What rules and regulations apply to stand-up paddleboarding in Switzerland?
Due to the Inland Shipping Ordinance (BSV), stand-up paddleboards (SUP) are considered paddling and rowing boats in Switzerland. Accordingly, the same rules apply to the use of stand-up paddleboards as for paddling and rowing boats.
Legal basis
In the Inland Shipping Ordinance (BSV), stand-up paddlers (SUP) are basically considered paddle boats because they are propelled with a paddle (definition in Art. 2 Para. 1 Letter a No. 21). Regarding the rescue equipment, SUPs are considered water sports equipment suitable for competitions (Art. 134a BSV). It is irrelevant whether they are inflatable or not. Paddle boats are themselves a subset of rowing boats.
Summary of the most important rules
- The SUP must be clearly labeled and marked so that if a boat is found, the rescue workers or the police can quickly clarify whether the person is missing. The following information about the owner of the board is required: name, address, and telephone number.
- A life jacket is not required unless you have paddled more than 300 meters from shore. However, as soon as you move further than 300 meters from the shore, a suitable life jacket with at least 50N buoyancy is mandatory. A life jacket should always be worn on rivers.
Attention: On Lake Constance, a life jacket must have at least 100 Newtons of buoyancy. - At night and when visibility is poor, the SUP must be illuminated with a white all-round light.
- Stand-up paddlers do not have the right of way over course and cargo boats or fishing boats with a yellow or white ball. Sailing boats also have the right of way, just like bathers must be given way.
- The routes of the scheduled ships as well as the berths and port entrances are to be kept clear.
- Restricted areas marked by yellow buoys, such as protection zones and bathing areas, may not be entered.
- It is also important to maintain an appropriate safety distance from wild animals and waterfowl. A distance of about 25 meters must be maintained from aquatic plants such as reeds or water lilies.
- When boarding and disembarking, it is also important to be considerate of nature and vegetation and only land in areas that are easy to navigate.