board moves. At the same time, you can try out how much your posture and weight shift affect your balance.
Next step: surfing without the support bar
In the next step, the support bar was removed, and everyone could surf freely on the wave again and again. At first, the trainer and the instructor still helped us into the wave. That was very useful because you first have to get used to the speed, the water and the board.
After a few attempts, we became more confident. Getting onto the wave worked better, the rides became longer and our movements felt calmer. The fast progress was especially motivating. At first, we only stood on the board for a few seconds. Later, we could ride much longer and even start to change direction slightly.
At some point, it no longer felt like we were just surviving the wave. We were slowly starting to control it.
Theory break and surfing tips
In between, we had a short theory break. The trainers had watched us surf and were then able to give us very specific tips. The focus was mainly on posture, weight distribution, where to look and how to stand more calmly on the board. These tips helped immediately. After the break, the rides felt more controlled.
We also practised on a surfboard that was placed between two wooden blocks. This was about dry land technique. For us, practising how to get up on the board was especially interesting. This part was particularly valuable for our planned surf course in Portugal. In the ocean, of course, many other things come into play. Even so, the exercise helped us understand the movement much better.
Does indoor surfing help prepare you for the ocean?
Indoor surfing does not replace a surf course in the ocean. In the sea, you have to paddle, read the waves and stand up at the right moment. You can only learn that to a limited extent on a standing wave. Still, we found the training very useful. You get a first feel for the board, your posture and your balance on the water. You also quickly lose some of your hesitation about the movement.
For us, Wellenwerk was therefore a good test run before Portugal. We now understand better how a board feels under our feet. We also realised how important calm movements and the right direction of view are.
What we liked most
What surprised us most was how quickly you can see progress. After three and a half hours, everyone in our course could stand on the wave.
- the friendly support from the team
- the quick progress on the wave
- the short and helpful tips from the trainers
For us, the mix of experience, sport and training worked really well.
Our conclusion on Wellenwerk Berlin
Our experience at Wellenwerk Berlin was very positive. The session was great fun and very manageable for us as beginners. We are pretty sure that this was not our last visit to Wellenwerk.
I’m Marie, and I write about our excursions and travel destinations. I love discovering new places and sharing my experiences and practical tips with you. My goal is to inspire you for your next adventure and help you find the best activities and must-see sights.
