A standing wave in a Munich stream that has been a surfing magnet for more than four decades has disappeared, stranding city wave riders without their waves.
The water volume in the "ice brook" dropped recently for annual cleanup work along the river bottom.
But when the barriers were removed and the stream resumed flowing last Friday, the famous surge did not form like it typically does.
"We're baffled," surfer Klaus Rudolf told Stern magazine. "I stood at the bank with my board on Friday evening and couldn't believe it."
The river surge in the Englischer Garten park has grown into an icon in the southern German city since rogue surfers in the 1980s transformed it from an occasional natural phenomenon to a consistent surfing spot.
Municipal authorities vow rapid resolution
"Local government is cooperating with the water authorities and wave enthusiasts to find a quick solution so that the famous surf wave will return shortly again as usual," Mayor Dieter Reiter said in a statement this week.
The precise reason the surge disappeared was still unknown as of this week, as stated by city officials.
The latest maintenance removed obstructions from the streambed and inspected the waterway.
"No structural changes were made to the Eisbach wave or its edges during the cleanup," the authorities stated, and an inspection of the site Monday showed no any damage.
Recovery attempts underway
Officials plan to divert more water from the Isar River into the Eisbach in attempts the wave reappears.
The Munich river surge is widely regarded as the biggest and steadiest inland water surge in the heart of a major city, and has grown into a visitor draw in the regional capital, which is typically recognized for beer and sausage at the annual Oktoberfest.
The surf association head, head of the local surfers' association IGSM, informed news agencies in July that thousands of Munich wave riders use the Eisbach wave.
"Wave riding is integral to the culture in Munich," he said. "Not just for the riders personally, but also for the urban identity."
Safety measures implemented after previous event
Previously, the Eisbach wave had recently resumed after a lengthy shutdown following the April death of a local surfer who became trapped beneath the water while riding waves after dark.
After returning to use, new safety rules banned night-time surfing and established an age requirement of fourteen to enter the stream.
