Bad experiences with wakeboarding

Do we need a commercial wake-surf offer on Lake Zug? While the canton broods over this question, it evokes bad memories for established wakesurfers of a case that ended in the federal court in 2004.

The fact that Andi Springhetti from Zug wants to launch a commercial wake surf offer on Lake Zug is something that reawakens unpleasant memories for lakeside clubs. A wakeboarding school from Zurich settled on Lake Zug 17 years ago, and – according to reports – behaved in a reckless manner towards other lake users, creating high waves and noise. As a result, the Government Council (Regierungsrat) of Zug made a decision in June 2004: wakeboarding, water skiing or wake surfing  would only be allowed on the lakes in Zug from June to September, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and only in the corridors provided for this purpose.

The Zurich school soon disappeared from Lake Zug. And the private Zug wake athletes appealed against the restrictions to the Federal Court.

Waves like in Hawaii?
Daniel Schärer is the president of Zug Sports, which also includes IG Wassersport – a community that unites private wakeboarders, stand-up paddlers, wake, kite and windsurfers. He was one of the complainants in 2004, and says: "At that time, the school didn’t follow the rules, and thereby brought the whole sport into disrepute. No dialogue took place.” And he added:

“We don’t want to have to again bear the consequences of problems that we had nothing to do with.”

In the meantime. the relationship between the wake athletes and the other lake clubs has become respectful and dialogue-oriented, and the cooperation on the lake is good.

A wakesurfer on Lake Lucerne
Photo: André A. Niederberger

Daniel Schärer fears that the Zug wake-surf offer could follow a similar path as 17 years -ago. His fears have arisen from reading Reboat's advertising, as he writes to the Zug Lake Police (Seepolizei) as part of the consultation procedure. The IG Water Sports distances itself from sayings and slogans such as "Release the Beast", "Hawaii waves in Switzerland", and "massive sound system and party lighting included".

Trial season and time limitations
In order to find out whether and how the Wakesurf offer can be integrated into the existing lake operations, Daniel Schärer proposes a trial year "to learn lessons and make adjustments". In addition, the IG Water Sports proposes that the company should be allowed to operate on working days from 12 noon to 8 p.m., but not on weekends.

If at all, Martin Käppeli, president of the Cham Rowing Club, only wants to tolerate the wake-surf offer from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as can be seen from his statement to the Zug Lake Police. He believes that the surf waves created by the constant running back and forth will disturbing rowing training. Above all, he sees the promotion of juniors as endangered. For Käppeli, however, the operating concept itself is problematic, as he says on request: The concept does not make it clear enough whether there will only be one boat – namely that of Andi Springhetti – and how often and for how long it would be in use.

Next steps of the Lake Police still unclear
The demands of the various interest groups therefore differ greatly. As this is an ongoing approval procedure, Judith Aklin, Communications Officer of the Zug Police, cannot provide any concrete information on the next steps regarding Reboat Zug. All the affected associations, sea users and official offices were contacted as part of the consultation procedure. According to Judith Aklin, around half of them have so far exercised their right to submit a statement.