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Switzerland Surfski
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Switzerland has many large lakes that can generate favorable conditions for downwind runs. But pay attention to weather forecasts and water temperatures just as you should anywhere if you want to paddle safely. Watch this 2019 sailing race video where an epic storm comes up on Lake Geneva with 60 knot winds.
- Resources
- Paddel Buch water access for boat launch, ramps, etc. in Switzerland
- Surfski Switzerland
Surfski Switzerland WebsiteVisit their testcenter - demos offered on the Greifensee April - October- Facebook Page Some good downwind videos here
- Swiss Canoe Website
- Swiss Canoe Clubs and the Kanu clubs specifically mentioned below are not usually surfski oriented but they are places to look for paddlers who may also be surfskiers and surfskis do seem to be making significant inroads into popularity in Switzerland.
- Switzerland Mobility Guide for traveling without a car
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Downwinds/Paddles
Lake Biel/Bienne
- Weather/Conditions
- Groups/Clubs
- …
Lake Constance (bordered by Switzerland, Germany, and Austria)
- (Bodensee)
- Groups/Clubs
- Kanu Club Singen (de)
- Kanu and Watersport Club Bregenz (at) clearly there are surfskis here
- Kanuschule Bodensee Arbon, Interlaken (ch)
- Lindau Kanu Club (de)
- Konstanz(de)
- Untersee (smaller western branch of lake west of Konstanz)
- Steckborn (Feldbach Park or Surfplatz Steckborn) - Ermatingen 9km Downwindable.com
- Resources
- Weather/Conditions
- East End of Lake
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Lake Geneva (bordered by Switzerland and France)
- (Lac Leman) (Genfersee)
- Geneva Canoe Club whitewater & slalom but possibly a place to ask about fellow surfskiers in the Geneva area facebook page
- Downwinders
- Prangins - Versoix 14 km Downwindable.com
- Saint Prex - Saint Sulpice 14 km Downwindable.com
- Nernier, France to Anieres, Switzerland 12 km Downwindfun
- Weather/Conditions
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Nernier to Anieres (downwind with a 'Bise' which is a regular NE wind)
Greifensee
- Ask surfski.ch about training here
- Greifensee - Aaspitz 5km Downwindable.com
- Weather/Conditions
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Lake Gruyère
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Interlaken (Between the Lakes Thun, Brienz)
Lakes known for their turquoise waters surfski video
- Lake Thun
- Weather/Conditions
- Lake Brienz
- …
Lake Lucerne
- Resources
- Ask surfski.ch about training here
- Kanuwelt Buochs surfski lessons
- Downwinders
- Gersau - Meggen 13 km, Downwindfun
- Flüelen to Beckenried 20 km video, Downwindfun
- Weather/Conditions
- Urnersee Conditions
- Silvan Wyss “Lake Uri often has good wind. But it definitely needs 30 knots or more for a perfect downwinder. How often there is so much wind is a good question…..Winter and autumn there are always such conditions and a few times in summer. Maybe 12-20 times a year that it's around 40 knots. Good forecasts for Lake Uri can be found at: https://www.srf.ch/meteo/surf-und-segelwetter-details?spot=46.8870,8.6218 If the wind is southerly, it is best to start at the harbour in Flüelen.”
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Downwinding Between Flüelen & Beckenried
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- Flüelen-Brunnen 11 km Downwindable.com
- Flüelen-Bauen 5 km Downwindable.com
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Lake Lugano
- See Lakes in Italy
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Lake Maggiore
- See Lakes in Italy
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Lake Neuchâtel
- Downwinders
- Cortaillod - St. Blaise 16 km Downwindable.com
- St. Aubin - St. Blaise 21 km Downwindable.com
- Weather/Conditions
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Lake Sempach
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Lake Silvaplana
Often has afternoon thermal winds - popular for water-wind sports.
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Lake Walen
- (Walensee)
- Downwinders
- Weather/Conditions
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Lake Zug
- Zugersee (check surfski.ch - may still be a training group that practices here)
- Weather/Conditions
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Lake Zurich
- Ask surfski.ch about training here
- Downwinders
- Au - Badi Risi 9 km Downwindable.com
- Au - Jona/Stampf 16 km Downwindable.com
- Weather/Conditions
- Rapperswil-Jona
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Conditions
Look for specific condition information above for each locale (possibly sparse but we are trying to add more of this as we can collect it). The local terrain and mountains may often cause unique local effects on weather and wind that you have to become familiar with for fun and safety. Become familiar with “Föhn” and “Bise”. Talk to local boaters about any tendencies toward sudden weather changes in the area you are interested in paddling in. Take all advisable precautions you should take for paddling on the generally quite cold water of Swiss lakes.
Föhn - (the hairdryer) Wind that occurs when air descends down the leeward side of a mountain, becoming warmer and drier as it descends. In some regions, like the Rocky Mountains, it's known as a Chinook.
Bise - Translated as “north wind,” la bise is more precisely a chilly wind that passes through certain areas of eastern France and Switzerland
Videos
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Adaptive Paddling
- Kanu Club Rapperswil-Jona - Lake Zurich
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Races
- Bregenz Bodensee Challenge in recent years (2024-2025) has been a 4 race series
- Kreuzlingen approx. Late April
- Friedrichshafen approx. Late July
- Bregenz approx. early to mid September
- Konstanz approx. Late October
- Swiss Marathon Paddle Cup SUP, Outrigger, Kayak, Surfski
- Cup Races (check the main cup links for additions/deletions/name changes of cup races - these are the races listed in 2025)
- Wenzel Trophy Rapperswil
- Race Across The Lake Arbon
- The Big Paddle Challenge, Richterswil
- ….
Sale/Rental/Lessons
- Kanu School Versam (whitewater and river running oriented, sells gear - neoprene, paddle clothing, PFDs)
- KayakAdventure Not necessarily surfskis, but definitely boating accessories & supplies
- Surfskipoint sales, rentals, (and lessons at some locations)
- Surfski Switzerland
- Surfski Switzerland (facebook) sales, lessons, (rentals?)
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Gersau - Meggen
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