Rhine hydrofoil and wakeboard surfing: Fly or ride

Pulled across the water on a foil board or surfboard, towed behind a motorboat on the Rhine.

Hydrofoil and wakeboard surfing on the Rhine near the border triangle, where you're towed behind a motorboat on either a foil board (which lifts you above the water on underwater wings) or a surfboard. The session runs about an hour and includes a motorboat with skipper, instructor, all equipment, life jacket and helmet. Children from age 12 are welcome. Guides speak English, Portuguese and German.

The experience

The session starts at Regioport near the border triangle, then the boat takes you downriver past the French border to calmer water where the Rhine widens and the current slows. That's where the training begins: outside the shipping channel, where conditions are stable enough to learn safely. You'll be towed behind the motorboat on either a foil board or a surfboard, holding a tow line the whole time.

Foiling feels like flying. The board has underwater wings that lift it above the water surface even at low speed, so you're suspended rather than skimming. The starter board is a 5'9" foil sup pro carbon with 87 liters of volume: enough buoyancy to make standing or kneeling easier when you're learning, and stable enough that you can progress without switching equipment right away. If you're already comfortable, smaller boards with less buoyancy are available. Surfing works like wakeboarding: you stand on a surfboard without foot straps, hold the tow line, and let the motorboat pull you across the water.

Your instructor stays with you throughout, and the motorboat skipper controls the speed and direction. Everyone wears a life jacket and helmet. The whole session takes about an hour, and you'll have the equipment sorted before you even get on the water.

What’s included

• Motorboat with skipper.
• instructor in English, Portuguese or German.
• foil board or surfboard.
• life jacket.
• helmet.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rhyfoil

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're based nearby without a car. The start point is reachable by public transport, and you choose between foiling (flying sensation) or surfing (staying closer to the water).

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I do this if I've never foiled or surfed before?

Yes. The starter foil board is designed for beginners. It has enough volume and stability to make standing easier, and the instructor teaches you from the start. Surfing works the same way: if you've ever tried wakeboarding, the motion is familiar.

What happens if I fall in the water?

You're wearing a life jacket and helmet the whole time. The motorboat is right there, and the instructor is with you. Falls are part of learning, and the Rhine is wide and calm where you'll be practicing.

Do I need to bring my own board or gear?

No. The motorboat, foil boards, surfboards, life jacket and helmet are all included. You just need to bring swimwear and a towel.

What's the difference between foiling and surfing here?

Foiling lifts you above the water on underwater wings. It feels weightless once you're up. Surfing keeps you on the surface like wakeboarding, with your feet free on the board. Both are towed by the same motorboat. You choose which one to try.