A New Wavegarden Under Construction In The Swiss Alps
What do offshore bank accounts, fondue, skiing, and synthetic surf have in common?
Barrels in the shadow of the Matterhorn? Yup. The proliferation of surf parks continues unabated as a new Wavegarden project is officially underway in, of all places, the Swiss Alps.
Announced last week, Wavegarden and Alaïa SA, a Swiss company that runs an action sports center in the Alps, will be developing the Alaïa Bay project. Like URBNSURF in Melbourne, Australia, and The Wave in Bristol, England, the surf will be generated using the Wavegarden Cove technology.
Construction of the lagoon, which will be over 90,000 square feet, has already begun. They’re looking to open to the public in early 2021. In a zone known for its world-class skiing, this will, obviously, be the first wave in the area. The Alaïa facility already boasts a legit skatepark and contemporary lodge.
“This is a historic moment and I am still having a hard time realizing that this project that we were dreaming about for so long is actually coming true,” Adam Bonvin Bonvin, co-founder of Alaïa SA, said in a press release. “Swiss surfers will finally be able to indulge in their passion in Sion, Valais. It will now be possible to ski/snowboard, skateboard and surf on the same day.”
The press releases estimates there are 40,000 wave-hungry Swiss surfers frothing out and waiting for the tide to rise on this development. It also pointed to more Wavegarden facilities in the works in South Korea, Brasil, Scotland and the U.S.
“A Wavegarden Cove in the heart of the Swiss Alps is going to be a big draw for the region and we are proud to work with the team at Alaïa SA, who share our company’s vision to bring great waves to people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to them,” Fernando Odriozola, Wavegarden’s Chief Commercial Officer, said.
Waves in Europe’s most famous mountain range, what a time to be a surfer.
