Friedrichshafen: Four men, four boards, one idea: stand-up paddlers cross Lake Constance in 3:45 hours

"Sometimes I sit on Lake Constance," says Dario Aemisegger, "and you do not see the other shore." Reason enough for the 41-year-old to be reconciled with a foggy day when you land, you would simply paddle north of Rorschach. They broke a compass, some provisions, some water and a lifejacket, and then you came to Friedrichshafen. Very simple So a project became a crazy idea and Dario Aemisegger, who discovered the stand-up paddle a few years ago, had three other paddlers on board.

Good preparation for a paddling

Beside Boris Bischof, Amateur like Dario Aemisegger, he was able to win David Hoppensack, who works for the importer of Fanatic boards in Switzerland, as well as the professional paddler Alain Luck . An appointment was also found quickly. Aemisegger, according to his own declarations "initiator of the failed revolution against the Bnzlis & Spiessbrger in St. Gallen" and organizer of the first "Strandfestwochen" from 1 to 12 August in Rorschach, could not imagine a better opening for his festival. In addition to a lot of culture, the "South Beach Classic Stand Up Paddle Experience" takes place for the first time on August 11th. The stand-up paddlers are then placed in the most southerly bay of Rohrschacher Bay of Lake Constance without competitive stress

Without any preparation, the four players did not want to approach their adventure but. After all, the distance between Rorschach and Friedrichshafen is 21 kilometers

ben between Rohrspitz and Wasserburg

"I've already paddled from Rohrspitz to Wasserburg," says Dario Aemisegger, preparing intensively with Boris Bischof. Because the muscles had to be built once. From the spring, the two made their rounds, first weeklies, last every day. "The slowest is probably me," Aemisegger scared despite his high training effort. No wonder, because Alain Luck paddles every day on this track to warm up and it is the fastest in Switzerland.

7:25: On the boards, it's gone, it's gone!

On Tuesday, July 24 at 7:25, the time had come: the four paddlers from the port of Rorschach embarked on the latest and best paintings, provided by David Hoppensack. "At first, it seemed like the lake would be very calm," says Boris Bishop. But in the middle of the lake they had to fight with high waves, which pushed the wind from the northeast of Bregenz. So, contrary to the usual, the four men had to paddle on the same side to avoid being aborted. "This has made the whole thing very demanding and one-sided," he says. But with the two sailboats that accompanied them, they were long enough to carry the 4.20 meters long hardboard from which you could not let out the air, the amateurs felt safe at all times.

Restoration of sailing companions

"We spent food and drinks on the way," says Sandra Bischof and her girlfriend Brigitte. So enough strength and stamina for the ride on the lake. Shortly after 11:00 am, after 3:45 am, the four paddlers entered the Federal Railroad harbor with their two accompanying boats. After crossing the bow wave of "Austria", Boris Bischof showed a pique on his dash, Alain Luck paddled on one leg on his professional race board.

Pay from Friedrichshafen to Rorschach next year? "Brigitte would like to play music from the city when we arrive," says Brigitte.