Skip to main content

Swimming in Swiss Lakes and Rivers

Summer has arrived and the weather is warm enough to make Swiss people flock to the various rivers and lakes for a refreshing swim. Swimming in lakes and rivers is one of most popular (and definitely cheapest) pastimes here in Switzerland.

Swiss swimmers can choose between ice cold mountain lakes, several bigger rivers, some creeks, and quite a number of large lakes (e.g. Lake Zurich, Lake Geneva, Lake Constance). Switzerland has no sea coast but in my opinion the lakes definitely make up for it. And fresh water is so much more refreshing than salt water!

Swiss Paradise - daniel stricker  / pixelio.de
Here in Switzerland, old and young swim in rivers and lakes. It's simply part of growing up and living here. There are also several public swimming events on Swiss lakes. The most famous is probably the crossing of Lake Zurich that takes place every year where hundreds of people swim together across the lake. This years event will take place on July 3rd 2019.

So, if you are in Switzerland you should not hesitate to adopt the habit of swimming in the different bodies of water that are always around the corner. You'll fit right in! Current water temperatures of lakes, rivers and pools can be checked on Wie warm? (= How warm?). However, even if you are a good swimmer you should pay attention to the following rules and laws.

Rules for Swimming in Lakes and Rivers in Switzerland and elsewhere

Swimming in Lakes and Rivers:
  • Never leave small children unobserved near the water! They are still unaware of the dangers the water might pose.
  • Don't swim drunk or on drugs!
  • Don't swim with a full stomach or on an empty stomach.
  • If you're hot don't jump into the water without rinsing first. Your body needs some time to adjust to the cooler temperature of the water!
  • Don't jump into murky or unknown waters. You never know what might be in there!
  • Do not swim long distances on your own. Even the best swimmers need help sometimes!
  • Don't stay in cold water too long. Cold water may cause muscle cramps and hypothermia.
  • NEVER swim during thunderstorms! Lightning is very dangerous!
Swimming in Lakes:
  • Swimming in lakes is recommended in the shore area (max. 150m from the shore). The shore are is the only area where the use of various floatation devices (e.g. pool noodles, water rings, etc.) is allowed. 
  • You may swim in the middle of a lake (more than 150m from the shore) but it is recommended to do so only if accompanied by a boat. If you are on your own motor boats might not see you and run into you. Also if something happens there is no help nearby.
Swimming in Rivers:
  • Get ready to leave the river and choose a spot to get out. Sometimes it takes more than one try to leave the water in a river!
Swimming - Stephanie Hofschlaeger  / pixelio.de

More tips concerning swimming in lakes and rivers can be found on the website of the Swiss Life Guard Association.



© 2012 IRENE WYRSCH "A HUMOROUS GUIDE TO SWITZERLAND" ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

You have something to add or would like to ask a question? I would love to hear from you!

Popular posts from this blog

Schätzli, Schnüggel and Müüsli - Terms of Endearment in Swiss German

Kiss -  Oliver Haja  / pixelio.de If you've ever been invited to the home of a Swiss couple, you are probably familiar with the most popular Swiss German term of endearment "Schätzli" ('little treasure') or one of it's many varieties like e.g. "Schatz" or "Schätzeli" . Obviously, this is not the only pet name used by Swiss couples (or parents for that matter). Like many other languages, Swiss German offers a wide variety of words and phrases that you can use to address your loved one. Swiss German Terms of Endearment What most of these pet names have in common is the ending "-li" which basically turns the thing or person a word refers to into something small or cute. For example "Haus" means house and "Hüüs li " means small house. Plus, this ending "-li" can also be added to first names as a means of endearment, e.g. Benjamin li , Esther li or Fabienne li . I tried to come up with a colle
4 comments
Read more

How to Say 'I Love You' in Swiss German

To be completely honest, I'm not very fond of hallmark holidays and Valentine's Day is probably the mothership of them all. In my home there will be no cheesy cards or flowers on that day and, personally, I'm happy about it. However, I know that there are many people who like to celebrate Valentine's Day and take it as an opportunity to show their love and appreciation to their loves. Even in Switzerland, there are plenty of people celebrating it nowadays. If you're short on ideas for this years Valentine's Day in Switzerland you might find some inspiration here: Valentine's Day in Switzerland . If you're already set and have the perfect date ready, how about surprising your loved one with a few romantic Swiss German phrases? You should know that the expression "I love you" has only recently made its way into Swiss German from the High German "Ich liebe dich". Swiss people used to simply say "I like you" or "I like
3 comments
Read more

How to Spot a Swiss Person

"You're not from here, right?!" These were the words the saleslady of a small clothes store on a busy Tel Aviv street directed at me a few years ago. I was surprised she had spotted my foreignness so easily. After having lived in Israel for a few years and mastered the local Hebrew, I thought I was able to blend in quite well by then. So, I asked her how she knew. She replied with a smile and said: "You nicely folded the clothes you tried on before bringing them back out!" Oh that! Something I assumed was 'normal' but, apparently, the locals didn't do that. My Swiss background gave me away.  A Stereotypical (Swiss) Person As an expat I can usually spot fellow expats right away even if at first they seem to fit right in. Be they Swiss people I encounter abroad or foreigners living in Switzerland. Mostly, I catch a word or a phrase in a foreign language or see clothes or other items that are clearly not local. Here in South America it's very easy t
13 comments
Read more