What you need to know for safe MOTOsurfing in Germany:
License
Registration
Insurance - Comprehensive and Liability
The JetSurf Club Germany, the MOTOSURF CLUB GERMANY e.V., and our partner NAMMERT® “The Boat Insurer” offer solutions tailored to your MotoSurf boards in every respect. The following text has been provided courtesy of NAMMERT®.
To avoid having to rely on the wind and to be able to surf anytime, anywhere, a MotoSurf board is definitely the way to go. The popularity of these devices is growing rapidly, so more and more people want to experience the thrill of riding them on local waters. Especially when the next vacation is still a long way off and you still want to enjoy the beautiful weather on the water. But before you launch the MotoSurf board, there are a few questions that need to be answered.
Licence
These are the rules in Germany:
According to boating regulations, the licensing requirements for a MotoSurf are the same as those for a boat or jet ski and are based on horsepower.
With a power output of 15 hp, the MotoSurfer with a combustion engine requires a boat license for the area in which it is operated.
Press release from the DMYV on this matter (GER)
Registration
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:
If the board has a motor power of 3 hp or more, registration is required in German waters and can be applied for at the relevant Waterways and Shipping Authority
This applies to all boards. The label must, of course, be affixed directly to the board.
We'll custom-make your license plate exactly the way you want it!
We'll help you register your board!
Riding areas
JETSURF SPOTS
In general, MotoSurf boards are classified as personal watercraft and are permitted to use the same waterways as jet skis. Here, riders can also perform tricks and truly enjoy the thrill of surfing.
Otherwise, it is also possible to use the remaining waterways for recreational boating. However, performing tricks and the actual fun of surfing are strictly prohibited here!
You can find a map with spots, notes and information on JETSURF.guide, operated by JetSurf Club Germany.
Sales partners and training locations are also listed on JETSURF.guide.
Insurance
As a general rule, you should contact your personal liability insurance provider to determine whether any damage resulting from the use of the board is covered—similar to a non-motorized surfboard. The use of surfboards falls under the coverage of personal liability insurance and also includes other watercraft with a power output of up to 11.03 kW (15 hp). The situation is different when it comes to damage to your own board. Standard home contents insurance is not suitable for providing optimal and comprehensive coverage for a MotoSurf, so it is definitely recommended to take out separate comprehensive insurance. Ultimately, this is the only way to ensure that, for example, theft is properly covered, as the requirements of home contents insurers do not align with the actual manner in which the board is used. Likewise, household insurance does not cover damage resulting from one’s own clumsy use or accidents. Due to the novelty of MotoSurfs, it is currently still difficult to find an insurance provider willing to cover these water sports devices. Some insurance companies reject them outright, while others view them as special risks. In particular, the risk of accidents arising from the use of a MotoSurf is currently very difficult, if not impossible, to assess. This makes general risk assessment difficult and renders it nearly impossible for many insurers to develop appropriate coverage. However, since “difficult” does not mean impossible, specific insurance plans for MotoSurf boards are already in the works at NAMMERT®, “The Boat Insurer.”
