eFoiling in Bavaria: What’s Really Allowed and How We’re Trying to Mak

So… You Probably Googled Something Like “eFoil Starnberger See”

Or maybe it was “efoil lesson in Munich”, "efoil Rental Ammersee" or “Where to ride eFoil on Chiemsee?” Maybe you found an ad that says private sessions on request, or some influencer said they were “exploring Bavarian lakes with their Fliteboard.” And now you’re wondering… is this legal? Can I do it?

Short answer? Nope.

Long answer? It’s complicated and a few sketchy folks are tiptoeing around the truth. Let’s talk about it like adults. Like people who just want to fly over water without getting fined by the Wasserschutzpolizei and kill the fun for the whole community.

The Reality: Bavarian Lakes Are Off-Limits for eFoils

We love lakes. We really do. But lakes like Starnberger See, Chiemsee, Tegernsee, Ammersee, and all others, are under strict environmental protection. That means no motorized watercraft allowed. And yes, an electric hydrofoil still counts.

For instance, at Starnberger See, the water body is managed by the Bayerische Schlösser- und Seenverwaltung. It’s also a protected RAMSAR wetland and nature sanctuary, meaning motorized water activity (including e‑foiling) is generally prohibited without special permits. As of now, no private‑law permit has been granted even though many tried already. So while it may be tempting to cruise at sunset with your Fliteboard on Starnberger See, that’s currently not permitted. There have been multiple confirmed cases of people being stopped by authorities, facing fines, board confiscation, and in some cases, being permanently flagged for further inspections.

Still want to try your luck? Cool. But don’t be surprised when the Fun Police boat aka Wasserschutzpolizei does a U-turn just for you.

And just so there’s no misunderstanding: They better do and we fully support it. We have a deep respect for the Wasserschutzpolizei. Across Germany, we’ve had the privilege of working closely with their teams, and honestly, they’re one of the most important reasons our lakes and coastlines remain so breathtakingly beautiful. These folks don’t just enforce the rules, they help protect the very nature that makes eFoiling such an incredible experience in the first place. We’re not here to play games or dodge the system, we’re here to help build one that works for everyone, with them alongside us.

But Wait, Why Are Others Offering eFoil Courses on These Lakes?

Good question. And one we’re asked all the time and it's getting a bit annoying tbh. There’s been a rise in what we call the “I bought a board, now I’m a trainer” crowd. These are folks who got excited about the sport (understandably), bought one or two eFoils, and then figured they could easily “refinance” it by offering lessons or rentals.

We love the passion. We really do. These setups often involve:

One or two single boards
No trainer certification
No proper safety procedures
No insurance
No structure
a paypal link or the sentence "please bring the cash"

But most importantly, no transparency that you're participating in breaking the rules.

These providers market their “courses” using pretty websites, throw in keywords like “eFoil rental Starnberger See” or “e-surfboard Munich lake”, and hope you won’t ask too many questions. What they won’t tell you is that you, the customer, are the one actually breaking regulations, putting you in a dangerous position knowingly, without informing you. Instead, they use phrases like “flexible locations,” “quiet zones,” or the classic “there’s no clear regulation yet.” That’s marketing code for “we’re hoping no one gets caught.” You, as the customer, are being placed in the middle of a legal violation, without even knowing it. And that’s not just shady, it’s dangerous for the standing or a whole sport.

What We’re Doing Differently (And Why We Care)

At eFoil Riders, we didn’t just set up shop and hope no one noticed. We worked for years to build something sustainable, legal, and future-proof. This is how we became Europes biggest community/ reseller and we’re proud to say that we’re currently operating the only officially approved eFoil riding track in all of Bavaria.

Where? At the Olympic Regatta Course in Munich, in partnership with the Olympic Sports Center. This is a fully legal site with a safety infrastructure, trained guides, and the possibility to ride without any nasty surprises.

A surf instructor explains to his student on a pier how to ride a fliteboard, next to them are various boards and in the background you can see the regatta course in Munich.

We don't have to bribe anyone top look the other way when we ride. We just played it straight, worked with authorities, and built something that shows how eFoiling can be done right for everyone’s benefit and to build a strong case for proper regulation.

If You’re Just a Lakeside Property Owner with a Fliteboard, Relax

Look, if you’ve got a dreamy villa by the water and want to sneak in a solo ride before dinner that’s your call. We’re not here to judge your private sunset moment. We get it. You’re not teaching courses. You’re not risking others. You’re not trying to build a business out of it. Many of our clients do this and they found ways to engage with their neighbors and local community in ways that dont endanger otehrs or the nature. In some cases we evern work with them to futher push our cause of changing the current regulation.

But if you’re advertising eFoil courses on Instagram, bringing people to lakes where it’s not allowed, and not mentioning the legal risks? That’s where we draw the line. Because you’re putting the entire sport at risk. Every person that gets caught makes it harder to negotiate for new access points. Every shady session pushes the timeline for legalization further back. And that’s just not worth it.

We Want You Involved The Right Way

We’re not gatekeepers. We’re not here to scare anyone away. Actually, we’re stoked that you found this sport and want to be part of it.

If you’re curious, come hang out with us. If you’re thinking about becoming an instructor one day, let’s talk. We’re happy to help you get started the right way. With gear, advice, and even access to our extended training network across Europe.We run beginner-friendly sessions, group events, demo rides, and high-end courses for pros — all with the proper permissions, safety briefings, and top-tier gear (Fliteboard, Audi eFoil, Lift Foil, you name it). And we’re constantly expanding.

This Isn’t About Being “By the Book”, It’s About Playing Long-Term

At the end of the day, we want more people flying over the water. But we want to do it in a way that keeps the door open for everyone, not slammed shut because someone wanted to make a few quick bucks teaching courses where they’re not allowed.

If you’ve made it this far down the page, it probably means you care. And that’s exactly the kind of person we want in this community.So if you’re looking for legal eFoil courses in Bavaria, a safe place to ride in Munich, or just the most honest answer on “Can I ride my eFoil here?” — you’re in the right place.

Send us a message. Join us for a session. Or just follow along and see what comes next.We’re here. We’re flying. And you’re always welcome to join.You can join our community on our community page or head over to our Munich team page. See you on the water.