Munich's surfers left shocked as iconic water surge vanishes

A stationary surge in a Munich stream that has been a surfing magnet for over four decades has disappeared, leaving urban surfers without their waves.

Water levels in the "ice brook" were lowered recently for yearly maintenance along the river bottom.

But when the barriers were removed and the stream resumed flowing last Friday, the Eisbach wave did not form as usual.

"We're at a loss," wave rider Klaus Rudolf stated to a publication. "I stood at the bank with my board on Friday night and was astonished."

The river surge in the city park has grown into an icon in the Bavarian city since rogue surfers in the eighties transformed it from an sporadic water event to a consistent surfing spot.

City officials vow quick solution

"The city administration is working with the water authorities and surfers to find a quick solution so that the famous surf wave will soon be available again as usual," the city's mayor said in a statement Tuesday.

The precise reason the wave vanished remained unclear on Tuesday, according to city officials.

The recent work removed obstructions from the waterway bottom and inspected the waterway.

"No alterations were performed on the river surge or its banks throughout the maintenance," the authorities stated, and an examination of the location Monday showed no any damage.

Recovery attempts in progress

Authorities intend to redirect additional flow from the nearby river into the Eisbach in hopes the wave reappears.

The Eisbach wave is generally considered the biggest and steadiest river wave in the heart of a major city, and has become a tourist attraction in Bavaria's state capital, which is typically recognized for beer and sausage at the yearly festival.

Franz Fasel, head of the local surfers' association IGSM, informed AFP in July that thousands of local surfers use the Eisbach wave.

"Wave riding is part of the lifestyle in Munich," he said. "Not just for the surfers themselves, but also for the urban identity."

Safety measures implemented after recent incident

Previously, the river surge had just reopened after a months-long closure following the spring tragedy of a 33-year-old Munich woman who got caught under the surface while riding waves after dark.

After returning to use, new safety rules banned night-time surfing and set a minimum age of fourteen to brave the water.