Surfer on the Eisbach in Munich.

Typology of the "Eisbach-surfer"

Newbie, celebrity, professional

Situated next to the Haus der Kunst (centre for contemporary art) is the hotspot of Munich's surf scene. Whether on warm summer nights or on icy winter mornings: The Eisbach River in Munich's Englischer Garten (park) is surrounded by tourists and locals alike. The standing wave has long been known beyond the city's confines. But who are those people who congregate around this amazing place? A typology.

 

The original

Hippie type. Used to wear his hair long. Approaching his mid 60s, but that wouldn't deter him from taking on the wave with his battered board. His riding style is pure Hawaii nostalgia - and he was definitely there when river surfing in Bavaria was reinvented.

Outfit – apart from the Eisbach
Ray-Ban sunglasses (bought in Miami in 1977), longboard and barefoot, Hawaiian shirt. But some "Originals" quickly turn into a suspiciously relaxed business person at lightning speed, sporting a well-fitting suit.

Where else can he be found?
In a bar on Gärtnerplatz square, where basil and almond smoothies can also be savoured. Or in the executive room of an up-scale law firm.

The people gathered at the bridge situated on Prinzregentenstraße are not always made up of classic tourists. Sometimes they are just celeb fans, because a famous face happens to have put on a wetsuit.

The lifestyle surfer

This guy is not really a surfer. At least no one has ever seen him on the wave. Nevertheless, he embraces the surfer's habit from the bottom up. Applauding – or put differently, tapping the surfboard on the water when a surfer on the wave made a cool move – and the "Hang Loose" hand movement are his main means of communication.

Outfit – apart from the Eisbach
V-cap, flip-flops and short jeans. Exclusively wears surf brands and a "Locals Only" T-shirt. His bike has a surfboard mounting.

Where else can he be found?
In the Santo Loco surf shop in the city centre, where he spends the hours explaining the perfect wave to other guys while sipping cappuccino.

The professional surfer

The wetsuit sits perfectly. The board has just the right patina finish. Her movements are professional, characterised by style and elegance. The look is both focused and serious. She doesn't speak much, and doesn't have much else to do with the crew. This master of the board dominates the four-meter-wide surf perfectly and radiates a casual manner throughout, something that even the young locals work hard to perfect on the shorebreak of the French Atlantic coast.

Outfit – apart from the Eisbach
Nothing freaky. Ponytail.

Where else can he be found?
Everywhere in the world with the right waves.

Anyone practising the standing wave for the first time should try it out – if you please – at the lesser-known wave in Thalkirchen district. And anyway: The Eisbach is a dangerous place if you have not yet mastered the art.

The surf groupies

Women chilling in bikinis right next to the surfer's wave. From giggling teenies waving to cute surfer boys, to middle-aged ladies secretly peering at the athlete's upper body through the guise of their sunglasses.

Outfit (naturally beyond the Eisbach)
Everything that goes with the bikini: Indie band T-shirt, Converse trainers, hot pants, jute bags.

Where else can he be found?
The skatepark – and H&M.

The tourist

Tourists can always be found in the same place: on the bridge of Prinzregentenstrasse and – with a lot of traffic – on the slopes to the right and left of the surf wave. They seem hypnotized, but keep the surfers firmly in view. They sometimes clap when something amazing happens.

Outfit (naturally beyond the Eisbach)

Photo camera, Hard Rock Cafe shirt, FC Bayern plastic bag. Alternatively a Gucci bag, white shirt and jacket over the shoulder. Munich's visitors are as diverse as the city itself.

Where else can he be found?
The city's Marienplatz, the famous Hofbräuhaus, and around the "Platzl".

This master of the board dominates the four-meter-wide surf perfectly and radiates a casual manner throughout, something that even the young locals work hard to perfect on the shorebreak of the French Atlantic coast.

The celebrity

The people gathered at the bridge situated on Prinzregentenstrasse are not always made up of classic tourists. Sometimes they are just celeb fans, because a famous face happens to have put on a wetsuit. Jack Johnson, Kent Nagano or many an ex-professional footballer have already tried the wave. Although their talent on the wave is not quite as pronounced as with a microphone or conductor's staff, headlines in the local newspapers are definitely taken care of.

Outfit (naturally beyond the Eisbach)
Different depending on the celebrity type, but a pair of sunglasses with torn jeans and necklace with skull motif is almost always a must.

Where else can he be found?
In Schumann's Bar on Odeonsplatz (square).

The newbie

An unwelcome guest in the scene. After all, the Eisbach scene is a "locals only" thing. It's nothing for a beginner. Anyone practising the standing wave for the first time should try it out – if you please – at the lesser-known wave at Flosslände in the Thalkirchen district. And anyway: The Eisbach is a dangerous place if you have not yet mastered the art. You can quickly hurt yourself on the stone underground or – in a very classical way – by hitting your own head with the board.

Outfit (naturally beyond the Eisbach)
O'Neill sunglasses, Billabong T-shirt, Stüssy cap. Of course, everything only just bought.

Where else can he be found?
Right around the corner at Luitpold-Gymnasium (high school).

 

 

Text: Nansen & Piccard; Photos: Frank Stolle
Young woman stands between two trees and looks at a sun-drenched meadow in Munich.

Nymphenburger Schlosspark

A local safari

Beavers, tawny owls, kingfishers: with a bit of luck, you can see many wild animals in Nymphenburg Castle Park. A visit.

Deer, beavers, adders, kingfishers, tawny owls, Canada geese: with a little luck, you can see all sorts of wildlife in Nymphenburger Schlosspark – in the heart of the city!

Two women on wheels cycle in the green into the evening sun in Munich.

Interview

A touch of wildnerness

A talk about the great outdoors, the magic of the woods and the love of the Northern English Garden.

A talk about the great outdoors, the magic of the woods and the love of the Northern English Garden.

Three tourists on the Olympia Mountain viewing platform overlooking the park.

City Walks

The north-south passage: hiking across Munich

A hiking tour through Munich – always towards the sun.

A hiking tour through Munich – always towards the sun: from BMW Welt in the north to the lake at Hinterbrühl in the south. In just one day!

Monopteros in the Englischer Garten in Munich.

City Walks

The east-west passage: hiking across Munich

Munich is a village. Right?

Munich is a village, you can do everything by foot here. That is what they say. But is that true? We gave it a try - and went on a hike!

A man on a bicycle in the evening sun in the Maxvorstadt in Munich

Cycling tours: grand city tour

Grand city tour

Discover the beauty of Munich outside of the city center at the grand city tour by bike.

From the centre of the old town to the Kunstareal art district, and on to the former summer residence of the Wittelsbach family, to the Olympic Park and back across Leopoldstraße. 

Two women with a bicycle on a pier by a lake in Bavaria.

Wasser-Radlwege Oberbayern

Bathe, banter, bike

Whether „Hopfen and Bier-Schleife“, „Salz-Schleife“ or „Kunst- and Kulturschleife“, Munich is the hub for all routes of the water cycle paths.

Whether „Hopfen and Bier-Schleife“, „Salz-Schleife“ or „Kunst- and Kulturschleife“, Munich is the hub for all routes of the water cycle paths.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for only 20€ !

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for only 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich

Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

3 days from 313 € for 2 Pers.

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Bag on green background

Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.