The Eisbach wave was one of Munich’s most popular attractions. Surfers came here to plunge into the water in this channel of the Isar, tourists and other onlookers came to watch. However, after the big stream sweep in October, the wave did not want to build up again. Surfers and the city looked for a solution, but nothing brought it back permanently. This is now set to change and the rescue of the wave seems to be within reach. Will it soon be possible to surf the Eisbach wave again?
The mysterious disappearance of the Eisbach wave
It’s actually a standard procedure: The water in Munich’s streams and canals is regularly drained to remove sediment and debris that accumulates in the beds over time. This is what happened to the Eisbach in the English Garden in October 2025. After the water returned to its former level, the wave should have built up again, or so it was expected. But nothing happened. The wave remained.
The city and surfers soon got together to get to the bottom of the matter and find solutions. The surfers suspected that too much gravel had been removed when the stream was cleared. Rumors later arose that the wave was only caused by illegal installations that had been removed during the cleaning. Ultimately, it remains unclear how the wave actually disappeared.
New model project to save the Eisbach wave
Around Christmas, it was briefly possible to surf on the Eisbach again. Members of the surfing community had placed a ramp in the stream without permission, which made it possible to build up the wave. The joy was short-lived, however, as the fire department removed the ramp again. As a result, the dialog between the surfers and the city came to a standstill.
A crisis meeting has now been held between Mayor Dieter Reiter and the surfing community and an agreement has been reached. As part of a pilot project, surfers will be allowed to bring the wave back with the help of installations. The city undertakes the technical and structural investigations necessary for reconstruction, on the condition that the surfers themselves are liable in case of doubt. The city will also ensure that the relevant control centers are available 24/7 for emergencies.
The exact start date has not yet been set, but spring seems realistic. A follow-up meeting between the Lord Mayor and the surfers is due to take place in February. If the trial is successful, hopefully you will be able to surf the Eisbach wave again this year.