Munich's surfers left stunned as iconic water surge vanishes

A stationary surge in a Munich stream that has been a wave-riding hotspot for over 40 years has disappeared, stranding city wave riders without their waves.

The water volume in the Eisbach were lowered last week for yearly maintenance along the streambed.

However, once the gates reopened and the stream resumed flowing again on Friday, the Eisbach wave did not form as usual.

"We're baffled," wave rider Klaus Rudolf told a publication. "I was standing at the bank with my board on Friday evening and couldn't believe it."

The river surge in the city park has become a landmark in the southern German city since unofficial wave riders in the 1980s turned it from an occasional natural phenomenon to a permanent surfable presence.

City officials vow quick solution

"Local government is cooperating with the water authorities and wave enthusiasts to find a quick solution so that the renowned water surge will return shortly to its normal state," the city's mayor announced this week.

Exactly why the surge disappeared was still unknown as of this week, according to municipal representatives.

The latest maintenance removed obstructions from the streambed and inspected the waterway.

"No structural changes were made to the river surge or its banks throughout the maintenance," the city said, and an examination of the location Monday showed no structural issues.

Recovery attempts underway

Officials plan to divert more water from the nearby river into the Eisbach in hopes the surge returns.

The Eisbach wave is widely regarded as the biggest and steadiest river wave in the center of a large urban area, and has grown into a visitor draw in Bavaria's state capital, which is otherwise known for beer and sausage at the yearly festival.

Franz Fasel, leader of the wave riders' group the surfing organization, told news agencies in summer that 3,000 to 5,000 local surfers frequent the river surge.

"Wave riding is part of the lifestyle in the city," he said. "Not only for the surfers themselves, but also for the city's image."

Safety measures established following recent incident

At the time, the river surge had just reopened after a lengthy shutdown following the spring tragedy of a 33-year-old Munich woman who became trapped beneath the water while riding waves after dark.

After returning to use, updated regulations banned night-time surfing and set a minimum age of 14 to enter the stream.