E-SUP – a public nuisance

Let me start by saying this: electric stand-up paddleboards, electric foil boards and SUP fins with electric propulsion (or rather: electric propulsion support) are not permitted on Swiss lakes (page in German). And that’s a good thing. Being pushed across the water on a motorised air mattress is absurd on so many levels – even if you’re still using your paddle a bit.

True paddling without motor assistance means leaving solid ground, gaining new body awareness, improving your fitness and balance as well as boosting your health at the same time. So it’s not surprising that Blue Spaces, i.e. areas near water, are considered particularly beneficial to your health as they encourage physical activity. So I really struggle to understand why the electric SUP board by Slovenian manufacturer Sipa won an ISPO award.

Unlike an e-bike, an e-SUP doesn’t promote mobility. An electric bike can, at best, replace a car for short distances (I know it’s also used for leisure and sports, but that’s another discussion). An e-SUP, however, is designed to be used instead of a non-motorised version requiring your body’s own muscle power.

So this piece of water sports equipment, with its batteries and a motor that looks like a hand blender, doesn’t really fit in with the concept of sustainability preached all across the trade fair.

Stand-up paddling is for almost everyone – no need for an electric whisk

Stand-up paddleboarding is easy to learn and anyone who enjoys and respects the water and nature will soon be safely on the move. There’s no motorised mini-propeller involved, so you rely solely on your own skills and knowledge.

As an SUP instructor, I’ve been teaching people of all ages for around ten years. I’ve even had people over 70 in my courses. In my experience, almost anyone can learn how to stand-up paddle.

Sure, newcomers will cover shorter distances at first. But with a bit of practice comes improved fitness. As soon as you know it, even long distances with a headwind are a breeze. It’s always a good idea to pinpoint emergency exits before setting off, in case there’s a problem, you overestimate your strength or something unforeseen happens. Besides, it’s not like you have to keep going faster and further. A leisurely paddle on calm water isn’t to be sniffed at either.

If you roughly know about nature reserves, right of way rules on water and weather conditions, you’ll enjoy paddling more and be safer and more relaxed on water. I sometimes cover almost 3,000 kilometres a year on an SUP in all kinds of conditions, so I know what I’m talking about. Stand-up paddling is a relatively safe sport. If you use your common sense instead of the electric whisk and wear a life jacket, it’s even low-risk.

I doubt an e-SUP is safer

But the safety aspect of electric SUPs is precisely what the manufacturer highlights to me. It’s also their main argument against the e-SUP ban in Switzerland. The manufacturer goes on to claim that, thanks to electric assistance, paddlers will always manage to return to their starting point.

I call BS. If the wind’s up, a small electric motor won’t stand a chance against wind resistance and surface current. In theory, the speed you’re paddling at plus the power of the motor add up. In practice, however, this only works to a limited extent, as the thrust of the motor reduces the pressure on the paddle and therefore its efficiency.

Depending on the model, a board equipped with a motor weighs between 12.5 and 14.9 kilogrammes. This was confirmed to me by the manufacturer at Outdoor by ISPO. Compared to a conventional seven- to nine-kilo board, the weight of an e-SUP makes it much harder to accelerate.

Not to mention the choppy water. In these kinds of situations, it’s not a question of lacking strength or fitness, but of balance. So, again, a small electric motor won’t help. On the contrary. A motor often poses problems paddlers wouldn’t have had in the first place, if they’d relied on their own ability and strength and kept an eye on the weather and their surroundings.

A motor defeats the purpose of paddling

It’s worth knowing that wind and currents don’t appear out of nowhere. Weather apps are pretty reliable when it comes to making predictions. But that’s just one measure. Asking locals about good entry points can also be useful. If you keep an eye on the wind, small waves on the water and the clouds, it’s unlikely you’ll be surprised by a change in the weather. Let’s say you’ve paddled out a few kilometres against the wind. That same wind will often push you back to shore. For free, no battery required.

If you’re using a motor, you’ll miss out on what paddling’s really about. Psychologists use the term self-efficacy (page in German) when people master a challenge. This also boosts self-confidence and well-being. I certainly wouldn’t rely on a battery-powered device on the water. And that’s why I have absolutely nothing against e-SUPs being banned from Swiss waters for the time being.