Surfing and narrow rivers aren’t just usually found in the same sentence, that is unless…you’re talking about the Eisbach in Munich, Germany. This famous river wave phenomenon is caused by water that comes gushing in from under the bridge into a 39-foot-wide channel, which is then caromed off right-angled concrete walls. Man-made concrete bollards and a system of ropes, along with pulleys as well as stopper planks, forces the water to crest, yielding the best waves you’ll ever find in the middle of a busy city street. Continue reading for another video and more information.
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. Surfing is now officially allowed. 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 have been issues 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.
