A stationary surge in a Munich stream that served as a surfing magnet for over 40 years has vanished, leaving urban surfers high and dry.
Water levels in the Eisbach were lowered last week for yearly maintenance along the streambed.
But when the gates reopened and the stream resumed flowing again on Friday, the famous surge failed to appear as usual.
"We're at a loss," surfer Klaus Rudolf told a publication. "I was standing at the edge with my board on Friday night and was astonished."
The river surge in the city park has become a landmark in the southern German city since unofficial wave riders in the eighties transformed it from an occasional natural phenomenon to a consistent surfing spot.
City officials pledge rapid resolution
"The city administration is cooperating with the water authorities and wave enthusiasts to find a quick solution so that the famous surf wave will soon be available to its normal state," the city's mayor announced this week.
The precise reason the surge disappeared remained unclear as of this week, according to city officials.
The latest maintenance removed obstructions from the waterway bottom and examined the channel.
"No structural changes were performed on the river surge or its edges throughout the maintenance," the authorities stated, and an examination of the location earlier this week showed no structural issues.
Restoration efforts in progress
Officials plan to divert more water from the nearby river into the Eisbach in hopes the wave reappears.
The Eisbach wave is widely regarded as the largest and most consistent river wave in the heart of a major city, and has grown into a visitor draw in Bavaria's state capital, which is otherwise known for brews and bratwurst at the annual Oktoberfest.
The surf association head, leader of the wave riders' group IGSM, told AFP in July that 3,000 to 5,000 local surfers use the Eisbach wave.
"Surfing is simply integral to the culture in the city," he said. "Not just for the surfers themselves, but also for the city's image."
Precautionary rules implemented after recent incident
Previously, the river surge had just reopened after a lengthy shutdown following the spring tragedy of a 33-year-old Munich woman who became trapped beneath the water while riding waves after dark.
After returning to use, updated regulations prohibited after-dark riding and established an age requirement of fourteen to brave the water.
