Munich Wave Vanishes, But Surfers Find a Way
Surfers in Munich are facing a wipeout that’s not from a wave but from city dredging. One of the world’s largest inland waves, in the Eisbach river, has disappeared, leaving the local surf community stoked in the worst way. As reported by NPR, the beloved spot has gone unsurfable, and surfers are rallying to bring it back. The community’s response? Pure surfing solidarity in action.
Enter O₂ SURFTOWN MUC. This wave park launched the “Eisbach Special” to help out fellow surfers—offering free sessions to anyone with proof they’d ridden the river wave. The response? Over 1,000 surfers grabbed the opportunity, redeeming about €120,000 worth of free sessions by late November. As Wave Pool Mag noted, the turnout shows how tight-knit Munich’s surf culture is. Jonas Boehm-Tettelbach, co-founder of SURFTOWN, summed it up: “The response impressively shows how strong the Munich surf community stands together.” With the Eisbach wave possibly returning someday, surfers are making the most of the backup plan.
While Munich surfers adapt, another wave of inspiration hits from Australia. Pop star-turned-surf-lifesaving advocate Cody Simpson is urging Aussies to hit the books—beach safety books, that is. As Billboard reported, Simpson is the face of Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beach Passport campaign, a free 15-minute online training resource. With summer around the corner, this initiative already empowered 37,000 beachgoers in its first year. Simpson, a lifelong volunteer and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, says it’s “knowledge that could save your life or someone else’s.” From his Gold Coast roots to his global platform, he’s proving that being a water lover means protecting others too.
Whether it’s Munich surfers supporting each other or Cody Simpson pushing for ocean safety, the takeaway is clear: the surf community thrives on unity and passion. At Surf Snaps, we love seeing surfers and photographers band together to keep our playgrounds safe and fun. Keep riding those waves—beach, river, or pool—and stay tuned for more stories that make the ocean feel like home.