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Paddleboarding, kitesurfing, waterskiing: the rules on Lake Geneva

Updated 17.10.2026

What to wear, and when and where you can go out, on each side of the lake.

Paddleboard, windsurf, wing, kitesurf

  • Buoyancy aid mandatory beyond 300 m from the shore (Geneva), one per person; on the French side, a buoyancy aid worn at all times.
  • Name and address of the owner, clearly visible, on the board and the wing or kite (Geneva).
  • Daytime only, in clear weather, between 8:00 and 21:00 at the latest (Geneva).
  • In Geneva, paddleboards and boards may not go downstream of the Port-Noir – Perle-du-Lac line, nor near landing stages; kitesurfing is prohibited downstream of the Vengeron – Tour-Carrée line.
  • Kitesurfing is prohibited in the federal waterbird reserves (OROEM). In the canton of Vaud, a cantonal regulation limits it to certain zones and corridors: check with the municipality.
  • On the French side, windsurfers and kitesurfers give way to all other boats.
  • Recommended: a leash, highly visible clothing, and keeping away from swimming areas, harbour channels and the passenger boat route.

Waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing

  • By day, in good visibility, beyond 300 m from the shore (or in a designated area).
  • An observer on board watches the skier; no more than two skiers at a time.
  • At least 50 m from any other boat and from swimmers.
  • In Geneva: between 8:00 and 21:00, a non-elastic rope never towed without a skier, and not downstream of the Port-Noir – Perle-du-Lac line.

Beach craft and jet skis

  • Pedalos, small inflatables and other beach craft stay within the 300 m shore zone.
  • On the French side, according to the Haute-Savoie prefecture, the Lake Geneva regulations in force since 1 June 2019 prohibit jet skis and other personal watercraft.

Where to go, rent, learn

The app lists 34 places for paddleboard, kayak and windsurf rental and lessons, 23 waterski and wake schools, 15 boat hire companies and 8 watersports shops, each one checked (Sports outing menu). Its sport-by-sport map layers show flat water, windy areas and sheltered spots, hour by hour.

Open the Lake Geneva map

See also

The Navigating Lake Geneva guide, and: Boat licence, Right of way, buoyage, lights, Speeds and zones, Safety and equipment, Emergencies and rescue.

Sources