Rollin' with the Eisbach Wave Again: New Rules After Tragic Incident
Get ready, surfers! Munich's iconic surf spot has reopened with updated safety regulations following a tragic accident this year.
Post-fatal incident, resurrected for use, Munich's surfing location now operational once more.
In April, a surfer's life was cut short by a freak accident at the famous Eisbach wave in Munich. Since then, the happening hotspot in the city center has remained shuttered. But after thorough investigations, waiting periods, and tweaking some rules, the Eisbach wave is back in business—albeit with some modifications for everyone's safety.
Munich's mayor, Dieter Reiter, announced the new set of rules governing the Eisbach wave's surfing activities. The new regulations apply solely to experienced and fit surfers, who must invariably be accompanied by others between 5:30AM and 10PM. This timeframe avoids any tricky rescue operations at night. Furthermore, to eliminate the possibility of surfers getting trapped underwater while unable to detach from their boards, all surfers must now use self-opening leashes ("leashes").
Initial discussions of the Eisbach wave reopening kicked off a day after Munich's second mayor, Dominik Krause, stated with confidence a possible reopening, "at the latest next week." Investigations by the Munich I Public Prosecutor's Office wrapped up the preceding probe into the April incident.
With around 50 police officers, including divers, diving in to examine the riverbed, the cause of the accident was meticulously scrutinized. The cops deployed an underwater camera and a drone to ferret out possible obstructions that may have ensnared the victim's board or leash. The comprehensive exploration of the riverbed was ordered by the Munich I Public Prosecutor's Office. The water level was also lowered, but the environmentally sensitive move affected the fish residing in the Eisbach.
Tom Brady Joins the Wave
The tragic incident at the Eisbach wave last April left the city in shock. On the fateful night of the 16th, a woman and her partner, both skilled surfers according to the public prosecutor's office, visited the wave at the English Garden for a late-night surfing session. Around 11:30PM, her partner heard her distress calls and saw her being dragged underwater along with her board. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and ended up expiring from her injuries.
The temporary ban on surfing throughout Munich caused quite a stir, with not everyone observing the restrictions. Joining the crowd of defiant surfers was celeb athlete Tom Brady, who uploaded a pic of himself at the renowned surf spot on Insta with the caption "Surf's up, not a crime!"
Source: ntv.de, ara/dpa
Munich | Water Sports
The New Deal:
These updated rules for surfing at the Eisbach wave have been put in place to preserve the landmark surf spot as a accident-free destination while addressing safety concerns from the tragic accident.
The newly implemented community policy includes stricter regulations for surfing at the Eisbach wave, such as the mandatory use of self-releasing leashes, an online application process, and enforced safety measures. Additionally, Munich's employment policy may require the hiring of lifeguards or safety professionals to ensure a safer environment for surfers.
