Catch a wave with castle views this weekend in Prague

Surfing on a river wave, rafting, kayak cross, and more water sports are coming to the heart of Prague with the opening of the Vlny Štvanice complex on Saturday, April 6.

A large day-long event will allow visitors to try activities like river surfing, paddleboarding on the Vltava River, e-foiling and kayaking on the canal. Children’s programs, slacklining, surf skating, exercise classes, live music, and DJs are also planned.

"After the first year of operation, we are opening the entire area to the general public. We want it to become another revitalized space on this island in the middle of Prague," said Martin Leskovjan, chairman of the Vlny Štvanice association.

The program runs from 10 a.m. to midnight. From 5 p.m., there will be a debate titled Štvanice 2.0: Mapping the Future of the Island with politicians and architects discussing development plans for the area. Architect Radek Kolařík will present a visualization of a renovation project for Štvanice Island.

Last year, the complex’s river surfing wave (the project is called Waves of Štvanice in English) attracted nearly 1,400 surfers. This season, it will offer year-round boat rentals, courses, a workshop, the River Surf Bar, and surfing for all levels.

Paddlers and surfers founded the Vlny Štvanice Association in 2023. Its goal was to turn the former army training track area into a water sports park accessible to the public. It operates not only a river surf wave but also as a whitewater course.

Leskovjan, the founder of Vlna Štvanice, is a slalom racer and active boater; in the past, he co-founded the non-profit organization Paralelní Polis and is also a member of the artistic group Ztohoven. Another leading force behind the project is Jan Vondra, the coach of the national slalom team. Volunteers and water sports enthusiasts fully finance its activities without public subsidies.