The history of surfing in Switzerland

Surfing in Switzerland

Surfing has also discovered its way to Switzerland, even though Switzerland does not border on any ocean. Surfing can also be practised in a landlocked country. So-called "riversurfing" is the best-known variant. Standing waves form on the rivers and you can ride them. River waves are smaller than ocean waves, but they are more consistent, softer and have a constant shape. In Switzerland, surfing can also be practised on lakes, on the bow wave of a motorboat.

There are different historical accounts of the origins of "riversurfing". The simplest explanation is that in the early 1970s, after the surfing boom had spread from the USA to Europe, a few freaks sought out various waves in European rivers and streams. Initially armed with water skis, they soon recognised the phenomenon of standing waves and developed techniques to ride them with surfboards.

The fascination for the sport is steadily increasing. In the snowless winter months, many Swiss surf enthusiasts travel to the oceans to surf, as an alternative to the Snow sports. The sport of surfing became institutionally anchored in Switzerland with the founding of the Swiss Surfing Association SSA in Verbier in 1992. Since 1997, the SSA has organised the Swiss Surfing Championships every year in France on the Atlantic coast. The first "Riversurfing" competition took place in 1999. In the meantime, the offer in Switzerland has been expanded to include many other surfing variations. Various kite schools, artificial river waves, cable parks, wave pools, bungee surf options, pump foil stations, urban winches and even the Seporflow system. Surfing as a Sport has arrived in Switzerland.