Surfers Test New Munich Eisbach Wave
Munich, April 20 – Progress is being made at the Eisbach wave in Munich as various ramp constructions are being submerged and tested by surfers. The results of these trials will be submitted to the city. Viola Koegst reports that official surfing trials have resumed on the Eisbach wave. Since last weekend, tests have been conducted with approximately two dozen selected surfers.
The surfers are installing a different ramp construction into the water each day to create the wave, which is then tested by the team. These trials are expected to continue for four weeks, after which the findings will be presented to the city. Over the weekend, hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the surfers.
Background: A History of Unofficial Constructions and a Tragic Accident
The Eisbach has been a hub for Munich’s surfing scene since the 1980s, with various unofficial structures reportedly used over the decades to create a surfable wave. However, approximately a year ago, a fatal accident occurred when a woman died after her surfboard’s safety leash became entangled at the bottom, pulling her underwater.
Following this tragedy, surfing was temporarily banned. Last autumn, the city initiated a clean-up operation, removing gravel and moss from the riverbed. This action, however, resulted in the water flowing too quickly, preventing the formation of a natural wave.
City and Surfers Seek a Legal Solution
There has been considerable tension between surfers and the city due to repeated instances of ramps being installed overnight by surfers and subsequently removed by city authorities. The city administration considers these ramps illegal constructions, emphasizing the need for expert assessments to evaluate risks, clarify liability, and secure insurance to guarantee safety.
However, the city announced last week that it is actively working on a legally sound solution in collaboration with representatives from the surf community and experts from universities. The goal is to reinstate surfing on the Eisbach. Without artificial constructions, a wave would only form naturally for 30 to 40 days a year, depending on water inflow and underwater conditions.
Dominik Krause, the designated mayor, stated, “Surfing on the Eisbach is part of Munich’s lifestyle; the Eisbach wave is a landmark of the city of Munich.” This sentiment underscores the city’s commitment to finding a sustainable solution that allows surfing to continue safely and legally.
