The Eisbach is a small, two kilometer long, manmade river in Munich. It flows through the park known as the Englischer Garten, and is a side arm of the Isar River. A manmade wave has been created on one section. Swimming in the Eisbach is not technically allowed, but as the rule is not stringently enforced, swimmers can be seen especially on warm summer days. At least two people have drowned in the lower part of the Eisbach: a swimmer in 2003 and a non-swimmer, who may have slipped or fallen asleep near the river, in February 2007.
Surfing on the Eisbach
Just past a bridge near the Haus der Kunstart 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. 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. Since 2010 surfing has been officially permitted on the river. A new sign next to the wave warns that "Due to the forceful current, the wave is suitable for skilled and experienced surfers only." In previous years there has been an issue between the authorities, who threatened to demolish the wave, and a group of wave supporters who organized activities and a website to save the wave, including an online petition to leave the wave intact. Being a standing wave, it can be surfed for as long as one's balance holds, and in busy times a queue of surfers forms on the bank. In the past surfers tied a leash to the bridge to hold onto, but a sign announces that this is both dangerous and forbidden. The local surfers have forced the wave to break more cleanly, with increased height, by attaching ropes to the bridge which trail submerged planks, creating two large "U"-shapes. Such a shape makes the wave easier to surf for river surfers. There is a second standing wave on the Eisbach located a few hundred meters downstream further north in the Englischer Garten. The Eisbach is wider at this point, so the water flows more slowly and the wave is less demanding, which results in the wave being used by beginners to develop their surfing skills. Another wave for beginners is in near the Thalkirchen U-Bahn station. It has also been surfed since 1972, and it is wide enough to take a few surfers at a time. A third standing wave in Munich forms on the Isar itself near the bridge Wittelsbacherbrücke, but only at flood levels of the river. Due to the dirt, manure, and objects such as tree branches drifting in the floodwater in the first days after flooding, this wave is usually surfed only a few days after the water level has risen.
