A dispute over the disappearance of Munich's famous Eisbach river surfing wave has intensified after authorities removed a beam placed by activists on Christmas Day to recreate the attraction. The wave, located on a side branch of the Isar River in the Englischer Garten park, had been a landmark since the 1980s but vanished in October following annual riverbed cleanup work.
Activists installed a beam in the water early on 25 December to partially restore the wave, hanging a banner reading “Merry Christmas”. However, a Munich fire service spokesperson confirmed the “installation” was removed on Sunday at the request of city authorities. This is the latest in a series of attempts by activists to reinstate the wave, all of which have been reversed.
The local surfers' association, Interessengemeinschaft Surfen in München (IGSM), announced on Thursday it had abandoned its campaign to save the wave, accusing city authorities of delaying. The Eisbach wave was considered the largest and most consistent river wave in a major city, attracting thousands of surfers. IGSM head Franz Fasel noted in July that 3,000 to 5,000 local surfers used it.
Access to the wave had been cut off for several months earlier this year following the death of a 33-year-old surfer who became trapped underwater at night. The wave's disappearance has sparked ongoing tensions between surfers and city officials.
