Surfers have returned to the Eisbach River wave. Three months after the tragic accident that killed a 33-year-old surfer, Munich’s iconic surf break reopened with new rules.

The Eisbach, or “ice brook,” is a human-made wave on an arm of the Isar River where water rushes fast and cold, especially in wintertime.

Surfers from all over the world ride it year-round as spectators watch, surprised and intrigued, from the bridge above.

Whether you’re a surfer or not, you can easily stand up there for hours witnessing the show.

The Eisbach surfing scene is part of what Munich is.

But in April, dark clouds covered the legendary German wave when a young woman drowned during a late-night surf session.

The accident happened just after 11:30 p.m. A couple, both experienced surfers, had come to ride under floodlights.

However, for unknown reasons, the woman’s leash got stuck underwater.

The current was strong. Despite the efforts of her partner and emergency crews, only specialized rescue divers were able to pull her out.

Sadly, she passed away a week later in the hospital.

Unexplained Tragedy

In the aftermath, the city launched an investigation, lowered the water level, and searched the riverbed.

What could have kept the surfer from getting to the surface?

While a few small metal objects were recovered, experts found no clear link between them and the accident.

The local surfing community and the family of the victim mourned the life that had been lost. Similar accidents had occurred, but somehow surfers always had found a way to detach from the leash and board.

Prosecutors concluded the city bore no criminal responsibility.

Still, city officials took action. The wave was closed temporarily.

The decision sparked protests from the surfing community, and a petition was run with local surfers pushing hard for a quick reopening.

Among them was Maximilian Malsy-Mink, who co-authored an open letter to Mayor Dieter Reiter urging the city to bring back the beloved wave.

New and Tighter Rules

Last week, surfers got their wish – the Eisbach is open again, but under tighter rules.

Surfing is now only allowed between 5:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., putting an end to night sessions.

The minimum age is now 14, and all surfers must use a quick-release leash, a different type of legrope for river surfers that lets riders detach from their boards in an emergency.

It makes sense. Helmets are not mandatory, but their use is wise. After all, it’s always better to be a bit more conservative when it comes to safety.

Also, only experienced and physically fit surfers are allowed in the water, and they must be accompanied by a fellow surfer or companion.

“These rules are largely reasonable,” said Franz Fasel, who heads the local surfers’ group, Interessengemeinschaft Surfen in München (IGSM).

The association worked closely with the city to shape the new guidelines.

Munich Is Surfing

Fasel estimates that between 3,000 and 5,000 local surfers regularly ride the Eisbachwelle. That’s more than many Southern European and California surf towns.

“Surfing is part of Munich’s lifestyle,” he said. “It’s not just for the surfers. It’s part of the city’s image.”

And it’s true.

From its rebellious roots in the 1980s when surfers illegally modified the riverbed to boost the wave to its current status as a top city attraction promoted by Munich’s tourist office, the Eisbach has become a fixture of urban surf culture.

Movies have been made; world champions and global stars have ridden it.

Mayor Reiter welcomed the return of the wave with a nod to fun and responsibility: “Have fun on the wave and take care.”

As word of the reopening spread, surfers wasted no time.

That evening, boards waxed and the water filled again with surfers unleashing their carves and skate-style tricks on the fast-flowing standing wave.

Just steps from busy streets and world-class museums, including Haus der Kunst, Munich’s surf scene is alive again and maybe just safer than before.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com