Despite being many hundreds of kilometres from the nearest ocean, Munich has a reputation as a surfing hotspot. Local surfers are a popular photo motif, a hit with visitors to the city, and are mentioned in almost every tourist guide on Munich.

River surfing in Munich is possible at three spots. They are:

• Eisbach at Haus der Kunst, on the edge of the English Garden, this is the main wave
• Floßlände in Thalkirchen, this is the beginners' surf wave
• River Isar at Wittelsbacherbrücke, only possible during high water

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Eisbach

The Eisbach is an artificial stream that runs through the English Garden, Munich's largest public park. The surf wave is located at the southern edge of the park, next to the Haus der Kunst. See the exact location on Google Maps. The wave is about 1 m high and about 12 m wide. The flow velocity is about 5 m per second. See photo right.

History:

The wave used to be unstable and sometimes disappeared for months at a time. However, several people in the wave rider community worked long and hard to understand the characteristics of the flow. By around the year 2000, after more than five years of trying, they were able to induce a wave that is stable over the long-term. This has been achieved by using planks of wood to shape the save. The planks are "hung" in the flow, suspended via ropes attached to the bridge arches. As a result of a predictable, surfable wave in the midst of a major city, the Eisbach wave has become seriously overcrowded. This has made surf life miserable for the old guard who made the continuous wave possible in the first place. Therefore, if you already are a good river surfer, please be courteous about using the wave.

Dangers:

If you are a beginner, don't even think about surfing here. The flow-braking rocks that the stream's builders set into the concrete of the riverbed are invisible but dangerous. Impacts on the rocks are hard and happen all the time after uncontrolled falls. The many injuries from the rocks have included the complete loss of a kneecap, a broken shoulder, and a ruptured main thigh aorta with near amputation of the leg. These accidents could force the city to close down the wave permanently. Consequently, all beginners face severe pressure from the experienced locals to injure themselves elsewhere. The above text is based on an article at eisbach.com.

Threat of removal of the wave:

In 2007, as in most years since the Eisbach was first built, there were a spate of deaths in the river. These included the deaths of an Australian tourist, a 61-year-old local teacher, and a PhD student at Munich university. These deaths prompted calls by a city council member to remove the wave. Naturally the local surfers were appalled at this idea, and they started a petition called save the Eisbach wave. In early 2008 the council finally decided not to remove the wave. The rationale being that nobody has actually died as a result of surfing here. The only deaths have been from swimmers. Surfers generally know what they are doing. Swimmers, however, are casual users are are often reckless. Surfing is now tolerated, but swimming is banned and offenders can be fined if caught.

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Floßlände

This is a wave on the canal that joins the Isarkanal with the Floßlände. The wave is perhaps around 50cm high, i.e. smaller than the one on the Eisbach. This makes it more suitable for beginners. To get to the wave take the U-Bahn to Thalkirchen, then walk upstream along the river for about ten minutes. Then turn right and find the canal that runs parallel. See the exact location on Google Maps.

Annual competition:

Since 2004 there has been an annual surf competition at this wave. It usually takes place on the last Saturday in July. In 2008 the date will be Saturday, July 26.

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Wittelsbacherbrücke

This is a wave that forms on the river Isar just downstream of the Wittelsbacherbrücke bridge in Isarvorstadt. This is just next to Zoozies cafe bar. See the exact location on Google Maps. The wave only appears during very high water, i.e. after lots and lots of rain. Usually it can't be surfed immediately because of all the junk that gets washed down with the floods. Surfing is only safe a few days after high water comes. The wave is only surfable for a few days a year (exact number not known).

Tube6 - Artificial surf wave construction plans:

In July 2005 the local Munich news was full of reports of plans to build "the perfect wave" at Wittelsbacherbrücke. The idea behind tube6 was to tap the unused water sports potential of the Isar's inner-city stretch, in cooperation with the city, and to provide surfers in Munich with legal facilities approved by the city council. If the €300k to €400k in sponsorship money could have been raised, the artificial wave system would have been installed in 2006. The ramps will be mechanically controllable so as to always create the perfect wave despite the river's changing water levels. The wave would have been suitable for surfing and rodeo kayaking. Right is an artists impression of what the wave would look like. Sadly these plans have not yet come to fruition, nor does it look like they will do any time in the near future.

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Learning to surf in Munich

As far as we know, surfboards can't be hired in Munich. This is probably because surfboards are too easily damaged on the rocky rivers. Either that or there is simply not enough demand.

Surfboards can be bought at the following Munich stores:

• Sport Schuster near Marienplatz
• Santoloco in the city center
• Planet Sports near Harras
• Online from Buster Surfboards (a Munich-based company)

It is recommended that beginners buy a 5'11" Bicsurf board. These boards are shaped so as to be stable for beginners to learn on. Plus they are made of plastic and thus are more resilient to the inevitable damage from bouncing off rocks. They cost around €250.

Advanced surfers are recommended a 5'11'' E-Type Semi Fish from Buster Surfboards. This board was designed by Munich locals specifically for use on the Eisbach wave. They are made of light but delicate fibreglass and cost around €400.

In the height of summer some surfers wear little more than a pair of board shorts. Others, however, wear a wetsuit. A 3mm/2mm neoprene wetsuit is suitable for the warmer half of the year. During the winter a 5mm/3mm including hood is recommended. Wetsuits cost around €150 to €300 and can be bought at the same stores as the surfboards mentioned above.

Surfing courses are apparently offered by: surfersspirit.com

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Further info

Related links:

• The online home of Munich surfers: Grossstadtsurfer 2000 e.V.
• Facebook group: 1st Munich Surfers
• Similar activity on the Eisbach: Bungee river surfing

Some of the best YouTube videos:

• Keep Surfing documentary trailer from pipelinepictures
• Promo for O'Neill surf gear
• Cool home made video - the song is "Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups
• Surfing the Eisbach naked - pretty funny
• Surfing the Eisbach in minus 7'C temperatures - madness

Looks great! My brother-in-law surfs on the Eisbach all the time. It's not as good as Hawaii, but hey. You can surf at night there too, it's not that much more difficult, and less crowded. It's always nice to see the people lining up nicely on either side of the wave and taking turns going in, very disciplined. Obviously, they're not old ladies with shopping carts in a hurry.

I heard they want to grill the Eisbach surf wave at night. Bring down a fence so nobody surfs from 10:30pm till 5am because of the dangers. Lack of light easy drowning.

I agree cause last year we were there and some of the surfies were stoned and not tometnion drunk and were surfing. One guy slipped in the wave.

That wasn't the drama but finding him further down stream was.

It's all fun and games but when you live close by like I do across the road parking will be more of a hassle, more rubbish left behind and so on. I can understand the locals getting grumpy about it but being Aussie this new artificial wave would be KOOL too!

Well if you look at the above post it say "adjustable wave structure" for the new wave at Wittelsbacherbrücke. If this is true then they could just adjust it to not form a wave during the night and a grate/fence wouldn't be needed. Also I'd think such a device would become a giant filter/screen for all the crap that floats down the river.

Who would have the control over the wave size? Power!

I think I will have to continue my plans of building my own surfboard again in the spring. Been meaning to do it for a few years now, this artificial wave looks like it will be the ideal spot to try it out on.

Next we need an artificial snowboard hill, complete with off-slope trees and powder. Or maybe I need to take up surfing for the summers.

We already have an artificial snowboard hill. See the Munich Skiarena on the Fröttmaninger Berg.

The annual Grossstadtsurfer Quiksilver Surf Competition is on this weekend if you're interested in checking out some surf action.

60 competitors will have a chance to win the title at the Quiksilver Munich Surf Open on July 22nd, 2006. This is the sixth event of its kind to determine Munich's best river surfer. The open competition, on the traditional location on the river near Thalkirchen, will once again be a magnet for international surfers and wave riders from Munich, as well as many interested spectators.

Have a look here: quicksilver surf comp for info in German. Or here: quicksilver surf comp for info in English.

It's next to the Thalkirchen camping ground, upstream from the zoo. Fun and chilled atmosphere guaranteed!

Cheers,
Chris

I saw surfboards in that quicksilver shop yesterday. Fookin 500+ yoyos for a board! Thats silly. Anyone know where you can pick up old junkers for river surfing for like 50 euros? I have been wanting to try making my own for some time and may yet try that.

Are people allowed to boogie board on the waves? I don't know how to surf, but I'm a fantastic boogie boarder.

Awsome man! This may even motivate me to get the Topolino kayak out the cellar.

Yesterday while sitting in our work cafeteria we were kept amused by three guys who pulled up in their car on Erhardtstraße and cool as you like stripped off into their swimming gear and with surf boards under their arms proceeded to stroll across the road as if they were on some beach somewhere instead of on a main road next to the Isar! Maybe they were heading to this "tube"?! Anyhow it was good entertainment.

Do you know if anyone offers surf lessons on the English Garden wave?

Once I source a board, I'm just gonna go out and try to learn it the old fashioned way. Just do it, watch and learn.

I did ask the people there once about learning and they were not very forthcoming with info.

Ah, well if you need a partner in crime, let me know - though I've never surfed at all before, so it could be a disaster.

I've just found the school which claims to organise surfing courses in Munich: http://www.surfersspirit.com.

I don't know any details, but it may be worth trying.

Take a few courses so you at least know how to control the board... that standing wave in EG is an accident waiting to happen; I wouldn't want to hit my head off the wooden beams that line the bank beside the wave.

I bought a surfboard last year, and went and gave the wave down in Thalkirchen a go. It didn't do too well, but will be back down there again this summer. There are usually plenty of other surfers around that are more than willing to offer advice. If you are just starting out, I wouldn't consider trying the wave in town. It's a little bit bigger, and has some nasty rocks on the run out.

If you are willing to travel, I have heard that there are some good courses run in Portugal and South West France. I may have a look into this myself, for a late summer holiday.

So who's up for some river surfing on the Isarkanal in Thalkirchen on Saturday?

Meet at 3pm on the platform at Thalkirchen U-Bahn, or directly at the surf wave.

Bring your own board or ask to borrow one.

Come to surf, or just sun bathe on the Wies'n and watch.

See Google Maps for directions and the TT gallery for more photos.

What would be the chances of someone lending me a board?

Sure thing. Or you can get one at Planet Sports at Harras, if you're feeling flush this week.

Not feeling flush i'm afraid, but I can definately borrow one I may be up for it. I will need the practice before we do any bungee river surfing.

Is that Google link correct? I thought it was on the Isar.

Sports Schuster do inflatable 'boogie-board-cum-surfboards' if you are just starting out and want a bit of a laugh on the wave first.

That Google Maps link is definitely correct. This isn't quite the Isar. It's the Isarkanal that runs parallel to the Isar.

And even more correct, it is the canal from the Isarkanal to the Flosslände.

Is this a permanent standing wave or is it dependent on particular conditions that only happen at particular dates/times?

JG

Didn't you read the title? Bob's turning it on at 3 on Saturday.

JayGee, in Winter they close the gates further up the river and this canal looks very flat and sad indeed ...in May time they open it up for the rafting and the surfers take advantage of it. this year the wave hasn't been as good as the previous year ...probably due to the poor snowfall this season.

fairly straightforward to find though ...it is the small footbridge closest to the campsite main entrance in Thalkirchen.

I am in. I dont have a board so maybe i could borrow someones. I have a few years ocean surfing experience which i am sure will be of next to no help trying this !

Does anyone actually have a board?

I have a board and am happy to share. Sharing one between more than three, however, will be a stretch. There must be another TT'er with a board out there, surely? If not, go buy one. €285 only. What's that? Less than half a day's work for the average Munich IT contractor.

so how was it? When's the video coming out?

Thanks to Tom17, Blimeygirl, Spuds, Kek, and SFOtoMUC for coming along, and to Hutcho for bringing the beers.

You guys are awesome!

great video, looks like you had a really fun time guys! Make me start my day bouncy...

Awesome video! I did better than it felt like I was doing...

Edit: Ok, I watched it again.. maybe not. I'll crack it next time!

if anyone wants a surfing lesson, i would like to offer my assistance when im next in Munich. I come there quite often, so if you have a surfboard, or can hire one, and while im there, i can use it as well , as i dont need one now in Prague, where i live. So PM me to get in touch.

cheers
S

So I went to the Surf area this weekend, because I was curious what it looked like with reduced flow. However, by Saturday, it was back to its normal rate, and people were surfing as usual.

However, I noticed something was amiss. I had noticed this a while back, but I thought it would be ‘fixed’ by now. The famous surfing wave appears to be broken. Whereas it used to be a continual smooth wave across the channel, now one half of it has just churning rapids. It is as if something underneath, which used to kick up the water, has shifted. It looks like it is more difficult to surf on that part now.

Will anything be done to fix this and restore the full wave? Does anyone know what happened?

maybe someone will chuck a couple of old bikes or shopping trollies in again soon

The wave doesn't occur naturally. It's created by surfers placing a wooden plank on the river bed. The board is attached via ropes to the bridge supports. It takes a bit of tweaking of the rope settings until a nice perfect wave is created. It was fine yesterday morning.

Does anyone know how much it cost to rent or buy a surf board ?

Anyone keen for a less crowded morning session.
It looks great fun, but also pretty dangerous.
anyone up for a session before work, around 7am - 8 am

Ok, i guess the whole morning thing is putting people off.
how about a surf anytime then
any takers

Could be you need to wait more than 32 minutes, for the (probably few) surfers that may be here to see your post.

It can also be pretty crowded at 7am. Lots of others also have the same idea of going before work. 9am is quieter.

Do you have a board, ugresonm?

yeah ive got all the equipment. i cant go 9 am tho, cause thats when i start work.
but will be amped for an evening session.
i finish around 19h30

any takers.

As arranged by PM, see you there 7am Tuesday 14th August.

According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung (very humble ten-line contribution) and one of the tabloids (splashed all over the front page) Thomas Köster, head of the English Garden administration, is requesting that the standing wave at Prinzregentenstrasse next to Haus der Kunst should be removed, citing among other reasons Ramnik's death earlier this year. He points out that the conditions at Wittelsbacherbrücke on the Isar can be altered so that a permanent wave is available there not just at flood level but at normal water level as well.

I solemnly swear that I had not contacted Thomas Köster regarding this proposal prior to its announcement.

There's a campaign and petition to save the Eisbach wave.

See the website: www.rettet-die-eisbachwelle.de

Also, just for fun, video of naked surfers on the Eisbach.

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