Delight, adrenaline, and spectacle – these are the first associations that come to mind when we think of water shows. While dynamic stunts on e-foils, flyboards, and jetsurfs attract crowds of residents and tourists to urban waters, something much less spectacular, yet absolutely essential, unfolds in the background – logistics. Behind every minute of the show lie hours of precise planning, travel, equipment testing, and adapting to local conditions. What does this process look like in practice? How do the operating realities differ between Poland and Germany? And what needs to happen for a water show to go off as planned, safely, and with full swing?
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From idea to wave – initial discussions and planning
Organizing mobile water shows is an undertaking that begins long before the first participant steps onto the board. Collaborating with cities, municipalities, cultural centers, and event organizers is a multi-stage process. We begin with a site analysis. Not every lake, canal, or technical pool will meet the requirements for a show. It’s necessary to assess water depth, shore access, technical infrastructure, and the ability to provide suitable conditions for the public.
Differences between Poland and Germany often emerge at this stage. In Germany, prior consultations with local environmental authorities (Umweltamt) or water authorities (Wasserwirtschaftsamt) are much more common. In Poland, on the other hand, the approval process is less formal but requires greater local coordination, for example, with the Volunteer Water Rescue Service (WOPR), the fire department, or the reservoir manager.
Equipment, transport, people. What is the mobility of the shows like?
The undeniable advantage of mobile water shows is their flexibility. We can reach everything from city festivals in Berlin to intimate picnics on Lake Malta in Poznań. However, behind this mobility lies complex logistics: floating equipment, communication systems, generators, safety pontoons, dressing rooms for performers, sound systems… All of this must be road-ready and perfectly assembled in the new location.
The equipment is transported using delivery trucks and specialized trailers. For larger events, the production team can number up to a dozen people: equipment operators, technicians, lifeguards, and event coordinators. The entire team must operate like a precise mechanism, often under limited time and changing weather conditions.
It’s worth noting that infrastructural differences between countries have a real impact on preparations. German cities often offer better-developed waterfront infrastructure – piers, technical facilities, areas with access to electricity, and a planned spectator area.
Security and formalities – what are the legal and technical aspects?
Safety is the foundation of every water show. Whether the show takes place on the outskirts of Wrocław or on the Spree near Potsdam, a series of procedures are always in place. The technical team must reconnoiter the water area, check weather conditions, plan buffer zones, and designate areas for the audience.
Each event involves the preparation of a security plan that includes the presence of lifeguards, first aid kits, spatial markings, and an evacuation plan. In Germany, specialized insurance and risk documentation are also often required, especially for shows financed by municipal budgets.
The list of documents and activities that the organizer must secure typically includes:
- obtaining permits from water owners and/or city administration,
- ensuring the presence of lifeguards and law enforcement,
- reporting the event to local authorities (police, fire department),
- ensuring a sound system, security, and access to power,
- transporting and safely installing equipment,
- controlling public areas and designating safe zones.
Variable geography, single goal – a unique experience for spectators
The greatest challenge of mobile water shows is their variability. Every region, every city, and every water space presents unique conditions. A show on a canal in Wolfsburg, Germany, looks different, a show on a city beach in Bydgoszcz, and yet another against the backdrop of the historic buildings of Wrocław. Regardless of the location, however, the goal is the same: to provide audiences with unforgettable experiences, create an atmosphere of modern recreation, and inspire people to experience water in a completely new way.
Collaboration with cities, cultural institutions, and local event organizers shows that more and more local governments understand the potential of such events. Not only as attractions, but also as tools for promoting the region and building its brand.
If you want your city, festival, or institution to organize an event that will be talked about throughout the season, let’s talk.