Page 40 - November 2021

ENTERTAINMENT PROFILE - CITYWAVE SURF ATTRACTIONS

On the Crest

of a Wave

citywave surf attractions provides a value offering that connects the spirit of surf with urban

vibes. In this article, RLI speaks with CEO Rainer Klimaschewski about how the company
originated, what it offers that makes it stand out from the crowd and what the next part of
the expansion plan is.

Citywave, Chelan, Washington State, US

ormer World and European champions in trick skiing in Israel, Munich, Berlin and Osnabrück in Germany, Monteux and St.
the 1980s; Rainer and Susi Klimaschewski have followed Gilles Croix de Vie in France and Madrid in Spain.
their dream of bringing spectacular action sport events into Six of these are combined with malls, two are integrated into
Fcities around the world. They turned their passion into a a water park and two are in conjunction with indoor skydiving
profession and developed sport simulators for over 20 years before facilities. The remaining three are standalone concepts, offering food
in the early 2000s, inspired by their local river wave in Munich, they and beverage and surf specific retail in a shop.
started to develop a mobile version of a deep-water wave to bring In the pipeline they have projects planned in Europe and the US,
the sport of surfing to major cities and the citywave surf attractions with their major scheme a 100ft citywave installation that is under
concept was born. construction in Hawaii and is on course to open in summer 2022.
“The idea behind citywave is that it is real surfing, with real “There is huge potential in the leisure industry and alongside
surfboards, and that even an absolute beginner, no matter what water and amusement parks, we want to extend our portfolio
age they are, can learn to ride a wave within a few hours,” explains towards hospitality developments like hotels and resorts,” says
Rainer Klimaschewski, CEO of citywave surf attractions. Klimaschewski. “We believe citywave surf attractions are the perfect
Almost all of the citywave sites have had a successful last 12 addition to beach resorts to meet the exclusive wishes and demands
months, with even those sites which only operate during the summer of ambitious guests who do not want to be disappointed with their
season able to extend their opening dates due to the overwhelming expectations and objectives. No waves in the ocean? Our concept
demand for surfing tickets, and whilst the effects of the pandemic offers perfect surfing conditions 24/7.”
has forced many people to stay at home instead of going on vacation Furthermore they believe there is huge potential in the fusion of
abroad, this concept allows guests a place where they could practice the retail and leisure industries, this is why their next step is to move
their sport under safe conditions in a beach bar setting that feels like from technology providers to operators of their venues. They will
a holiday. be actively looking for the best centres in Europe to place and self-
Today the company operates 13 locations in top locations around operate in the upcoming year.
the globe such as Tokyo in Japan, Moscow in Russia, Chelan in the Since its inception the concept has evolved from a sport facility
US, Zurich and Lucerne in Switzerland, Vienna in Austria, Tel Aviv in to a vibrant lifestyle platform offering both athletes and spectators
40 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER 2021