Any specific rules? Surely a life jacket.... any safety kits?
Thanks in advance, for any help
I have a two seater inflatable kayak. Can I use this on Lake Zug or Lake Zurich? Are these out of place, meaning to Swiss using hard bodies kayaks? Do I need a license for the kayak, a license to operate it, and insurance?
I don't know the answer, but I'm posting here to subscribe in case somebody does. I've had my eye on the Sevylor Colorado for a while.
I did a bit of searching on the topic back in Spring and, while I didn't find anything official, I got the impression that there's no problem using it on Lake Geneva.
I won't pretend I am a complete expert, but have used a similar kayak with no special licence etc . I am a rower and generally one is required by law to wear a life vest when more than 150m from the shore. I would say, particularly in winter safety should always be top of mind and a life vest makes sense even when an expert.
Also in summer look out for swimmers, they often have some hardy types who swim all year round and have had some close shaves when rowing , swimmers are not always easily seen, so look out when kayaking too.
Have fun
Thanks, I am looking at a few entry level models. Something I can throw over my shoulder, race down the hill in Zug on my mountain bike, chain it to a poll, and head out for a good morning of cross training.
Hi
I'm looking to buy an inflatable kayak for the kids during the holidays- any suggestions- for use on Lake Geneva
Bau Coop has allot of kayaks on sale at the moment, as well as other swimming things. The big inflatables are pretty sturdy so worth considering. Enjoy
I like the look of this for Lake Geneva, a lot less expensive than the Colorado and good for families & calmer water (you get the odd boat wake but I've yet to see rapids on the Leman).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&k...sl_4q036djzv_e
The sportxx place attached to Migros MMM at Aigle was selling the Colorado as a kit with paddles and lifejackets for around CHF750.
Have you tried these out, was about to buy one from Manor then read up about it.- seems the ? rudder is in the middle and tends to go around in circles
Check your local Aldi - they've had recent offers for a basic (ideal for kiddies, but still good quality) for 99chufs, or even better quality for 199chufs. Both I think come with everything you need - paddles, pump.
Although they were past offers and not normally stocked, my local Aldi still had one or two in the last week - worth a look.
I have a Sevylor bought in SoCal, over 15 yrs. ago for over 500bucks - really good quality, thick rubber construction. Great fun in the Pacific surf, and still going strong, although it hasn't got wet, yet this year. For kiddies paddling near the shore on Genfersee, may a bit rich.
http://www.nautiraid.com/nautiraid-b...kayaks-gb.html I have just bought a Raid 325, to replace my rather worn out feathercraft K1. It's lighter and less than half the price.
THose Aldi boats are purely play boats, but seem to be good value for the low cost, from what I have seen of them.
i actually emailed the tourist info and asked them if it was allowed on lake zurich, this is the reply I got:
Dear Mr. abc
Thank you for your mail.
It is allowed to kayak in Zürichsee. Below I will send you a link where you can rent some kayak’s or other sport equipment:
http://www.zuerichsee.ch/en/page.cfm...ssersport/1283
Wish you a lovely kayak trip!
Best regards
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ZÜRICHSEE TOURISMUS
Angela Trümpler
Hintergasse 16, Postfach 1001, CH-8640 Rapperswil
Tel. +41 55 222 80 57, Fax. +41 55 222 80 50
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) - Zürichsee - Dein See
www.zuerich.com - Zürich - Deine Stadt
www.ztextra.ch - Zürich Tourismus - Das Unternehmen
We bought our in the UK from the Nauticalia company, and it is great, with strong re-inforcement at the bottom, and we can use it pretty well on any lake.
Just be very careful though- many lakes near mountains can have very very strong winds coming in just a few minutes, usually at the end of the afternoon. As the air up in the mountains cools more quickly than by the lake on the valley floor- it creates a massive vacuum very quickly- so always stick to near the shores at that time of day. On Lake Neuchatel, Morat and Biel/Bienne we call it Le Joran. Many kayakers and windsurfers and people on lilos get caught every year, sometimes with fatal consequences. Also look out for flashing revolving lights around the lake warning you of such high winds coming - if you see those, do NOT ignore them.
Enjoy.
I've enjoyed kayaked in Lake Zurich & Lake Zug the past 5 years with no problems. This includes being more than 150m off shore, crossing the lake, etc. I wear a flotation vest and keep a paddle buoy handy whenever I head out for more than a shoreline paddle. I also have a tow rope and lights for times I could be out when it gets dark. The main safety concepts are being aware of boat traffic, especially when you are near arrival/departure routes for passenger ships, being aware of weather risks (read reports before heading out, understand and be on the lookout for storm lights and quickly developing storms, etc.) and having basic water survival and self-rescue skills.
I used to commute to work from Rüschlikon into Zürich in my Lettmann hard shell sea kayak, wheeling it from home to water and water to office on a 2-wheel kart. I bought an inflatable Sea Eagle Paddle Ski kayak earlier this year and love it. It seats 1 or 2, has an optional rowing platform for 1-2 and handles choppy water very well. It was half the price of the Lettmann, but not exactly cheap. It's not as fast as the Lettmann, but much more useful and easier to store and transport. I transport it to and from the water (in Richterswil) with a Cargo Bike and trailer. It takes just a few minutes to inflate, so you could also transport it in the trunk of a car and store it deflated. The photo below shows the setup and transport of both kayaks. Below that are a couple photos from the kayak commuting days.
Respect . . that is awesome. I wish I could make my journey to work like that.
Interesting thread, I was watching someone on Lake Zurich with an inflatable canoe (I assume it was a kayak) the other day and thought it might be worth a try. If I can peel myself away from my sailing dinghy, that is Advntur, maybe it was you I saw?!
Apologies if I'm teaching anyone to suck eggs but there is a difference between life jackets and buoyancy aids. One difference is the amount of buoyancy they are rated to offer, another is whether or not they have a collar to keep you right side up in the event of unconsciousness. Also, within the realm of lifejackets there are differences - some are solid foam, some are inflated manually and others are inflated automatically (hydrostatically). If you are doing an activity where you are likely to get wet (dinghy sailing, kayaking) you don't want a lifejacket that inflates the moment it touches water!
hahahahhaa, I love where your park your kayak...
love your middle photo!
I did a 15 mile stretch of the Rhine in an inflatable kayak with some friends earlier in the summer. We don't have any sizeable lakes in Basel so the river is the next best option. Was a great day out. Didnt encounter any problems from the local police though i have since heard that it may be frowned upon to do this by the local bobbies or river police. Had a couple of dams to contend with but apart from that it was fairly easy.
Love the idea of kayaking to work, top marks for ingenuity.
Were your friends Pugh, Pugh, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grub?
Eventually got the one from Manor (Challenger 2), tested it out on Lago Maggiore last week. Was fine for the kids playing around in altho steering it was a bit difficult at times and we did tend to go around in circles fairly often,but they had great fun so that's all that matters.