Surfing in the concrete jungle of Munich

River surfing. Did you think it was impossible? Well, Munich fans of adrenaline and adventure boldly prove the opposite.

What to do if there is no ocean nearby, and the surfer inside you is asking to get out? Of course, find the nearest reservoir and look closely at it — what if there is such a wave on it that you need? Let's go together to Munich, where the Eisbach River flows right in the middle of the city. On one of its sections, a meter-high wave is formed, which, of course, local surfers living so far from the ocean could not pass by. So don't be surprised if, walking around Munich with a camera, you suddenly see people with boards and in full "hydro-exposure" trying to tame the wave under the city bridge.

The Eisbach River is a man-made two-kilometer arm of the Isar River, which flows through the English Garden and crosses several bridges. The river forms a standing wave about a meter high, which allows you to ride it as long as you can keep your balance. And since this is not a wild whirlpool, in summer you can often see a queue of surfers here.

However, surfing has been banned here for a very long time, although this has stopped few people. And in 2010, surfing in the very center of Munich became absolutely legal. For some time there was a discussion in the city about changing the bottom relief so that the river would become unsuitable for riding on boards, but the public managed to defend the wave and the right to ride it.

Only professionals can stay on the wave, and beginners are very rarely allowed to ride it. And often on the wave you can see a person in a full set of protection and in a helmet.

Now this place is very popular, and every year world-class competitions are held there.

Now the wave in the Munich English Garden is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year.