What rules and regulations apply to Stand Up Paddling in Switzerland?
Due to the Inland Shipping Ordinance (BSV), stand up paddle boards (SUP) are considered paddling and rowing boats in Switzerland. Accordingly the same rules apply to the use of Stand Up Paddle Boards 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). With regard to 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 SUP 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.
Further information:
- AS 2019 1759 Ordinance on Shipping on Swiss Waters
(Inland Shipping Ordinance, BSV)
https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/ - Stand-up Paddle on Lake Constance
https://padl-bodensee.ch/