I was thinking the same😉
Do you have any writings of all of this as what as been said over the phone will not be considered as a proof when time comes ? If not, just ask them to write a summary. If they don’t want to, I would send them a letter (recorded delivery) summarizing what has been said over the phone and with whom.
I have a letter from them, where they say that it can not be registered because it does not comply with there registration catogory. So I think this should be enough to show the police.
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Hey Rienk, interesting news. So far I have always been riding in the evenings to avoid crowds and attention.
Have you already encountered police so far at all?
I have never encountered waterpolice but I think I will this year, because I am planning to ride more on the river. Last year I only did this once and most of the time I was at my local water where you don’t see the waterpolice very often.
Take this letter and have it on you, or take a picture of it, or better yet, get it laminated and keep it in your board. If you get stopped show them the letter. What doesn’t fit a category, what isn’t prohibited is allowed I would think. Good luck!
I’m in Hawaii. I researched the rules. They basically say anything with a motor has to be registered. So, I would have to put identification numbers on both sides of the nose, and a registration sticker.
As I dug deeper I found something that said “Surfboards” are exempt from requiring safety equipment.
However…my concern is that as these things become more popular the authorities will probably crack down and regulate them like “Jet Ski’s”, “Thrill Crafts”, “PWC”. Then they will be super regulated and only legal to ride in a few specific locations.
I’m not gonna register mine. I stay away from boat harbors, beaches with lifeguards, and parks or beaches with lots of people.
Don’t draw a crowd. Stay under the radar. If authorities bother you play dumb. Say sorry and leave. I’ll let you know how it goes!
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Okay. I had the same plan. Riding the same round is only so much fun.
But before venturing out I think I will go through same path as you did. You tried to register via “RDW vaartuig registreren” ?
You mentioned a hull number, did you just paint an imaginary number?
This is my hull number, made it myself just by looking at other hull numbers so it has the same style. I did it via the website “vaartuigregistreren” wil cost you €54 you have to pay in front and you don’t get it back if registration is not possible.
Thanks Rienk. I am going to give it a try. I am not surprised they don’t do a refund 
I`m from Pfäffikon ZH and asked the Seapolice ZH already a year ago. The answer was: Electrically powered surfboards are generally prohibited in Switzerland.
I have also asked the Schiffartsamt (Zulassungsamt) Konstanz if it is allowed to ride on Bodensee and if it possible to get a registration number. I do not have the answer e-mail anymore, but the answer was “is not allowed and there is also no single permission granted”.
I just got a visit from the waterpolice. I Live next to the water so when I saw them coming I got my board out of the water in my own garden. They stopped by and where very friendly and intrested about my board. They told me they will not fine me but the max speed here is 6km/h. I had to give them a demo and they took some pictures. They will try to get some information for me if it is possible to register my board.
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starting my build and I live in Germany I’m currently stationed here. Does anyone know if a Water Jet Surfboard allowed on the Rhein River. I live in mainz on the rhein and this would be awesome to do this. I have inflatable standup paddleboard but I am designing a Water Jet purpulsion that attaches to the fin box.
Hey Rienk,
Sounds interesting. I guess the 6 km/h speed limit in your area is for all objects on the water, right? Do you have a section nearby where this is not the case?
Nice that they were this interested and helpful.
Yes it is 6km/h here everywhere. I can also go to the river, it is only a few km away from home. But there is more trafic so I like to efoil in the channel where I can jump in from the backyard.
German dudes,
I think I owe you an update on my recent water police encounters.
Was giving a lesson to a new efoil enthusiast and was stopped once more. This time by the undercover water police (yes they exist). But this time I came prepared, I had printed out the letter from Andreas from e-Surfer stating that the Bundeswasserstrassenamt categorizes efoils as Kleinwasserfahrzeug (basically small boats) and was free to continue foiling as I pleased.
This feels like a massive win!
Basically we are allowed to foil circles around the other boats.
At least on Bundeswasserstrassen that is. Lakes are a different issue still.
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Hi Bernd,
this are great news. Can you share that letter please?
I copy&pasted from e-surfer into word. Will laminate the page soon. (Got stopped 3 times this year so far.)
Somewhere in the middle number 1 for Germany…
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Thx! I actually have an IBS (internationaler Bootsschein) for my efoil. From ADAC. This will help to argue to ride a “small boat”. Where did your policeman encounters take place?
Cheers
Not sure your ADAC registration helps. (And my board is officially registered as well, but that doesn’t help either)
Key question is whether efoils are Wassermotorräder (closest to PWCs for the English speaking readers here).
ADAC states:
“ Ausnahmen* Wassermotorräder: Diese müssen für Fahrten innerhalb Deutschlands ein amtliches Kennzeichen eines Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamtes führen.”
Amt für Wasserstraßen Münster says they aren’t though. Which is good news. I did get a ticket in the past for being a Wassermotorrad.
Water police encounters so far:
- Dämmeritzsee with friendly reminder to register but no fine
- Seddinsee now registered but still 55EUR fine for being a PWC not holding a straight course
- Müggelsee No fine all good
(all part of Bundeswasserstrasse, all close to/in Berlin area)
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i am moving to kaui - and wondering about the same thing,
before i purchase, *( also r u the person that i spoke with on kaui about lesson ?
i am excited about trying it.