Surfing in Switzerland

Urbansurf Zürich – standing city wave✔ Verified

Tucked between the railway tracks and Frau Gerolds Garten in Zurich West, a few steps from Hardbrücke station, Urbansurf is an outdoor standing wave close to the Prime Tower. Up to six surfers share each 30-minute slot, taking turns on an endless wave framed by padded walls and deep enough water to make falls forgiving. Instructors supervise and help novices find their feet, while experienced riders can bring their own short board. Around the pool there is a bar, food and regular live music, and spectators get in free, so it works as an evening out even for friends who stay dry. Few places let you surf in the middle of a city.

Good to know: Bring an ID card or vehicle registration document to check in. Children need to be good swimmers, weigh at least 30 kg and wear a helmet, with an adult present.

Address

Geroldstrasse 11c, 8005 Zürich

Opening

Tue 15:30-22:00; Wed-Sat 11:30-23:00; Sun,Mon closed

Phone

+41 76 224 42 24

E-mail

kontakt@urbansurf.ch

Getting there

Zürich Hardbrücke station · a few minutes' walk

Requirements

Bring an ID card or vehicle registration document. Kids: no fear of water, good swimmers, at least 30 kg, helmet and an adult present; minimum age at parents' discretion. Fitting wetsuit provided on site; own boards (up to 6'2", leash required) and wetsuits allowed. Liability waiver (can be completed at home).

Source: freizeit.ch (prices) · Zürich Tourism (hours) · prices: operator website · checked 2026-10-10

Flusswelle Bremgarten – river wave (Reuss)✔ Verified

At Bremgarten in Aargau, near the military grounds, the Reuss forms a standing wave where fast water runs over a sill into slower water. It is one of the best-known river waves in Switzerland and part of what has made the town a centre of the Swiss surf scene. The wave works when the river level is roughly between 1.8 and 2.6 metres, mostly from May to September. Because the Reuss flows relatively slowly here, locals recommend a short board with a wide tail. There is no operator, no lifeguard and no fee: you surf at your own risk in a river whose conditions change quickly.

Good to know: Check the river gauge before you drive; outside the 1.8–2.6 m window the wave is not surfable.

Address

Reuss, Bremgarten AG (near the military grounds)

Prices are not published by the operator — ask when booking.

Source: Newly Swissed · checked 2026-10-10

Mühleplatz river wave – Thun (Aare)✔ Verified

In the middle of Thun, the Aare surges through the wooden sluice gates of the Mühleschleuse just after leaving Lake Thun, and spectators watch from the bridge above Mühleplatz. The wave is glacial, shallow and fast, with large stones under the surface and the main current running straight at a bridge pillar, so a fall gives you only seconds to get clear. The rear wave can be surfed holding a rope; the one nearest the bridge, nicknamed the Monster, mostly works in spring and has snapped boards and fins. Gate positions change several times a day. This is for experienced river surfers only; beginners are pointed to the deeper Scherzligschleuse wave instead.

Good to know: Gate settings and flow change during the day, so check the federal gauge (hydrodaten.admin.ch station 2030) and watch a few rides before paddling in.

Address

Mühleschleuse, Mühleplatz, 3600 Thun

Requirements

Experienced river surfers only. Surfed without rope (rope only on the rear wave, on the provided hook) and generally without leash. Usual kit: board, wetsuit, possibly booties, helmet, buoyancy/impact vest. No membership required. Rear wave works only with enough discharge, mainly in spring; gate positions change several times a day (gauge: hydrodaten.admin.ch station 2030).

Prices are not published by the operator — ask when booking.

Source: Newly Swissed · checked 2026-10-10

Bungeesurf Luzern – Geissmattbrücke (Reuss)✔ Verified

Bungee surfing on the Reuss in Lucerne happens mainly at the Geissmattbrücke, a bridge about 3 metres above the river downstream of the old town. A rider is held by an elastic line anchored on the bridge, which builds tension and slings them onto the current so they can ride the flowing water like a wave. Other bridges as far as Emmen are used too, but this stretch sees most of the action, mostly in summer. The water is cold and the river fast, so this is not for casual swimmers. There is no operator or supervision; talk to local riders before you try it.

Good to know: Get to know the local scene first: experienced riders can explain where the line is anchored and how the current behaves at the bridge.

Address

Geissmattbrücke, Reuss, Luzern

Prices are not published by the operator — ask when booking.

Source: Newly Swissed · checked 2026-10-10

OANA Citywave – indoor wave, Mall of Switzerland✔ Verified

Inside the Mall of Switzerland in Ebikon, just outside Lucerne, OANA runs what it calls Switzerland's only indoor surf spot, a Citywave standing wave in a 1,200 m² hall with warm water. The wave can be tuned from gentle for first-timers to steep and powerful for advanced manoeuvres, so mixed groups can surf the same session at different settings. Because it is indoors, it runs all year regardless of weather. The Bowlery restaurant looks straight onto the wave, which makes it easy for family and friends to watch, and the venue hosts birthdays and company events. A softtop board comes with each session and wetsuits are available.

Good to know: From Lucerne the S1 to Buchrain takes under ten minutes, then it is a two-minute walk. Surfers under 16 need written parental consent and a helmet.

Address

Mall of Switzerland, Ebikon (Lucerne)

Opening

Wed-Fri 12:30-21:00; Sat 10:30-21:00; Sun 10:30-17:30; Mon,Tue closed; 2026 Apr 06,2026 May 25,2026 Dec 08,2026 Dec 25 closed

Phone

+41 41 510 06 16

E-mail

booking@oana.surf

Getting there

S1 to Buchrain · 2 min walk · buses 1, 23, 111 stop by the entrance · Mall of Switzerland car park (paid)

Requirements

Minimum age 8 and height 1 m; under 16 only with written parental consent and helmet. Liability waiver for all surfers. Check in 20 min before. Bring swimwear and towel; softtop board included, wetsuit available on site.

Source: Newly Swissed · prices: operator website · checked 2026-10-10

Alaïa Bay – wave pool, Sion✔ Verified

Sion's Domaine des Iles, in the Rhône valley between vineyards and snow-capped peaks, is home to Alaïa Bay, a Wavegarden Cove pool that produces between 300 and 1,000 waves an hour. Each session is set to one level, from gentle Waikiki rollers for beginners through Malibu, Advanced and Expert to Pro and the punishing Beast Mode, so nobody shares the water with surfers far above or below them. Coached sessions include board and wetsuit, and there is surfing after dark under lights. The Twin Fin restaurant terrace overlooks the pool. At the time of writing it was described as the only commercial Cove-technology pool in continental Europe.

Good to know: The Twin Fin restaurant does not take reservations, so arrive early for a terrace seat; experts should limit themselves to a couple of sessions a day.

Address

Route d'Aproz 65, 1950 Sion

Opening

Mon 10:15-14:00; Tue 15:15-18:00; Wed,Thu 10:15-19:00; Fri 10:15-20:00; Sat 07:15-21:00; Sun 07:15-20:00

Phone

+41 27 322 71 71

Getting there

Bus 361 or B12 from Sion station to Sion, Tennis îles (stop in front) · large car park by Tennis des Iles

Requirements

Coached: beginner to intermediate, all equipment included. Guided: must be autonomous in the ocean. Free Surf: must be validated for free surf. Packs include softboard, wetsuit & winter kit.

Source: Newly Swissed · prices: operator website · checked 2026-10-10