A long-running dispute over one of Europe's most famous urban surfing spots has intensified after city officials in Munich removed a makeshift structure erected by activists.
Christmas intervention fails to save landmark wave
The iconic Eisbach wave, a man-made feature on a side channel of the Isar river within Munich's Englischer Garten park, has been a beloved landmark for surfers since the 1980s. However, the wave mysteriously vanished in October following routine maintenance work on the riverbed. In response, determined local surfers took matters into their own hands on 25 December, installing a beam in the water to partially restore the surfing conditions.
Their festive protest, which included a banner wishing the city "Merry Christmas," was short-lived. A spokesperson for the Munich fire service confirmed that the unauthorised installation was removed on Sunday at the request of the city authorities. This marks the latest in a series of attempts by the surfing community to reinstate the wave, all of which have been swiftly reversed by officials.
Surfing association abandons campaign
The local surfers' group, the Interessengemeinschaft Surfen in München (IGSM), has now publicly conceded defeat. In a statement posted on its website on Thursday, the association announced it was ending its campaign to save the wave. It accused the Munich city administration of deliberate procrastination and a lack of constructive engagement.
Franz Fasel, the head of the IGSM, had previously highlighted the wave's significance, telling AFP in July that it was used by between 3,000 and 5,000 local surfers. The Eisbach was renowned as the largest and most consistent river wave located in the heart of a major city, drawing both residents and tourists to Bavaria's capital.
A history of access issues and tragedy
This is not the first time access to the wave has been restricted. Earlier in 2024, surfing was prohibited for several months following a tragic incident. A 33-year-old woman from Munich died after becoming trapped underwater while surfing at the spot at night.
The repeated removal of the activists' structures and the perceived inaction from the city have left Munich's surfing community feeling foiled and frustrated. The future of the wave, once a vibrant symbol of the city's unique culture, now appears uncertain, flattened not by nature but by bureaucratic decision.
