Foiling Surfing in Saxony: A Controversial Topic
Water sports enthusiasts are increasingly drawn to foil boards, which allow them to surf above the water at speeds of up to 50 km/h. However, foiling has been prohibited in Bavaria due to safety concerns, and there is now a legal battle unfolding in Saxony, where two surfers have been fined for using foil boards on lignite lakes.
Gerd S., a 49-year-old engineer, was fined €55 for wing foiling at Störmthaler See in April 2022. Similarly, Martin Wenzel, a 56-year-old real estate agency head from Dresden, was fined for using his e-foil on Geierswalder See in June. Both surfers objected to the fines, arguing that the shipping ordinance does not specifically mention foil surfing.
The confusion regarding the legal status of foil surfing has led to a lawsuit at the Chemnitz Administrative Court against the water sports paragraph in the regulation. The Inland Shipping Court is now waiting for the decision on this case before deciding on the fines for foil surfers.
This controversy underscores the growing popularity of foil boards among water sports enthusiasts, as well as the need for clear regulations to ensure the safety of everyone involved. As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how the use of foil boards will be regulated in Saxony and beyond.
