Why Did the Beloved Waves of Munich Disappear for Surfers?

Eisbach River Flows Through the English Garden
Artificial Waves Bring Christmas Surfing

Tensions are escalating between surfers and city authorities over the Eisbach River, located within Munich's famed English Garden.

On December 29, AP and AFP reported that surfers in Munich are in conflict with local authorities after waves disappeared from a river, making it impossible for them to surf there.

Surfer enjoying surfing on the Isar River in Munich. Photo by AFP

The Eisbach River, which flows through the English Garden, has been a beloved surfing spot since the 1980s. Initially, surfing was banned due to safety concerns, but in the 2010s, it was partially permitted and has since been enjoyed by both residents and tourists.

The waves disappeared in October after city authorities carried out maintenance work on the riverbed. After removing sediment, gravel, and debris, the iconic waves of the river vanished completely. Although surfers and the city began discussions about restoring the waves, some surfers, frustrated by the slow administrative process, took matters into their own hands.

On Christmas Day, December 25, someone secretly installed pillars on the riverbed of the Eisbach to artificially create waves. At the site, surfers hung a "Merry Christmas!" banner and enjoyed riding the waves for the first time in a while.

Upon learning of this, city authorities dispatched firefighters early in the morning of December 28 (local time) to remove the pillars from the riverbed, causing the waves to disappear once again. Munich city officials explained that the pillars were removed due to safety concerns. They further stated, "The city must not and cannot tolerate unauthorized structures on the Eisbach waves."

Safety concerns have long been a subject of debate. In May, a 33-year-old surfer died after being unable to free his board leash caught on the riverbed. Following this incident, authorities have reviewed surfing conditions and the standards for installing structures even more strictly.

The Munich surfing community is pushing back, claiming that the city is being excessively passive. One group criticized, "The city is dragging out the process by imposing excessive conditions for wave restoration." The club stated that approximately 30,000 to 50,000 local surfers have used the Eisbach River.