Thanks to stupid and wrong local media reports (two people died this summer in the Eisbach but swimming, not surfing), some politicians want to close down the famous Munich's Eisbach river wave.
Please give your support to prevent the demolition of this unique wave by editing your name to the digital petition list.
With your signature, you may avoid the destruction of one of Munich's most unique attractions. Join us and save the Munich Eisbach wave.
Surfing in Munich has a long tradition, and the wave at the Eisbach is famous around the world. And now its destruction is looming on the horizon.
On September 15th, the AZ (German Newspaper) headline read, "Secret Plan: Eisbach Wave will be demolished!"
The newspaper implies with a random listing of incoherent statements a - non-existent direct connection between the ramp (which builds the wave), surfing, and the tragic accidents of swimmers drowning in the Eisbach, which always happened some kilometers downstream of the wave.
Rather, there would be a relation between the accidents and alcohol and/or sunstroke than with the wave.
Nevertheless, the newspaper states plans to destroy the wave.
The reason for this illogical plan is the tragic drowning of a (not surfing) Australian Student this summer, one kilometer downstream of the wave.
And the bad PR Munich was getting afterward, and thereby, the city was forced to remove its promotion of the wave on its own website.
The logic seems to be, what's the use of a wave if you can't use it for your own marketing purposes and therefore tear down the one-of-a-kind wave on the Eisbach.
The Facts
Fact 1: There has never been any surfer drowning at the Eisbach.
There are dangerous weirs and undercurrents in the Eisbach, but they are around one kilometer downstream of the wave, and they are not caused by the wave!
The question is: If a targeted and explicit sign-board (in German and English) with an explained warning for swimmers about dangerous spots (like the sandbank signs at the ocean) is more useful than a general swimming - and surfing prohibition also on save parts of the Eisbach, which most people are not adhering to anyway.
In addition, a detailed sign could be placed at the wave, about the danger of the stones and that everybody is surfing at one's own risk.
Fact 2: Far more people injure themselves while inline skating, biking on bicycle lanes, skiing, or in beer gardens than while surfing on the Eisbach wave or swimming in Eisbach.
Fact 3: Surfing on the Eisbach can be dangerous, but just for the surfer himself and only if he is a beginner.
And the surfers have self-management in place, which makes sure that beginners are sent to a beginners-wave, and most semi-good surfers voluntarily wear a helmet and lifejacket.
Additionally, the surf community is proactively spreading information about the dangers of surfing on the wave on the internet as well.
Fact 4: Surfers at the Eisbach, with their neoprene and surfboard, are much better protected against drowning than swimmers.
This is also shown through the fact that when there is a red flag at the beaches of the Atlantic, swimming is strictly forbidden, but surfing is allowed.
Fact 5: Surfing at the Eisbach is a long-rooted tradition that started in the 1970s.
Therefore the Eisbach is already known all around the world, and German traveling surfers get asked about it wherever they go, even Australia, Morocco, Bali.
Fact 6: Nearly all the people watching the surfers from the bridge are fascinated by the sport, make compliments, and enjoy the performances.
Fact 7: Eisbach-Surfing is an ecological equal-zero-emission sport at a natural spot. The possibility for Munich citizens of clean recreation without producing any pollution or noise! Nobody is getting harassed, and nobody is complaining about it.
Fact 8: Many Munich companies and stores (e.g., surfboard manufacturers, clothing shops, film productions, and photographers) profit from the unique status of the surfing community in Munich.
Fact 9: This sport is peaceful and free of charge.
Therefore the access to the sport is easy, and many young persons love to surf at the Eisbach, sometimes even on a daily basis.
Hence, it would be a shame to close this downtown sport possibility and hinder the surfers from getting physically exhausted during sports rather than putting their energy into drugs and brawls.
All surfers are thankful for every day the wave runs, and they can challenge themselves and have a good time with friends.
Fact 10: It would be a shame if a city that wants to apply for the Olympic Games is so unsportsmanlike and would destroy this unique phenomenon.
River surfing is a new and fast-growing sport, and all around the world, the mass appeal is increasing day by day.
Munich was one of the trendsetters in this movement and is now risking getting back to the bottom of the league.
Source: Save The Eisbach Wave