Munich, February 4 – The surf community in Munich conducted an official preliminary test this morning near the Haus der Kunst to reactivate the stationary Eisbach wave. Alongside curious onlookers, Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) observed the two-hour effort, during which surfers used constructions like a board-like device to help the wave get going again. Surfer Tao Schirrmacher later described it as a “moderate success,” adding, “That’s why it’s a test; you have to work on it.”
Mayor Reiter: “Looks pretty good in parts already”
“It looks pretty good in parts already,” Reiter commented via “Instagram.” He expressed hope that the wave would soon be stable again. If successful, the city, in collaboration with the administration and the surf community, intends to establish a legally sound framework to enable surfing at the spot, both legally and safely.
Reiter assured BR24 that surfing would be made possible again, just as it was before. The Eisbach wave is an “integral part of Munich’s DNA.” The mayor also stressed that the wave would continue to be accessible without admission fees or commercialization.
Eisbach Wave: Previous Revival Attempts Unsuccessful
The world-famous Eisbach wave disappeared after the riverbed cleaning in October 2025, when the water level was lowered. Since then, the wave has not reformed. Several professors and researchers, including those from Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg, have been tasked by the city to find a way to reactivate it.
Some surfers took matters into their own hands: over Christmas, the wave temporarily returned after a ramp was illegally installed. For safety reasons, the device was removed. However, according to Reiter, good and constructive discussions are now underway.
Safety Paramount After Fatal Accident
Therefore, surfers are now allowed to try and generate their wave themselves. Reiter emphasized that any installations must be anchored to the ground, not with chains or ropes to the bridge. He referred to a tragic accident in April when a 33-year-old surfer died, highlighting that such incidents cannot be ignored.
Should the surfers’ installations prove safe, the mayor intends to commission a sworn expert or TÜV to approve the construction. At a press club meeting on Tuesday, prior to the test, the mayor expressed confidence that “wetsuits will be zipping back and forth” again by summer: “We will make it happen.”
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Source: BR24, City of Munich, Surf Community
