Bungeesurf Courses in Bern

This year, we are launching our successful bungeesurf courses for the sixth time! This is a collaboration between the bungee cord manufacturer Bungee Monkey and the Academic Surfclub Bern. In our beginner courses, our course instructors will teach you how to glide over the river in just four hours! Our courses maintain a very high safety standard, with concepts developed by trained SLRG lifeguards and experienced bungeesurfers. The courses are conducted in German or English. Our instructors also speak French, and if you're lucky, Spanish 🙂.

Course times: 08:30 AM to 12:30 PM
every Saturday

Location

Content

Safety

We meet in front of Kraftwerk Felsenau. We recommend arriving by public transport. To go directly to the location on Google Maps, click here.

Public transport: Take bus line 21 from Bern main station, 15 minutes + 5-minute walk.

Car/Van: There are no parking spaces in front of the power plant. The nearest parking lot is at Spital Tiefenau, followed by a 20-minute walk.

The four-hour course is structured as follows

We begin with dry exercises and safety inputs. This is followed by the practical part 🏄‍♀️, which makes up two-thirds of the course. Usually, you run out of energy before the time is up. So, you'll have plenty of time to surf 😉. Between your attempts, you'll have time to rest, receive feedback from the instructors, and analyze your runs with photos.

Safety is our top priority! ⚠️

All our instructors attend an annual internal safety course and are happy to answer any questions you may have. In the course, we address hazards and the correct behavior for bungeesurfing. Wearing a surf-specific safety vest is mandatory for all participants throughout the entire course.

The course in 10 images

In our courses, all participants receive their personal life jacket. We also ensure that there are enough surfboards available. If you would like to bring your own surfboard, you are welcome to do so. We recommend that participants wear a wetsuit (even in summer). You can either organize this yourself or rent one from the Academic Surfclub. Additionally, you should bring a small snack. Bungeesurfing, like any water sport, carries risks. Despite high safety standards, we require good swimming skills and physical fitness. Participation in the course is possible from the age of 18. Persons over 16 years old must bring a consent form from a legal guardian.

Your Bungeesurf Instructors

Adrian

Adrian studies law, is the founder of the Academic Surf Club, and leads the camp projects. He has been surfing for many years and has recently taken to river surfing as well. He is also a certified lifeguard (SLRG) and is significantly involved in the development of internal concepts.

Anja

Anja caught the surfing bug during her world tour and has been surfing on the Aare for the past three years. With great passion and enthusiasm, she shares her tips with you, ensuring you'll be standing on the board in no time.

Basile

Basile can be found on the Aare year-round, even during the low tides of winter. He particularly enjoys making big turns while cruising on the river. As a trained river lifeguard (SLRG), he's always happy to share tips and tricks. Currently, he's studying Geography and Biology.

Dominik

Dominik has been surfing on the Aare for about 10 years and is a co-founder of Royal Ropes GmbH. Since a trip to Brazil, he has become an avid kite surfer, practicing regularly both in Switzerland and abroad. Currently, he is studying Civil Engineering in his final master's semester at ETH Zurich.

Kamil

Kamil has always had a passion for water sports. As a teenager, he discovered surfing – since then, everything related to waves and boards has captivated him. Whether it's bungee surfing, surfing, pump foiling, or sailing – water is his element. Recently, he moved to Bern. With his open and easy-going nature, he wants to enrich and strengthen the community with his experiences.

Kyah

Ky is an Ecology Master's student and is an instructor at the Bernese Academic Surf Club. She is from Australia and grew up surfing/surf instructing and doing everything/anything in the water. She thinks Bern surf scene/vibe is so cool especially being so far away from the ocean. She has been river surfing for two years now and loves the community that it brings.

Luc

Luc is a co-founder of Royal Ropes GmbH and a seasoned surfer. His wide smile is always noticeable, no matter the time of day or the water temperature.

Luca

Luca has been surfing on the Aare for many years. He is our trick master and current record holder with 4 full spins in one run. In our courses, he is particularly noticeable for his direct and helpful manner, which he owes to his many years of involvement in the Scout movement.

Muriel

Muriel caught the surfing bug in France and has loved spending time on the board ever since. Whether it's summer or winter, let the good times roll! She especially enjoys hanging out in her favorite river, the Aare, in both warm and cold water, where she has been practicing bungee surfing for 1.5 years while eating pancakes on the side. She is currently studying geography in Bern and looks forward to many great surf sessions in the future.

Rahel

Rahel's favorite spot is the Altenbergsteg, where she practices new tricks and turns almost daily during the summer. She enjoys the relaxed evening sessions and peaceful morning hours with locals from all over the world. She is a licensed windsurfing instructor, surfer, and lifeguard (SLRG), and she loves nothing more than sharing her passion for surfing in an empowering way. When she's not at the sea, she's working on her PhD in Gender & Queer Studies.

Robin 

Robin studies at the PH Bern and is the current president of the Bernese Academic Surf Club. He is an enthusiastic bungee and kite surfer and has led the course offerings for several years. As a former lifeguard, he shares his passion for surfing with all course participants and provides them with everything they need to surf safely on the Aare.

Rumi

Rumi has had the incredible opportunity to live in four different countries. She is passionate about bungee surfing and loves sharing this exhilarating experience with others. She enjoys teaching and guiding people on their journey. Besides surfing, she studies psychology at the University of Bern. Additionally, she teaches surf skating at her local pump track. She is excited to help you too!

Skander

Years ago, while traveling the world, Skander caught the surfing bug in Samara, Costa Rica, and it hasn't let go of him since! Unfortunately, despite all his charm and effort, he couldn't bring the ocean to Switzerland. But he found a solution: he discovered bungeesurfing, and the same thing happened again! He got infected with the bungeesurfing fever! Since then, he has been experiencing the same highly contagious symptoms of great joy, fun, and courage. Plus, he has made many new friends along the way...😉

FAQ

What happens if I can't attend my course?

If you can't attend your course, you can send someone else in your place. Please contact us via WhatsApp or email at courses@academicsurfclub.ch with the name and clothing size of the person replacing you.

I forgot to book a wetsuit or neoprene shoes. What can I do now?

Please send us an email at courses@academicsurfclub.ch with your size details. We will then book one for you retroactively.

I bought a voucher. How can I redeem my voucher code?

Click on the "Book Now!" link at the top of this page and select the date. At the end of the booking process, you can click on "Redeem discount or voucher code" in the "Cart" and enter your code.

When do I know if my course is going to take place or not?

36 hours before the course starts (e.g., 2 days before a Saturday course, on Thursday evening at 8 PM), the organizer will make the final decision on whether the course will take place or not. He will let you know via a cancellation or a reminder email. If the course is canceled, you will be asked to choose another date.

What are the reasons a course is cancelled?

• The water flow according to BAFU is below 80 cubic meters/second (low water) or above 360 cubic meters/second (high water) (data from BAFU location Schönau).
• The forecast predicts a water level below 80 cubic meters/second or above 360 cubic meters/second at the time of the course.
• Fewer than 5 participants are registered for the course.
• Fewer than 3 instructors have agreed to lead the course.

Do I need to know how to surf to participate in the course?

No. Our beginner courses are designed for everyone, even if you have no surfing experience.

Is it an advantage if you have already surfed in the sea, in the river, or behind a boat?

Yes! But even if you have no experience, we will teach you everything you need to know and meet you at your current skill level.

I attended the course and I am hooked! What now?

We're glad to hear that 😀! If you are still studying or have studied before (UNI, ETH, PH, HF, FH), we recommend becoming a member of our Academic Surfclub. As a member, you will have free access to our weekly bungeesurfing sessions in Bern and throughout Switzerland. The membership fee is 29 CHF per year! This is what we like to call a "no brainer."

Is Bungeesurfing dangerous?

Bungeesurfing is a flowing water sport and, like all sports in this category, it has its risks. In our courses, you will be constantly monitored by three trained bungeesurf instructors who will intervene in case of an emergency. To ensure safety even outside of our courses, we recommend following the Safety Checklist from Bungeemonkey.

Difference between Courses and Sessions

For over five years, ASC Bern has organized weekly bungeesurfing sessions for its members during the summer months. In addition to these sessions, ASC Bern also offers regular bungeesurfing courses that are open to non-members. The sessions are designed as two-hour training sessions, while the courses are four-hour beginner courses aimed at all surf enthusiasts who want to learn bungeesurfing in a supervised setting.

Courses in Detail

• Goal: Guided beginner course to introduce the sport.
• Duration: 4 hours
• Time: Mornings on weekends
• Season: June – September
• Location: Kraftwerk Felsenau
• Participants: Open for everyone
• Cost: 59 CHF for members, 79 CHF for non-members
• Compensation: 150 CHF for instructors and 100 CHF for the organizer per course, the surplus from the courses goes towards infrastructure and event offerings of the club ASC Bern.

Sessions in Detail

• Goal: Open training for existing ASC members
• Duration: 2 hours
• Time: Evenings during the week and afternoons on weekends
• Season: As long as there is enough water (> 80m3/s)
• Location: Kraftwerk Felsenau (main spot), Altenbergsteg, etc.
• Participants: ASC members only
• Cost: 5 CHF per Session
• Compensation: Session masters work voluntarily but can surf for free during the sessions.