Skip to content

Munich’s iconic Eisbach wave disappears—but a gravel fix could bring it back

A handshake over lunch made it legal. Now, Munich’s beloved wave faces its biggest test yet. Can gravel revive the surfers’ paradise?

In this image we can see a person surfboarding in the water.
In this image we can see a person surfboarding in the water.

Permitted Surfing on the Eisbach Wave: Deal at Lunch - Munich’s iconic Eisbach wave disappears—but a gravel fix could bring it back

Munich’s famous Eisbach wave has vanished after recent maintenance work. Authorities now plan to restore it by adding gravel to the riverbed. The wave, a global surfing hotspot, first became legal thanks to an unusual deal between two politicians over lunch.

Surfers began riding the Eisbach wave in Munich long before it had official approval. For years, they flouted the rules, turning the spot into a cultural landmark.

The Eisbach wave’s return will depend on the success of the restoration work. Once revived, it will remain a key part of Munich’s urban culture. The wave’s legal status, secured by a simple handshake years ago, still stands today.

Read also:

Latest