Munich Eisbachwelle closed until further notice after surfer dies

Munich’s famous Eisbachwelle has been closed until further notice after a young woman died from injuries sustained during a surfing accident at the spot.

Young woman dies in Munich surfing accident

A 33-year-old woman has died in a hospital in Munich, days after she was injured in an accident at the city’s popular Eisbachwelle surfing spot.

The woman was surfing the Eisbach River’s artificial wave on the evening of April 23 when the surfing safety line attached to her ankle caught on the river bed, and she was unable to free herself. Other surfers attempted to remove the safety line but were unable to help due to the river’s strong current.

Only once emergency services arrived were they able to free the woman from the safety line and take her to hospital. Police have now confirmed a report from Süddeutsche Zeitung that the woman has died of her injuries.

Eisbach surfing spot closed until further notice

Following the accident, local authorities closed down the surfing spot, which sits on the southern edge of Munich’s Englischer Garten. It will now remain closed until further notice.

A spokesperson from the Munich Department for Climate and Environmental Protection announced that anybody caught surfing during the closure risks a fine of up to 5.000 euros.

River surfers have been riding the Eisbach’s artificial wave since 1972. However, only in 2010 did local authorities announce that it was officially permitted to swim at the spot. Since then, it has become hugely popular with locals and tourists due to its unique location.

The river is very cold and only 40 centimetres deep at some points, with signs reminding visitors that only practised surfers should attempt the wave and only “at their own risk”.