The surf wave is coming - this is how the initiators view the project in Wolfratshausen

Created: 01/03/2022, 7:58 pm

From: Dominik Stallein

Surfing is their passion: Marcus and Steffi Kastner from Waldram have been fighting for a surf wave in Wolfratshausen for nine years.

Now the project is turning into the home straight.

© Jens Schumann

The Wolfratshausen surf wave should open in summer: An interview with Steffi and Marcus Kastner about the Christmas miracle, upcoming hurdles and other surf waves

Wolfratshausen - After nine years full of ups and downs, it seems certain: the Wolfratshausen surf wave will come.

The Waldram couple Marcus and Steffi Kastner are fighting for this project with a lot of passion and commitment.

In an interview with our volunteer Dominik Stallein, the two of them talk about the Christmas miracle 2019, their anticipation for the new attraction and reveal how things should run on the Loisach.

The surf wave is coming - this is how the initiators view the project in Wolfratshausen

Ms. Kastner, Mr. Kastner, the surfing club has jumped many hurdles in the past few years.

Was the city council's funding decision the highest in December?

Steffi Kastner

: It was definitely another very high hurdle.

But I think we mastered the biggest two years ago.

At the time, the project was on the verge of collapse because the city council did not want to fill a financing gap of 64,000 euros ...

Steffi Kastner

: ... right.

And we also thought for a while that this would actually mean the end of the wave.

But then Tilo Scheck initiated a great fundraising drive, and within ten days we had the money together.

Such a commitment from so many supporters in such a short time: That was the biggest hurdle for me.

Marcus Kastner

: We never expected that.

Steffi Kastner

: It was goose bumps when it became clear that many people would overcome this obstacle together.

Marcus Kastner

: And it showed us impressively how many people are behind this project and want to help us implement it.

Corona delays surfing wave: "At the moment everything is getting more expensive"

That was two years ago - in the meantime there has been an increase in prices.

Marcus Kastner

: Corona plays a major role here.

That delayed the project again, and you can see almost everywhere at the moment that everything is becoming more expensive.

This time, however, donation collection is no longer necessary.

Steffi Kastner

: That was a great success: the majority of the city council decided to implement the wave despite the price increase.

After nine years, of course, that's a huge relief for us.

But apart from the decision in 2019, it was actually always the case that the majority on the city council was for our project.

If you had known how much engagement it would take, would you have even started?

Marcus Kastner

: I don't know.

In any case, we would not have expected that this idea would require such years of commitment and that the result would be such a high-quality, modern sports facility.

But now we are looking ahead and are happy that all the work by so many people has been worth it.

The wave will really come.

Surf club is open: Everyone can become a member of Wolfratshauser Gruppe

How does that feel to you after years of ups and downs?

Steffi Kastner

: Above all, we are grateful for the support of an incredible number of people who have accompanied us for many years and helped us to make this success possible.

It is now finally becoming tangible.

We are waiting with all of you with great anticipation for the wave.

You opened the association a few weeks ago - anyone can now become a member.

You didn't want that in previous years.

Why the rethinking?

Marcus Kastner

: We didn't want to disappoint anyone.

If people had already signed up for the club in the past few years and the wave hadn't come after all, it would be an unfortunate situation.

That's why we waited.

But at the time of the opening it was not at all clear whether the city council would decide to increase the grant.

Steffi Kastner

: On the one hand, we were optimistic.

On the other hand, the time to open the association was also chosen deliberately: We wanted to show politicians how many people are behind the wave and want to participate.

Surfwelle Wolfratshausen also has fans in Munich - despite the Eisbach and Floßlände

How many are there so far?

Steffi Kastner

: Over 70 new members have joined.

Marcus Kastner

: And almost every day there are more.

We keep getting new applications and registrations.

Many write a message about how much they are looking forward to the new attraction.

This includes many whole families, but of course also individual athletes who want to surf in Wolfratshausen.

Where do these people come from?

Marcus Kastner

: It's a very mixed bag.

Steffi Kastner

: Many people come from Wolfratshausen and the region, but also a few from the Munich area.

Are you surprised?

Marcus Kastner

: No.

We expected the wave to have fans across the region as well.

At the Eisbach or the Floßlände in Munich I was repeatedly approached by other surfers about our project and when they could come to Wolfratshausen to surf there.

How long have you been surfing river waves?

Marcus Kastner

: For about 20 years.

"Ultra-modern and attractive": Surf wave in Wolfratshausen should become a reality

How did this sport develop?

Marcus Kastner

: Today it is no longer the freak sport that it may have been.

You can tell at the Eisbach or at the Floßlände in Thalkirchen that more and more surfers are coming - also from Wolfratshausen, by the way.

Where a few years ago you could get on the board almost without standing in line, you now have to wait a long time before it's your turn.

Interest has increased significantly.

That is why similar offers are being created in different places in Bavaria.

How would you classify the Wolfratshauser Welle in comparison?

Steffi Kastner

: An ultra-modern, attractive sports facility will be built here.

The Wolfratshauser Welle really doesn't have to hide from the other waves.

The mayor has already announced a desired date for the opening: from August 2022, surfing in Wolfratshausen should be possible.

What do you have to do in the meantime?

Steffi Kastner

: We are preparing the operation.

That’s another lot of work for our team, which we’re really looking forward to.

We have nothing to do with the construction project itself.

Marcus Kastner

: But that was clear from the start: the city takes care of the construction, we take care of the operation.

Parking space shortage: Surf wave initiators fear no traffic problems

How can we imagine that?

Marcus Kastner

: We have to make sure that a lifeguard is always on site.

And we will use a booking system so that a maximum of twelve people can use a period of 90 minutes together.

Then it's the turn of the next surfers.

Why did you choose this model?

At the Eisbach, for example, the principle, who comes first, surfs first, also applies?

Marcus Kastner

: We see several advantages in distributing these slots.

This means that we don't have long queues at peak times, everything is sorted out.

Steffi Kastner

: The system has other advantages: The volume of traffic remains low and the parking situation is also relaxed.

Marcus Kastner

: Not every athlete will come by car either.

We can absorb this well through the set times.

And from my experience on the surfboard, I can safely say: If you split 90 minutes for twelve, you are properly done afterwards.

Who can open the Wolfratshauser Welle?

Marcus Kastner

: I am clearly in favor of Steffi getting on the board first.

Lots of people got involved, but I don't think anyone put as much heart and soul into the project as she did.

Steffi Kastner

: (laughs) We'll talk about that again, please.