Summer is finally making its presence felt in Moscow, pushing temperatures past 30 degrees Celsius and warming up the city`s numerous waterways. As the mercury rises, so does the desire to get out on the water, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has firmly established itself as a popular way to do just that, right in the heart of the metropolis.
But what`s the price of gliding across the Moscow River or navigating a city pond this season? Official rental points around the city typically charge between 1,500 and 2,000 rubles per hour for a SUP board. For a more comprehensive experience, guided tours with instruction and accompaniment from an instructor run around 2,000 rubles for a two-hour program. Two-hour rentals without a guide range from 2,200 to 2,500 rubles. These prices, according to industry representatives, have remained relatively stable compared to last year, despite broader inflationary pressures.
Despite the heatwave, however, the anticipated summer rush hasn`t quite materialized yet. Alexey Sokolov, head of the Sup Outdoor club, notes a slower start to the season compared to previous years. “There`s no scent of a boom yet,” he observes, attributing it to the cool start of summer making people slow to react to the sudden change in weather. While applications for events and rentals are picking up, activity is “significantly more modest” than last year.
This somewhat sluggish official market coexists with a less regulated, often cheaper, alternative. The high potential profitability of SUP rentals – boards themselves can be bought online starting from 10,000 rubles, and maintenance costs are minimal – attracts operators looking for easy money. Since SUP boards aren`t legally classified as boats (not even small ones, being likened more to inflatable mattresses), no special permits or licenses are required. This loophole allows enterprising individuals to set up shop informally, sometimes literally hiding in the bushes along popular spots like Strogino Backwater, offering rentals for significantly lower prices, sometimes as low as 500-800 rubles per hour, advertised on platforms like Avito.
These unofficial operators offer minimal service and often disregard safety rules, such as providing life vests. Their main draw is price. While they can quickly recoup their initial investment, their presence creates unfair competition for legitimate businesses that invest in proper infrastructure, safety measures, and legal operation. Yuri Seliverstov, founder and head of the Sup-Unity SUP surfing club, recounts the bizarre reality of facing opposition not just from these grey market players, but from unexpected corners – like a local district deputy, seemingly with his own rental ambitions, filing complaints with various authorities based on invented violations, while the genuinely unregulated operators remain untouched.
The lack of clear regulation for SUP boards isn`t just a business issue; it`s a safety concern. Moscow`s waterways are increasingly busy, and a new mainstream trend is the rental of speedboats, often offered without requiring the operator to have a license, even though rules for small vessels (over 10.9 horsepower or 200 kg mass) clearly require them. Alexey Sokolov points out the alarming increase in such boats in areas like Serebryany Bor, noting around 20 vessels in a small 2-3 kilometer stretch, doubling from the previous year. Collisions at speed between boats and SUPs could result in serious injuries. While rules for motorized vessels exist, enforcement (carried out by GIMS staff) appears insufficient to manage the growing number of unregulated operators on the water.
Discussions about classifying and regulating inflatable boards to combat unscrupulous renters and improve safety have been ongoing. Current minimal requirements for rental points include designated launch areas, information boards, and mandatory life vests. Age restrictions are in place: no rentals for children under seven, and parental presence required for teenagers under 16. Proposed fines for both operators and individuals ignoring rules (ranging from 500 to 30,000 rubles) are still just that – proposals.
So, while the sunny weather beckons Moscow residents and visitors to the water, those looking to enjoy a peaceful paddle on a SUP might find themselves navigating a choppy landscape of competitive pricing, regulatory gaps, and unexpected obstacles, both on and off the water.
