Travel Report: Munich

Surf: 5/5    = This one is always on.
Price: 2/5    = Slightly expensive. Thankfully beer is not.
Party: 4/5    = Great bars and good people.
Localism: 5/5    = Nope.
Thieves: 4/5    = Barely any.
Time Frame:  September
Having gone on a bit of hiatus since university I’ve found myself in Germany frequently.  After initially going there to mountain bike I have been wondering where one could surf in this practically landlocked country seemed like a bit of a dilemma to me.  There is ocean access in the north, namely the Balitc and North Sea, but that was at least 8 hours away from where I was staying.   Like most of you reading this article you’ve heard about standing waves before and most likely this one in particular.  Munich wasn’t far away from my mates place in Nürneberg, 2hour drive at the most, so I decided to check it out.  Here’s what happened:

I found the streets, location and wave on Google satellite so just search it, you should have it in minutes.  When your there just go to the English-garden, its between the “Haus der KUNST” (house of arts) and the e-garden, the river is called “Eisbach” or Iceriver in English but just ask a local German if your lost, most will know where it is if your in the right neighborhood.  It may be named Iceriver but it wasn’t that cold even though there was no sun.  A 3/2 should be ample but that’s just more of protection for you getting in and out over the algae covered walls.   You could easily to it during the summer and early months of fall in your boardies.
You can take surfboards on their public transit systems, which is leagues beyond the systems we have in most Canadian cities.  You can get a train once your in the city for around 3.80 euro to Odeonsplatz (on the U line) and just walk 4 blocks north-east.
I was there early (around 6.15 am) and it was empty but they started to come shortly after 8 am.   Mid-day and afternoon there was a decent size line up.  They take turns and have a good system in place so everyone does get a chance so don’t be put off if you’re a beginner.
Not only can you try some of the best beer in Munich, see a lot of history and meet some great looking people but now you can even squeeze in a short session practicing your cutbacks and turns.  So keep this spot in mind and add it to your to-do list if your find yourself in Munich.  I’m going to be back again.