The famed Eisbach river wave in Munich, a popular destination for river surfers worldwide, has been temporarily closed following a serious accident. The closure, initiated by local authorities, comes after a woman was severely injured while surfing the standing wave in the Englischer Garten park on Wednesday evening.
The Eisbach wave, or Eisbachwelle, is a man-made surf feature created in 1972 by placing concrete blocks beneath a bridge to redirect the strong current of the Eisbach River. It has become a staple for surfers, drawing enthusiasts from around the globe. Despite the wave’s popularity, river surfing in Munich only became legal in 2010, after the city lifted a ban that had been in place for decades.
According to the Munich Fire Department, the incident occurred when the female surfer fell from her board and became trapped by her leash, which caught on the riverbed. The strong current made it impossible for bystanders to assist, and the woman was left stranded for nearly 30 minutes. Firefighters eventually managed to free her and performed life-saving procedures before transporting her to the hospital. She remains in critical condition, though the latest updates have not confirmed her current status.
Following the incident, the Eisbach wave has been cordoned off with caution signs, and city officials have indicated that they will be reviewing safety measures before allowing the site to reopen. At present, no official timeline has been provided for when the wave might become accessible again.
This incident is a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with river surfing. It echoes a similar tragedy in 2022 when a 17-year-old surfer drowned in a standing wave on the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon, after his foot became caught in the shaping devices used to create the wave. As such incidents continue to highlight the risks of the sport, calls for enhanced safety protocols are expected to grow.
The fate of the Eisbach wave will remain under review as city officials assess the safety measures currently in place and consider potential adjustments to reduce the likelihood of further accidents.