Surfing in Amsterdam: Wave Pool Proposed for Famed Canals

Per a description of the proposal from representative of the project, Jaap Kersten:

“Our mission is to give as many people as possible the chance to experience surfing – from young children trying it for the first time, to the advanced surfer who dreams of participating in the Olympics. But also the non-surfing local resident, spectator or casual passer-by is more than welcome to enjoy a healthy lunch or a cup of coffee on the terrace, with a view of the waves. Regardless of age, background and budget. Everyone is welcome. And everyone can participate in this initiative.”

The pool in Rotterdam, dubbed the “very first surf pool in the world in the middle of a city,” has been somewhat of a hit. Although it doesn’t produce the most high-performance waves seen in surf park technology today, it does offer city-dwellers the opportunity to catch their first waves in a safe and controlled environment – and one completely unique, as the waves literally break in a canal in the middle of a bustling city.

As for the proposal in Amsterdam, Kersten continued:

“Together with as many Buiksloterhammers as possible, we want to give a special interpretation to the Johan van Hasseltkanaal and -boulevard. By realizing a wavepool, we bring perfect waves for every level of surfing into the city. And we create an attractive place to recreate and swim in a green recreational zone in the water.”