When thinking of Munich, rather stereotypical images of beer, sausage and Oktoberfest outfits often come to mind. Surfing in a river certainly does not. A city located 500 kilometers from the coast and 1,100 kilometers from any surfable waves, it’s hard to believe that an extreme sport like this is possible within an urban setting.
River Surfing in Munich.
Walking through the English Gardens (Englischer Garten auf Deutsch), you get a general sense that locals love soaking up the rays in the Eisbach River.
Take for example, these boys waving an enthusiastic hello when they spied me taking photos.
This guy even looks like he’s perfecting his surfing moves. Whooo hooo!
While these older men lazily floated along the river’s strong current.
Yet there’s one place where the current is especially strong. Located below a six lane highway in Munich, enthusiasts from around the world come to surf the one meter wave.
They surf by day and even at night, much to the admiration and respect of onlookers like myself. I was amused to see a bride-to-be celebrating her bachelorette party personally congratulate this surfer while others watched from the bridge above.
Although it may look like a fun thing to do (even little old me was tempted to jump on a board and give it a go), only experienced athletes are allowed to surf in the narrow 12 meter wide river. Water flows at a fast and furious pace of around 25 square meters per second!
It’s easy to get caught up in all the action and stand there for hours staring at this very weird and wonderful site. I stayed for about an hour and snapped more than 150 photos!
River surfing is regarded as a new sport by some but the river surfing in Munich has been happening since the 1970’s. There’s even a strong Munich Eisbach river surfing community and the Santoloco Surf and Skate Shop which sells specialized boards for surfers eager to hit the river wave.
In fact, the surfers are so hard core that they even surf during winter months. You can see the crazy surfers in action in this video.
To really get a feel for what it’s really like, give this river surfing video a watch or best of all, go see it for yourself.
Looking for other strange things to do in Munich? Then check out this Michael Jackson memorial.
English Garden
80538 München, Germany
You’re right — Surfing in a river in Munich …. never would have thought of that. That is so cool. Looks like a great time! Great photos.
Debbie – Thanks for your kind comments. It’s one of the most awesome things ever!
This is really fascinating. I think if I stumbled upon this I would have stayed for more than an hour snapping photos as well. I’ve never heard of river surfing. Of course I live next to the Mississippi River and, well, that’s not exactly the type of river to surf!
Lance – Agree. It’s awesome that you can surf in a middle of a city. 🙂
Who knew?? I never saw this on my trips to Munich. I have friends heading there next month – rushing off to share this with them now… BRILLIANT.
Chasing the Donkey – If you go back, you HAVE to check it out. Apparently, they even surf during the winter! 🙂
And thanks for sharing. Hope your friends will enjoy the fun.
Surfing in a river is definitely a weird concept!
Ali – Yeppers! Weird but super fun and totally cool. 🙂
I’ve seen something similar in Berne (Switzerland) where people just float down the river on the current.
Never heard about this in Munich though.
I’ve heard of river tubing not river surfing. How bizarre!
In a bizarre coincidence I also wrote about the river wave in Munich. Which isn’t all that odd as it is quite a cool unique thing to go see. The coincidence is we published on the exact same day! Great photos!
Rob – That sounds great as well. I’d love floating down the river like that! 🙂
Stephanie – It’s so awesome! 🙂
James – Ha ha, funny!
Great story! What an intriguing phenomenon! I am sure that surfers love having access to a wave in the center of the city and I can’t help but wonder if some travel to Munich just to surf it?
Mary – Thank you so much! Appreciated. 🙂
I bet some do come just for the surfing. It’s a challenge so I’m sure that draws them in.
This is really interesting and not to mention quite creative. Who says surfing is only on the beach now, right? ??
Yes, it’s very creative and very cool!