Adventure has always been at the heart of what we do.

When I started Swiss Alpine Adventure, my mission was simple: to share my love of nature, freedom, and exploration with others. From mountain trails to alpine lakes, from snow-covered peaks to sunlit valleys — we wanted to help people experience that feeling of being alive outdoors.

But long before Swiss Alpine Adventure was born, my story began somewhere else entirely… on the water.

Back to Where It All Began

Before trading wetsuits for ski boots, I (Dave) was a full-time watersports instructor — teaching windsurfing, sailing, and introducing people to the excitement of being powered by the wind.

It was there, on beaches and bays across Europe and as far as Hawaii, that my passion for outdoor adventure truly took shape.

That feeling — the lift of the sail, the rush of the wind, the quiet connection with nature — never left me. It’s what inspired me to create Swiss Alpine Adventure in the first place: to bring people together through active experiences in the great outdoors.

When I met Karin and she mentioned that she sailed, my first question was simple: “Can we go sailing together?”

Karin, too, has always felt at home on the water. A lifelong sailor and all-round outdoor enthusiast, she shares that same connection to the elements that drive every one of our adventures.

Together, we’ve always believed that adventure is less about the location and more about the feeling — the wind in your hair, the water beneath your feet, and the freedom to explore.

The Bridge: Wannabe Watersports

If you’ve followed us for a while, you might already know Wannabe Watersports — our small but passionate side project that offered windsurfing and wing foil lessons, equipment rentals, and sailing experiences.

Wannabe Watersports allowed us to stay connected to the water while still running Swiss Alpine Adventure. It was where we experimented, refined our ideas, and started helping others rediscover the joy of wind-powered adventure.

Now, that energy, experience, and community are all part of our next big step.

Introducing All Winds Adventures

All Winds Adventures is the natural evolution of our journey — combining everything we’ve learned from the mountains, the lakes, and the sea.

Born from Swiss Alpine Adventure GmbH, and built on the spirit of Wannabe Watersports, All Winds Adventures is where our love for the outdoors meets our lifelong passion for wind and water.

We’re here to help you discover your own wind-powered freedom — whether that’s through:

• Windsurfing and Wing Foiling Coaching — learn or progress with expert instruction in Switzerland
• Taster Sessions and Private Lessons (Sailing, Windsurf, Wingfoil) — perfect for beginners who want to feel the wind for the first time
• Equipment Rentals — high-quality Windsurf, Wingfoil and SUP gear for your holidays or weekends away
• Yacht Charters or Coaching Weeks — Coaching in Croatia and Charters worldwide, for anyone who wants to combine sailing, learning, and exploring

All Winds Adventures isn’t a replacement for what came before — it’s the next chapter in our story. A full-circle return to the element that started it all.

A Shared Adventure

At the core of everything we do — mountains or waves, snow or sea — is the belief that adventure should be accessible, shared, and real.

We don’t just teach sports; we help people find connection — to nature, to each other, and to themselves.

Whether you’ve joined us on a bike ride or ski tour in the Alps, a sailing week in Croatia, or your first windsurfing session on a Swiss lake, you’re part of this story.

Now, as we set sail with All Winds Adventures, we invite you to join us once again — to chase the wind, explore new horizons, and rediscover the joy of being powered by nature.

All Winds Adventures

Powered by the Wind. Driven by Passion.

The post From The Alps to the Sea: Coming Full Circle with All Winds Adventures appeared first on All Winds Adventures.

Switzerland’s many beautiful lakes make it one of the best places in Europe to enjoy Stand Up Paddle (SUP). Calm morning water, breathtaking mountain views and easy access to the shore make SUP the perfect way to connect with nature — whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned paddler.

At All Winds Adventures, we’ve watched SUP evolve from a surfside curiosity to one of the most accessible water sports around.

My SUP Story – From Waves to Lakes

I first stood on a SUP board back in the early 2000s when it was emerging as a new way to ride waves. At that time, I thought it was great for catching mellow surf, but I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to paddle it on flat water.

Fast forward ten years, and I found myself eating my words. Looking for a way to spend more time on the water when there wasn’t enough wind to windsurf, I started exploring Swiss lakes on a SUP.

Standing gives you a better view than sitting in a kayak, you use more muscles to balance, and with today’s inflatable SUP boards, storage and transport are easy — pump up in 5–10 minutes and you’re ready to go.

Now, I enjoy SUPing on flat water even more than I ever expected when I first tried it all those years ago.

SUP Regulations in Switzerland

Before heading out, make sure you know the rules and safety regulations for Stand Up Paddle in Switzerland. Here are the key points every paddler should remember:

• Stay out of swimming zones: Inside the yellow buoys is for swimmers only. Entering with a board can result in fines.
• Avoid harbours, marina entrances, and ferry landings: These areas are reserved for motorboats and passenger vessels.
• Wear a buoyancy aid when paddling more than 300 m from shore. It’s legally required — and safer.
• Carry a white light after sunset that can be seen from all directions.
• Keep 25 m distance from reed-covered shorelines to protect wildlife habitats.

SUP Safety Tips

Stand Up Paddleboarding is one of the safest water sports — but a little common sense goes a long way:

1. Always wear a leash. Your board is your best flotation device. Losing it in wind or current can mean a long, tiring swim.
2. Dress for the conditions. Cold water? Wear a wetsuit or drysuit.
3. Learn recovery skills. Practice getting back on your board in chest-deep water before heading far from shore.
4. Avoid offshore winds. If the wind blows from land to lake, it will push you away quickly. Return early if it starts to strengthen.
5. Supervise children and check your inflatable board for leaks before launching.
6. Use the correct leash type on rivers.
7. Take a lesson if you’re new to SUP. You’ll gain technique and safety awareness that make the experience far more enjoyable.

At All Winds Adventures, we offer private coaching — perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to improve confidence and technique.

Choosing the Right SUP Board

Inflatable

Inflatable boards are ideal for Swiss conditions — easy to store, lightweight, and portable by car or train.
Performance is slightly less than hard boards, but for recreational paddling, that’s a fair trade-off.

Typical inflatable SUP sizes:

• 10’6″ All-round boards: Very stable, ideal for beginners and casual paddling.
• 11’6″ Touring boards: Slightly faster and track straighter — great for longer outings or carrying a drybag.
• 12’6″ Touring/Race style: Narrower, faster, but less stable. Best for intermediate paddlers.
• 14′ Performance boards: Designed for distance and efficiency, but less manoeuvrable.

For most paddlers, an 11’6″ inflatable SUP offers the best balance of stability and glide.

Hard Boards

Hard boards deliver more performance and efficiency, especially for long distances or waves, but they take up more storage space and are harder to transport.

• Race boards (≈14 ft): Fast but narrow and less stable — ideal for fitness paddlers.
• Wave SUPs (7’10″–10’): Short, manoeuvrable, and designed for surf. On lakes, they’re less efficient but fun if you want crossover use for travel.

If you’re choosing one hard board to use both on Swiss lakes and in small surf, aim for 8’6″–10’ length and 130 L+ volume.

Summary

Stand Up Paddleboarding is a fantastic way to explore the lakes of Switzerland, stay fit, and enjoy nature from a new perspective.
With the right board and basic safety awareness, almost anyone can do it.

Inflatable SUPs offer portability and great value, while hard boards bring performance and speed.
Whatever you choose, the key is simply to get on the water — and start paddling.

At All Winds Adventures, we offer:

SUP Equipment Sales — from trusted brands like Naish, STX, North, Slingshot & Mystic

SUP Coaching & Taster Sessions — learn with professional guidance

SUP Rentals — take a board for a weekend or your holiday

Feel free to contact us if you would like any further information regarding Stand Up Paddle in Switzerland.

The post Stand Up Paddle (SUP) in Switzerland appeared first on All Winds Adventures.

Where to Go, Winds to Watch & Tips for Getting on the Water

In the 1980s, windsurfing was massive. Across much of Europe, it was said that every second family owned a board. But as equipment evolved — boards got smaller, sails more powerful — the sport became a victim of its own success. Light-wind, inland locations like Switzerland suddenly became less suitable for the high-wind gear of the time.

Today, the tide is turning again. Modern windsurf foils, lighter sails, and even SUP boards with sails have reignited the sport and made windsurfing more accessible than ever — especially on Swiss lakes.

At All Winds Adventures, we believe Switzerland is an incredible place to (re)discover the freedom of windsurfing — whether you’re a beginner, a returning sailor, or a weekend warrior chasing light-wind foiling sessions.

Why Windsurf in Switzerland?

Switzerland’s lakes are surrounded by mountains, meaning the winds can be variable — but when they blow, they can be spectacular.

Warm summer temperatures and calm water make Switzerland ideal for:

• Learning the basics of windsurfing or windSUP
• Light-wind freeride or freestyle sailing
• Trying foil windsurfing
• Building confidence before travelling to windier destinations

You won’t find down-the-line wave sailing, but you will find plenty of fun freeride days, consistent thermals, and stunning alpine scenery.

Best Winds for Windsurfing in Switzerland

Not all Swiss lakes are created equal when it comes to wind. Lake Zurich, for example, rarely delivers sailable wind, but others can offer excellent sessions when conditions line up.

Here are the main Swiss lakes where you can regularly windsurf — and the winds that drive them:

Föhn Winds

The Föhn is one of Switzerland’s most famous winds, created by pressure differences across the Alps.

• South Föhn: Warm southerly wind felt north of the Alps — especially on Urnersee, Walensee, and Aegerisee.
• North Föhn: A strong northerly wind affecting Ticino and the northern Italian lakes (Como, Garda).

Föhn can be very strong — sometimes gusting over 40 knots — so always check the forecast carefully.
Tip: If the pressure gradient is over 8 hPa, expect wind on Urnersee or Walensee.

Bise Winds

The Bise is a cold, dry north-easterly wind, most common in autumn.

• Best lakes: Bielersee, Neuenburgersee (Lac de Neuchâtel), Murtensee, and Lake Geneva.
• Smaller lakes such as Zugersee may also catch some Bise.

Look for a pressure gradient of more than 4 hPa for good wind.

South-West Winds

These winds come with low-pressure systems and passing fronts.
By the time they reach Switzerland, they’re often weaker but can still deliver good conditions for:

• Lake Geneva
• Murtensee
• Neuenburgersee
• Bielersee
• Bodensee (Lake Constance)

Thermal Winds

In summer, thermal winds develop on some alpine lakes when cool nights and sunny days create convection.

Expect 15–20 knots on Lake Urnersee and Lake Silvaplana on good days — both excellent spots for freeride, foil, and freestyle sessions.

Storm Warnings & Weather Apps

Swiss lakes are fitted with a light warning system for strong winds:

• 40 flashes/min → Wind warning (over 25 knots expected)
• 90 flashes/min → Storm warning (over 33 knots expected)

Going out during a storm warning is at your own risk — and if you need rescuing, expect a hefty bill!

Pro Tip: Download the MeteoSwiss App (Android / iPhone) and subscribe to “Lakes & Airports” under Hazards to get live wind alerts for your favourite lakes.

Local Regulations

Windsurfing is permitted on most Swiss lakes, but local rules vary. Always check where you can launch and stay clear of:

• Buoyed swimming areas
• Harbour entrances and ferry lanes

Kitesurfing has also become more accessible in recent years, but specific zones still apply.

Equipment Tips for Swiss Conditions

The biggest challenge in Switzerland? Light wind.
That means equipment choice is crucial.

• Boards: 120L+ for better flotation
• Sails: 7–9 m² will get you going most often
• Foils: Great option to maximise water time
• Inflatable boards: Perfect for beginners and recreational use — easy to transport and store

At All Winds Adventures, we’ve been using STX inflatable windsurf boards for teaching and rentals. They’re stable, fun, and surprisingly efficient — ideal for Swiss lakes.

Equipment Rental in Switzerland

If you don’t own gear, several Swiss windsurf centres rent equipment:

• Lake Silvaplana
• Urnersee
• Murtensee

At All Winds Adventures, we also offer STX inflatable and Naish windsurf boards for rental, testing, and coaching.

Perfect for spontaneous sessions or lightweight travel setups.

Contact us to reserve equipment or join a windsurf coaching session near Zurich or central Switzerland.

Travel for More Wind

If you’re craving consistent, strong wind and waves, Switzerland’s central location makes it easy to reach world-class destinations:

• Direct flights from Zurich, Basel, or Geneva to the Canaries, Cape Verde, Morocco, Greece, Egypt, South Africa, and the Caribbean.
• Road trips to Genoa, Corsica, or Sardinia within 5–6 hours.

Summary — Windsurfing the Swiss Way

Switzerland might not be a global windsurfing hotspot, but it’s a fantastic place to learn, practice, and keep your skills alive. With diverse lakes, modern gear, and easy travel access, you can enjoy sailing all summer — and chase stronger winds abroad when the mood strikes.

At All Winds Adventures, we offer:

• Windsurf Coaching & Taster Sessions in Switzerland
• Windsurf Equipment Rentals & Sales (Naish, STX, North, Slingshot, Mystic)
• Charter & Coaching Weeks in windy destinations like Croatia and Mallorca

Get in touch to join our next session or try a windSUP or foil lesson.

The post Windsurfing in Switzerland appeared first on All Winds Adventures.

Switzerland might not be the country that immediately springs to mind when you think of sailing. Although there has been considerable media coverage of the Alinghi team, Switzerland is not exactly renowned for its nautical heritage.

Despite this, it is a country with many lakes and some of them get some reasonably consistent wind. There are however some very “special” regulations with respect to sailing in Switzerland. I will attempt to outline some of them in this article.

Certification

Switzerland has it’s own certification system for sailing and motor boats. You will require a Swiss Licence to navigate any boat with more than 15 square metres (12 square metres on Lake Constance) of sail area or with more then an 8HP (6KW) engine on Swiss waters.

The A License (A Schein) is for motor boats of more than 8HP (6HP on the Lake of Constance).

The D License (D Schein) is for sail boats of more than 15 square metre sail area.

If a sailing boat with more than 15 square metres of sail also has more than an 8HP engine on board you will effectively require both licenses to sail that boat!

Acceptance of Foreign Certification

Unless you are from a neighbouring country (Italy or South Germany) and live in Switzerland, you will not be able to use your already obtained certification here. If you are non-resident in Switzerland you may be able to use an ICC from another country to sail or drive a boat, but as soon as you are resident your foreign certification is not valid and with very few exceptions, there is no possibility to get your existing certification recognised. Regardless of your sailing experience or certification if you come to Switzerland you are limited to less than 15 square metre sail area or 8 HP engines.

Getting Swiss Certification

To get a Swiss Sailing or Motor Boating license the process is similar to applying for a drivers licence. You will first get an application form from the local Department of Motor Vehicles (Strassenverkehrsamt), these forms can be downloaded online from the website of your local Strassenverkehrsamt. You will then need to do an eye test similar to the driving licence eye test and get your passport photos confirmed by a local authority, lawyer or doctor. Then you can submit the form and get an invitation for a theory test.

Theory Test

The Theory test is a multiple choice test with 60 questions (out of a possible 510 pool questions) and negative marking.

• A non-completed question will give you -1 point
• Not ticking the correct answer will give you -1 point
• Each wrong answer you give to a question will give you -1 point (each)

This means it is possible to get -3 points for one wrong question if you don’t tick the correct answer and give two wrong answers. You will fail the test if you get more than 15 minus points. The theory test is the same for both sail and motor.

To practice for the Theory test I can highly recommend the Bootspruefung24 App, this has 15 practice tests and if you can answer all the questions in these 15 tests you will have no surprises in the official Theory Test.

Once you have passed the Theory test you are then eligible to do the practical test. In most cases an instructor will register you for the test, but I believe if you really want to you can register yourself. My advice is no matter how experienced you are take a couple of lessons first as some aspects of the test are quite specific to Switzerland!

Practical Test

The practical test is usually taken on a body of water in your canton of residence as the licence will be issued by your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

The procedure is quite straightforward. Your examiner will meet you a couple of minutes before the test start to get the introductions and formalities out of the way. He will then ask you some questions about the weather situation on the day to see if you can assess whether it is safe to go on the water or not.

You are then expected to prepare the boat to go on the the water and in doing so show evidence that you know all safety equipment which needs to be onboard by Swiss law and where it is on this particular boat. Once this has satisfactorily completed you will head out on the water to perform some maneuvers, such as coming alongside, man overboard, picking up a mooring, sailing a compass course etc. During the maneuvers you may be asked any questions from the theory test orally.

On completion of the “open lake” part of the assessment you will return to your starting harbour where you may be asked to perform some “close quarters” maneuvering, followed by making the boat fast and showing if you can tie some basic knots. (Bowline, Round turn & two half hitches, clove hitch, rolling hitch etc.)

For those with experience the exercises may seem incredibly basic, but they need to be done in such a specific way that the risk of failure for experienced mariners is actually quite real.

Once you pass the test you will get a paper licence which you are required to have with you when sailing or driving any boat (which requires that licence) and on some lakes the Police do spot checks.

Boats Not Requiring a Licence

Even if your boat does not require a licence to operate, it will still need to be registered and undergo a safety inspection. While this procedure varies from canton to canton (as everything in Switzerland), in general, you will need to prove that you have a place to store the boat, and you will need a contract to prove this. The contract for the boat storage has to be made out to the same name and address as the person who is registering the boat and the address needs to be the primary residence address where that person is registered.

Finding a place in a dinghy park (or a marina) for a boat is not that easy. In Swiss Dinghy Parks, there are a lot of old boats in poor repair, no longer used, but people are unwilling to give up their place as they will then lose it if they do ever decide to sail again.

Once the boat is registered, you will get a number similar to a licence plate for your car, you are required to fix this to the hull on both sides so that it is clearly visible at all times when on the water. It is your responsibility to get stick on letters and numbers yourself to put this on the boat (there is also sizing requirements, depending on both size and type). Transfers of the letters can easily be obtained at hardware stores like Migros, Do it Decor or Coop Bau and Hobby.

Shortly after registration, you will be invited for an inspection. This inspection is theoretically to prove the Sea(Lake!)worthiness of the boat. There are requirements which you will need to satisfy, like having life jackets with collars, a horn, a red flag and a bailer (even in boats where it might not be practical to use one!). You can download A full list of the equipment needed here.

The examiner will check all this equipment is present and also inspect the boat for structural integrity (ironically in our case, he did not look at the sails or rudder at all!) If he is satisfied with all this, he will sign you off and return your boat registration document. The boat registration certificate is made of paper, and theoretically you must be have it on the boat at all times when it is on the water! While this is ok on a larger keel boat, it is certainly not practical for smaller “wet” sailing boats.

Insurance

Sailing boats with over 15 metre squared sail area and all motor boats require insurance. For sailboats under 15m sail area, insurance is optional. (but in my opinion recommended)

Boat Rental

Very few locations rent small sailing boats (which don’t require certification). The places that I have seen have not had boats in great condition. There are a few organisations offering the rental of Keel Boats on many Swiss Lakes. These organisations usually require some form of membership and a local certification (D-Schein). But if you have the local certification, the prices are (for Switzerland) quite reasonable. For more information, look at Sailbox or Sailcom.

Storm Warning

Swiss Lakes are fitted out with warning systems that come on when the winds are expected to be over 25 knots. With expected gusts of between 25 and 33 knots, you will see orange lights flashing approximately 40 times per second (high wind warning). Once the forecasted winds exceed 33 knots, the lights will flash at 90 times per second (storm warning). It is technically illegal to go on the water with a Storm Warning (90 flashes per minute). But windsurfing and kitesurfing do seem to be tolerated. I’ve often seen Swiss boats start struggling once the wind increases to about 20 knots. If you are experienced and enjoy sailing in stronger winds, don’t expect that everyone around you has it in control.

Other Lakes

If you think that once you register your boat, you can enjoy going sailing anywhere in Switzerland, then think again. In general, you can only use your boat in the canton of registration. If you would like to sail on another lake in a different canton, you will need to check if this is permitted. In many cases, one cannot launch any boats not registered on that lake. In some cases, you will need a day pass to launch. Some places, any boat registered in Switzerland can launch, and in others, sailing might be completely prohibited.

Best Lakes for Wind

Some Swiss lakes have poor wind statistics, and in general, sailing on Lake Zurich is quite the oxymoron. However, Lakes like Urnersee, Walensee, Neuenburgersee and Lake Geneva often get quite good wind in Summer. In general, different lakes benefit from different winds so I’ll try to explain these winds below.

Föhn: The Föhn is a wind that is generated by a pressure gradient between two sides of a mountain range. In Switzerland. Bad weather on one side of the Alps and good weather on the other leads to a typical Föhn situation. Usually, lakes in a north/south direction in a Föhn affected area benefit from this wind, but beware it can be incredibly strong sometimes, getting up to gusts of 40 knots. You find South Föhn usually on the Northern side of the Alps. It is a strong and warm but gusty southerly wind which is found on lakes such as Urnersee, Walensee, Aegerisee and occasionally Zugersee. Föhn winds on the Urnersee and Walensee often reach 40+ knots. North Föhn in Ticino and the Northern Italian Lakes (Como and Garda) presents as a strong northerly wind

Bise: Bise is a cold North Easterly wind that is often prevalent in Autumn. It can get quite strong and is usually most potent on the lakes in the “Three Lake Land” (Bielersee, Neuenburgersee, Murtensee) and on Lake Geneva. Some other lakes may get some Bise to a smaller extent, like the Zugersee.

South West: This is a low-pressure wind which develops as storm fronts race across Europe. Usually, this wind has lost a lot of its strength by the time it reaches Switzerland and is accompanied by frontal weather systems.

Thermal: In summer a few Swiss Lakes can get a good Thermal wind blowing. On days when it cools down quite a lot at night and there is a lot of sunshine giving radiative heat to the mountains during the day you can expect in the region of 15 to 20 knots on a few Swiss Lakes such as the Urnersee or Silvaplana (Windsurfing and Kitesurfing only!)

Summary

While Switzerland is not known as the sailing capital of Europe, it is possible to get your sailing fix here. It is, however, connected with a considerable level of bureaucracy, which those of us who come from many “open sea” countries may find frustrating. Sailing Small boats does not require certification, but it is difficult to find anywhere to rent these boats, and there is considerable bureaucracy to put your own boat on the water here. You can rent Keel boats on many lakes, but then local certification is required.

Feel free to contact us if you would like any further information regarding sailing in Switzerland.

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