Eisbach Wave

Sport Munich, Germany

The Eisbach (German for "ice stream") is a small artificial river in Munich. It flows through the Englischer Garten park, and is a tributary of the River Isar. Along its course there is a stationary wave much loved by surfers.

Just past a bridge near the Haus der Kunst art museum, the river forms a standing wave about one metre high which is a popular river surfing spot. The water is cold and shallow—sometimes only 40 cm deep—making it suitable only for experienced surfers and playboaters (whitewater kayakers). The wave is predominantly used by surfers, and animosities of surfers towards kayakers have occasionally been reported. The wave has been surfed by river surfers since 1972, and surfing competitions have even been held. Due to the more recent development of playboating, kayakers have only more recently—and so far not in great numbers—started to surf the wave.