Munich Entrepreneur Offers Private Funds to Restore Eisbach Wave
Munich, January 18, 2026 – The world-renowned Eisbach wave in Munich, a popular attraction for surfers and tourists alike, has been out of commission since October 2025. Now, a local entrepreneur has announced his readiness to finance the wave’s restoration and ensure its future operation.
The disappearance of the Eisbach wave, located beneath the Prinzregentenstrasse bridge in the English Garden, has become a significant local political issue. Munich’s Mayor Dieter Reiter (67, SPD) has personally engaged with surfer representatives, including the ‘Interessengemeinschaft Surfen in München’ and the ‘Münchner Surfclub,’ to discuss solutions for the wave’s return.
Restoration Challenges and Financial Burden
The discussions have highlighted substantial challenges, including the technical aspects of restoring the wave, liability issues during operation, and emergency response protocols. All proposed solutions come with significant costs, raising questions about who will bear the financial responsibility.
Aljoscha Lubos, a Munich hospital entrepreneur, has now stepped forward with a concrete offer. “I want to save the Eisbach wave,” Lubos told BILD. He expressed his willingness to finance the necessary construction to restore the wave and to cover the costs of lifeguards to ensure safety.
Lubos estimates the construction costs at approximately 250,000 Euros. Monthly personnel costs for lifeguards could reach up to 20,000 Euros, he believes.
Entrepreneur’s Plan: Leasing the Wave
Lubos envisions a model where he would lease the wave, similar to a privately run swimming pool. This would involve a contract with the city and the administration of the English Garden.
Explaining his motivation, Lubos stated, “I live in Lehel, near the Eisbach. My clinic is in Bogenhausen. I pass the wave every day.” He added, “I want to do this because it is a part of Munich for me.”
Lubos, the managing director of the Lubos Clinics in Munich, founded by his father, plans to meet with surfer representatives next week to present his proposal.
History and Recent Developments of the Eisbach Wave
Surfing on the Eisbach, which began in the 1970s, evolved into a globally recognized attraction despite being technically prohibited by English Garden regulations. In 2010, the City of Munich took responsibility for the wave to establish a legal framework for its use.
The wave vanished after the annual riverbed clearing in October 2025, during which excessive sediment was removed from the Eisbach’s bed. This incident sparked intense debate over the wave’s reconstruction.
The discussion is further complicated by a tragic incident in April 2025, when a 33-year-old woman drowned after her surfboard’s leash became entangled, pulling her underwater. While investigations by the public prosecutor’s office found no fault on the part of the city, liability issues have since gained significant importance.
Lubos is also a political candidate, running for the FDP on lists for the Munich City Council and the district committee of his neighborhood. He may be directly involved in addressing the Eisbach issue from May onwards.
Source: BILD
