The fine, platinum-white sand is the "gold" of Lake Rodgau. It has been mined here for decades and sold all over the world – that's how the lake was created in the first place. And it's precisely this sand that attracts countless visitors to the popular beach every year.

But now the sand has some competition: One of the six floating islands in the lake is becoming a new favorite spot. The reason? Its surface is covered with Naturinform's sun-warmed Die Kompakteplanks. The pleasant feel, combined with the durable, easy-care surface, makes it the perfect place to lounge – right on the water.

A touch of the Côte d'Azur at Lake Rodgau

If it weren't for the typically German mixed forest on the other shore, you could easily feel transported to the Côte d'Azur. The water shimmers in a vibrant green-blue, reminiscent of the picturesque bays of the Mediterranean. Even the rock band Rodgau Monotones sang about "St. Tropez at the Baggersee" in their 1983 hit. It's no wonder, then, that the lido is known far beyond the region and attracts up to 200,000 bathers per season.

Island feeling with floating pontoons

In addition to the Mediterranean backdrop, the lido also offers a true island feeling. Six floating islands invite you to take a relaxing swim from the shore. The most spectacular of these is located about 50 meters away, extends over a generous 300 square meters—the size of a small garden—and even features a real tree.

Originally, the artificial island's metal structure was covered with conventional wooden planks. But since last year, a new, durable surface has provided a high-quality appearance and safety: the planks from Naturinform. "We wanted a permanent solution," explains Thomas Dursun, who is responsible for the Rodgau swimming pool at the city. "Every year before the start of the season, we had to sand and repaint the wood on the pontoons. Every seven to ten years, the planks had to be completely replaced. So we urgently looked for a more durable material."

Endurance test for the material – passed with flying colors

The wooden surfaces of the floating islands are exposed to extreme conditions every day. Waves, rain, and, of course, the numerous bathers cause a constant moisture load. Algae quickly grows on untreated wood, making the surface slippery. Furthermore, conventional planks are prone to warping, cracking, and splintering – a danger to bathers and a liability risk for the operator.

"The new planks are in a whole different league. After one winter and two swimming seasons, they still look almost new," Dursun reports enthusiastically. The key advantage: The planks are made of a high-quality wood composite that combines the natural look of wood with the advantages of an innovative, durable material.

Thanks to this special material composition, the planks are resistant to moisture and weather influences. Water beads up and rolls off the surface, ensuring the planks remain slip-resistant even when wet. Furthermore, there are no splinters or cracks – a crucial advantage for the safety of bathers.

With this robust and easy-care surface, the floating island is perfectly equipped for many more summers – and is giving the beach sand serious competition as the favorite spot at the Rodgau lido.

In harmony with nature

Although artificially created, the quarry lake in Rodgau is now a valuable refuge for people and nature. If you look closely, you can see arm-length carp leisurely swimming beneath the water's surface. Therefore, the environmental compatibility of the new flooring played a crucial role – not only to protect wildlife, but also for the benefit of bathers. Chemical cleaning agents for removing algae are taboo here, as are wood preservatives. One advantage of Naturinform planks: They require neither harmful care products nor varnishes. The factory-dyed planks are made of an environmentally friendly, durable wood composite material that does not contain fungicides or pesticides. The weather-resistant component is provided by a polyethylene component – a non-toxic and recyclable material. Naturinformis committed to sustainable production: Only PEFC-certified wood from ecologically managed forests is used – no tropical wood, no freshly felled trees, just high-quality sawdust from the timber industry.

Youth project realizes assembly

A sturdy plug-in system connects the planks to each other and to the base profiles – all without screws. This made it easy for even inexperienced hands to install the material: "The installation was carried out by participants in our local youth project," reports Thomas Dursun. "These are young people who haven't yet found an apprenticeship. Under the guidance of experts, they are gaining their first professional experience here." They received support from an experienced master carpenter. Dursun: "He was pleasantly surprised by how simple and well-thought-out Naturinform's system works."

Maximum safety thanks to anti-slip surface

The final choice fell on the Kompakte. This decking board offers two different surfaces: a finely grooved side and one with block stripes. Its length of up to 13 meters and a thickness of 26 millimeters make it particularly versatile. Another plus: The Kompaktehas achieved the highest slip resistance rating – R12 according to DIN 51130and Class C according to DIN 51097.This makes it ideal for damp outdoor areas such as pools, natural bathing areas, and, of course, the floating islands on Lake Rodgau.

Noble patina with natural color play

The new floating islands were finished in a warm brown. After installation, the material undergoes a visual maturation phase, similar to wood: Within the first four months, a fine patina forms, revealing silver and golden reflections depending on the light. While untreated wood quickly fades unevenly or develops dark spots, the colors of Naturinform planksremain permanently harmonious. "Our bathers are thrilled with the new surface," Dursun says happily. "Definitely the right decision."