The Eisbach is a river in Munich that breaks in 2-3 feet of cold water. Surf’s up all year round if you have a wetsuit!
Officially, surfing is not allowed in the river, but who cares. The standing wave can be surfed for as long as you don’t fall, which can allow for a lot longer waves than even “real” waves, but don’t think you don’t have to deal with crowds! As soon as one guy is down, the next is on the wave. Locals only bro! No Kayakers!!
Nathan Fletcher surfing a quad (four) fin Stretch surfboard. With three broken boards within 1 week, you know these were some heavy tubes. While others were doing tow-ins and jet ski assists, Nathan stroked in the old fashioned way, with his arms. He thinks the whole jet ski thing is a bit too “jock”.
Santa Cruz Harbor is a wave that rarely breaks, but when it does it’s the most hollow wave in all of Santa Cruz.
German ex-pat Patrick Trefz has been living in Santa Cruz for the better part of the last 2 decades. He’s a staff photographer for Surfer Magazine even though lately it seems he prefers to shoot films about the actual characters that shape the surfing community.