Jena, 24.04.2026. The “Bürger für Jena” parliamentary group wants to make surfing possible in the middle of the city. With a new draft resolution for the city council, it is to be examined whether the creation of a so-called standing wave in the Saale is feasible.
- Initiator: City council group “Bürger für Jena”
- Project: Examination of a standing surf wave (“SaaleWelle”)
- Mandate assigned to: Lord Mayor of the City of Jena
- Role models: München, Hannover, Nürnberg, Regensburg, Passau
Extensive Examination Requested
Before the first surfers can launch their boards, numerous hurdles must be overcome. The submitted motion stipulates that the Lord Mayor first identify potential locations along the Saale. In doing so, the project must withstand a strict catalog of criteria: In addition to urban planning and safety-relevant issues, the focus of the requested feasibility study is primarily on water law regulations, ecological impacts, and nature conservation.
New Meeting Point at the River
The initiators hope that the “SaaleWelle” will not only be a new attraction for water sports enthusiasts, who could thus practice surfing in place. According to the submitters’ ideas, the facility should develop into a new, urban meeting point on the Saale. Should the project actually be implemented, Jena would take on a pioneering role: It would be the first city in the new federal states to have such a river wave.
Background: Urban River Waves
The concept of artificial or near-natural river waves is enjoying increasing popularity in Germany. The most famous example is the Eisbachwelle in the Englischer Garten in München, which has established itself for decades as a world-famous surf spot and tourist magnet. Hannover also recently successfully implemented a similar project in the city center with the “Leinewelle”. In Jena, the Saale already represents the most important local recreation area as a central axis through the urban area – particularly at the level of the Paradiespark and the Oberaue. A surf wave could further increase the attractiveness of the river landscape, but often requires structural interventions in the flow dynamics and the riverbed, which makes close and early coordination with the environmental authorities mandatory.
Source:
Bürger für Jena want to have “SaaleWelle” examined
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.