Thanks,
Horse_Shoo
Hello everyone. Im on a mobile device so I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Are there any laws regarding swimming in lake geneva? I would like to swim from one side to the other. I would like to know the rules before I get in trouble. Do I just need to try to not to get smacked by a boat and I should be fine? Or am I only suppose to swim in those designated areas?
Why not just swim in the designated water areas? This lake has a major European river, with strong currents in places.
Also the middle of the lake is likely to be substantially colder than the warm bits round the edge. If you're not wearing neoprene you might get into trouble when you hit the cold water.
Good advice above - so be very careful. Legally though, you can swim where you want - at your peril.
Clarification: Legally, you are *not allowed* to swim in or in front of public ports, near to the debarcaderes (boarding pontoons) or where you see this sign:
Swimming accros the lake?
Two thoughts:
You may start in Switzerland and and up in France. Take a waterproof ID with you (Like the Swiss ID card ).
All alone? You get a cramp - you drown . Have a boat accompanying you. Also solves the waterproof ID problem.
If you are interested in long distance swimming: Rapperswil - Zurich 26.4 km 4. August 2013 (only if you can organize your own boat) .
Or longest across Männedorf - Wädenswil 2.65 km 18. August 2013 Everyone welcome
The geneva police issued a warning about this today,
http://www.20min.ch/ro/news/geneve/s...dence-26958990
And I believe someone drowned over the weekend swimming in their usual spot.
OP,
I hope you realise how cold the water is in the lake.
Hope Horse_Shoo's not done a Reggie Perrin. Maybe we should call the lake police to do a quick sweep...
I don't know about the legal aspect but for your own safety ask a friend to accompany you in a boat. If it is just you swimming in the lake the boats won't see you.
A bit a strange comparison. Our Pond of Zürich is relatively easy to cross by swimming while the Lake of Geneva is in another class
Swim across the lake with Vevey natation in Aug
http://www.vevey-natation.ch/qsPortal/Home.asp?N=2054
I think you still need to have someone with you in a boat.
Thanks everyone. I would wear a wetsuit unless the water just happened to be magically warm that day. I'll definitely look into some of those longer distance swims that were posted .
Did you read the warning by the Geneva police?
Ahh. Now I did. If I were to do it I would need someone in another boat for rescue perposes as well as a beacon for other boats so I don't get run over.
Have a look for all the long-distance swimming events in this country. I'm sure you'll find something to match your taste:
Closer to shore, I understand it can be a bit dodgy to drink the water.
or here for the swim across lake zurich - lenghtways, not across!