Walk, walk, walk! That’s what I like to do in cities everywhere. Sometimes you come across the unexpected like I did on my European trip last month. I found surfing in Munich!
Surfing in Munich?
Riding the Wave on the Eisbach in Munich
In Winter?
Snow Flurries in the Air – It’s Winter!
Enough of Me — Back to the Surfers
Living close to the Pacific Ocean in Northern California, I’ve often seen surfers braving the waves at Half Moon Bay, but most people wouldn’t expect to find them on a narrow waterway in the middle of a major city — especially in the winter. But these surfers come here year-round. In the winter, the water temperatures can dip to about 39°F/4°C. A little chilly for me.
Jumping in!
The surfers come here day and night. The close proximity of the concrete banks seems like it would be dangerous enough in the daytime, let alone at night. The unusual venue also requires a challenging move to enter the stream. Surfers jump in from the side with their boards landing in position in the water and the surfer landing on the board. It looks like a more difficult way to get started than in normal surfing.
Surfing on the Eisbach in Munich
Surfers have been coming here since the 1970s when the wave was created by concrete blocks dropped into the water under the bridge to control the current of the Eisbach, a man-made tributary of the Isar River that runs through the Englischer Garten, Munich’s largest public park. Until recent years, surfing was technically banned, but the ban was not strictly enforced. Now, although swimming is forbidden, Munich’s mayor Christian Ude has enthusiastically approved surfing, primarily because it has become a tourist attraction.
Surfing on the Eisbach in Munich
It was certainly a surprise to come across surfing in Munich in December and it was quite enjoyable to watch. There is another surfing location in Munich on the Flosslände River which I’ve been told is a more appropriate spot for beginners. An annual surf competition is held there as well.
Surfing on the Eisbach in Munich
Maybe I’ll try surfing at one of these places sometime in the summer. Or not.
Surfing on the Eisbach in Munich
This is my contribution to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox.
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It’s amazing what governments will put up with in the name of tourism. I’d heard about this place but had forgotten it was in Munich. Kind of interesting to see it right smack in the middle of a city. But no thanks for wanting to even try it.
Leigh recently posted..Ingredients For the Perfect Winter Day Trip to Banff NP
Amazing indeed. There’s still a lot of controversy about the wave there. Not my kind of sport even in the easiest of condition.
Surfing in Munich… interesting
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Luna Sea – True Blue
I think a lot of people are quite surprised about this unusual surfer’s paradise!
I love watching those guys, they’re mesmerising.
Andrea recently posted..Girona Day Trip: Banyoles
If it had been a little warmer, I probably would have watched them much longer.
That’s crazy!! I don’t think I knew that there was a place like this to be found in Munich – or did anyone ever tell me about it, and I was like: “Yeah, right!”, and forgot about it immediately? Either way: I think it’s cool:)!
Vera recently posted..The Black Temple of Chiang Rai
It’s one of those things that you kind of have to see to believe.
Nice to know that the crazy is spread evenly all over the world. I can totally understand this being tempting in the summer, but December? Just go skiing people.
Steve recently posted..Our Best Travel Plays of 2012
I’ll take skiing!
This is really interesting and not to mention quite creative. Who says surfing is only on the beach now, right?
Salika Jay recently posted..Important Public Holidays 2013 In The US
I wonder who the very first person was to think of surfing here. I’ll have to see if I can find out.
Unusual site to see in a city. It happens a lot on the coast of the UK during winter.
Steve Whitty recently posted..Statistics – December 2012
In the UK, too? These folks are not afraid of the cold, are they?
Unreal! But I think I’ll stick to a good old Aussie beach. And summer!! Happy New Year!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..The Incredible Icebergs of Geikie Gorge!
I’m looking forward to enjoying an “Aussie summer” to escape winter here.
I saw this on the Travel Channel a while back…surfers are just plain crazy.
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Top of the Rock – A Billion Dollar View – Picture of the Week
I’d heard about it before, but was still kind of shocked to come across it when I did. Also didn’t expect it in winter!
I miss surfing. Once started, it’s an addiction! Seems it’s a hardcore addiction across the planet.
)
Lane recently posted..Austin Food Trucks: Gourmet on the Go: Part III
I think these guys are definitely addicted!
What a fun post! Now I am expecting and looking forwards to your future post with photos of you surfing here.
Roberta Loufek recently posted..Smashing Saturdays #15
I meant ‘looking forward…”
Roberta Loufek recently posted..Smashing Saturdays #15
I’ll be sure to let you know when those pics are posted! Oh, who am I kidding??
I’ve heard of this before….it looks like fun, but COLD!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..5 Fascinating Facts About The Bahamas
Cold & scary!
Wow – this looks crazy!
Andrea recently posted..At Home In London: The Capital Hotel, Knightsbridge
The word “crazy” comes up a lot it seems.
I happened upon these surfers when I was in Munich a few days before Oktoberfest kicked off. I think I shot over 200 images of them. One is in the slideshow that runs on the Home page of my Website.
Dick Jordan recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Capturing Look-alikes
I’ll check out your pic!
Surfer’s will find any where to surf but this has to be the craziest! thanks for letting us know about this Cathy..it’s certainly one to check out when in Munich.
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..2012: A Feast of Travel!
Definitely worth a look and it’s close to lots of other sights to see.
Crazy cool!
insideJourneys recently posted..My Year of Travelling in Jamaica & Elsewhere, Pt II
What possesses people to throw on a wet suit and surf while it’s snowing? And some of them do it at night?? That’s the power some of us have to quiet our brains and feel the call of the wild. Love these pics!
Dave @ Travel Transmissions recently posted..Travel to Taiwan! (Video)
I think you figured it out — the call of the wild!
This is crazy but would fun to watch no matter what season. I guess you have to make do with living in a land locked country. I marvel at the surfers here too who brave the SoCal winters but this is a whole new level of bravery and insanity. But, I will hunt this out in Munich this summer
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Washington, DC with Kids: 5 Free and Fun Attractions Beyond the Mall
That’s right — you’re in a land locked country and want to surf — you have to be resourceful.
I am seriously impressed because they must need some sort of dry suit to endure the water temperatures. We just went snorkeling in Iceland last week and wore dry suits. I felt like that kid in A Christmas Story that has so many layers on he can hardly move! I’ll have to look for the surfers next time we’re in Munich.
Jennifer recently posted..Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik
I”m impressed that you were snorkeling in Iceland. I’ll look forward to reading about that!
That’s awesome. Surfers are crazy. They will do anything for a wave.
Christy recently posted..Do You Have to Quit Your Job to Travel the World?
And you know from personal experience, right?
WOW! is all I can say. Would be great fun to watch, but there is no way I would try to land on a skinny board in that stream!
Nancie recently posted..Guest Post : Los Angeles: A Travel Photo Essay
These guys were pretty amazing — and fearless.
What a great thing to discover Catherine! I love it, even if it’s quite insane!! And it just goes to show what you can stumble upon when you wander a city on foot.
Sarah Lee recently posted..Ski lesson: confessions of a ski virgin
It seems that anywhere I go on foot in a new city, there’s always something that takes me by surprise, Love it!
Such a sport! I thought wind-surfing in the Columbia River Gorge was about as crazy as it gets, but its been surpassed by Munich. A most interesting (as usual) post!
Jackie Smith recently posted..Travel Tuesday: Waikiki (Sticker) Shock Waves
Thanks, Jackie. Did you do the wind-surfing or watch? Would love to read about it either way.
That is a crazy thought that you could run into surfing in Munich!! I think I’ll stick to watching though. Tried surfing in Maui and that was the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted. I failed but had fun!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..European Dreaming in 2013
Wo would have thought in Munich of all places!! I love it!! Great pics my friend!!
Ht
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[...] Surfing in Munich [...]
Oh holy serf
This is absolutely crazy. But then, there are enough adventurous souls out there who are looking for a bit of crazy… and as long the tourist board is not paying them, I suppose they just do it because that is what they want – a wild ride to feel alive.
Fida recently posted..Jan 11, Trouble figuring out which Swiss Rail Pass is right for you?
That’s a cool photo of you Cathy! I’d heard of the river surfers in Munich, but never seen them myself. They look pretty tough braving the cold waters of the Eisbach (literally, “ice creek”).
Christina recently posted..Things to do in Christchurch after the earthquake
This is pretty much the most insane thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t know what’s crazier — the narrow body of water they’re surfing in in urbania, or the frigid temps. Brrr…
Abby recently posted..So colorful: our San Francisco Chinatown tour
How fun. I’d have thought you were taking the mickey out of us, if it wasn’t for those photos.
Italian Notes recently posted..Rain in Italy
Doubly unexpected, in that they would think of doing it here — and in winter, too. A great series of photos, Cathy!
Andrew Graeme Gould recently posted..Sydney street scene 2010
never knew one can even navigate the waves like this and i love it.
I remember these fellows from when I lived in Munich a few years ago…thought they were nuts then, still do. But interesting…Thanks for the memory!
Anita recently posted..Museo Enzo Ferrari–Cars as art in Modena, Italy
Interesting. In January, we had the biggest storm to hit Israel in 10-20 years, and people went kayaking on a seriously flooded highway. I guess people like to play in the water during winter. I’d love to play in the snow.
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