Eisbach wave missing in Munich: Where have the surfers gone?

Eisbach wave missing in Munich: Where have the surfers gone?

The Eisbachwelle in Munich, a true mecca for surfers and passionate wave riders, has no longer been surfable for a few days. This popular spot, prized for its consistent water flow and impressive wave height for over 40 years, is literally stunning right now. How Radio lip reports, the Eisbach wave attracts surfers from all over the world every year and offers the opportunity to let off steam on the board all year round. But recently there have been serious problems with the water level.

The current situation is anything but pleasant. At the weekend all that was visible from the wave was white foam, instead of the usual roaring wave. Franz Fasel, chairman of the Surfing Interest Group in Munich (IGSM), stated that initial repair attempts had already been made to temporarily increase the water depth. How Augsburger Allgemeine explained, the goal is to rebuild the wave and test its stability, especially at a normal water level of 1.50 meters. However, the current water level of the Eisbach is only 1.21 meters, which is simply too low for surfers.

The reasons for the disappearance

The causes of the passing wave are still unclear. According to the city of Munich, no structural changes in the area can be reported. Instead, a fault in a weir or changes in the stream bed could play a role. The building department of the city of Munich clarified that the low water level was caused by a lack of water in the Isar and the need to stabilize the water system after the annual stream sweeping. There have been several successful construction cases in the past where the wave quickly rebuilt after the stream clearing work.

The question that concerns surfers: Will the wave reopen on time? A first attempt to reactivate the wave is said to be planned for the coming days, and a floodlight mast has also been installed to increase safety during any rescue operations. Nevertheless, the mood among the surfers remains tense. A fatal surfing accident in April this year, in which a 33-year-old surfer died, continues to cause unease. Following the incident, the wave was closed before being reopened to surfers in late June under new safety rules.

Alternatives in the area

Despite the current dilemma, there are alternatives for local surfers. The Dianabad threshold offers a beginner's wave and offers those who do not rely on the Eisbach wave the opportunity to continue surfing in the city area. An alternative location on the Isar in Thalkirchen could also serve as a replacement. There is also an emerging trend in Germany to create more and more “standing waves” in urban rivers. Cities like Pforzheim and Nuremberg already offer such waves, and Hanover is also planning a new one. How Travel reporter notes, opens up the possibility that surfers will be able to live out their passion on special river waves in several cities in Germany in the future.

In the meantime, there remains hope and anticipation that the Eisbach wave will return soon, and the surfers are keeping their fingers crossed that the repair attempt will soon bear fruit and that the wave will not only return, but also remain permanently. After all, the Eisbachwelle is one of the iconic surfing spots in Germany and is not only popular with the surfing community - tourists are also drawn to this special place from far away.