A Latvian company selling adventure

Latvian company Storm Adventures has created a unique innovation – the Beat the Storm horizontal wind tunnel combines entertainment with an educational experience. This technology lets users feel the power of hurricane force winds in a safe way while also learning about natural processes. The tunnel is intended for science and entertainment parks, and it allows for the wind speed to be regulated according to the age of the users and the desired intensity of the experience.

“People think they know what wind is and that they know it well. But do they, really? This is a unique adventure where visitors can feel the power of the wind starting from a mild breeze to a raging storm with speeds exceeding 44 m/s which is equal to a category 2 hurricane. Walking in winds of that speed will be a challenge, but experiencing it in a safe environment is very interesting. So, it is an exciting adventure on the one hand, but it is also a valuable way to understand the true power of nature and the potential risks during extreme weather conditions,” Rihards Dziedātājs, Project Manager at the company, explains.

Ingus Augstkalns, founder of the company and co-owner of the world renown vertical wind tunnel manufacturer AERODIUM Technologies, created this tunnel to give a broader audience the opportunity to feel the power of the wind without the need for special instructions or equipment. The tunnel is suitable for anyone: from the age of four to senior citizens.

“You don’t need to prepare in any special way to be able to use the horizontal wind tunnel. Visitors simply have to empty their pockets, remove any loose clothing and put on safety goggles. As a result, this adventure can be experienced by up to 600 people per hour,” Mr Dziedātājs reveals.

In addition to the hurricane simulator, Storm Adventures is also developing a wind museum franchise. This museum is an add-on for the wind tunnel experience offering fascinating educational material through which visitors can learn about the role of wind in natural processes and human life. The exhibits are dedicated to such topics as the role of wind in air circulation, distribution of seeds, bird migration, climate change, energy production and other practical applications. Visitors are also educated on the risks connected with storms and other natural disasters and what precautions to take. The company is constantly working on new interactive museum exhibits, such as an installation where visitors can “be the wind” by affecting digital projections with their body movement, for example, by creating a whirl of autumn leaves or snow.

The Storm Adventure story began in 2019 with a bold idea and 15 years of experience in the wind tunnel industry. Having addressed potential customers, the first customer was found in 2021. That same year the company joined the business incubator established by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) where it obtained financial support, as well as access to the innovation voucher programme. As a result, the horizontal wind tunnel, which is one of a kind in the world, was developed and installed at the Danfoss Science Park in Denmark. “We started out with experience under out belts and a completely new idea, but determined efforts and the right resources allowed us to transform it into a functioning product,” Mr Dziedātājs explains.

The company is ready to offer horizontal wind tunnel devices that can be installed indoors or outside as free-standing structures and are customised to the needs, available space and other parameters of customers across the world. 

Storm Adventures is proud that the wind tunnel idea was born in Latvia and more than 80% of its parts are manufactured right here in cooperation with Latvian companies. The company is looking confidently ahead as the technological potential of the horizontal wind tunnel is broad and it has already generated interest in the automotive, space and aviation industries.

Purchasing a horizontal wind tunnel is a significant investment for potential customers as the installation costs of one unit will reach around one million euros. Therefore, an important launchpad for further development of the company is the successful operation of the two existing installations that are powerfully demonstrating the product’s commercial viability and building its reputation on the international market. In order to expand their business opportunities Storm Adventures is actively participating in international trade fairs and engaging in negotiations with potential customers in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and other regions of the world with hopes of soon announcing the start of new projects. 

Information material prepared with the support of the European Regional Development Fund