Those things hanging over the Aare river

Raaaabert · #1 20.07.2010, 02:12

Was swimming in the Aare river the other day (Bern) and my friend asked me what are those things hanging over the river. Normally there are two on each section and each one has two vertical steel poles dangling down. I notice this is not unique to Bern/Aare and is probably quite common throughout Switzerland, perhaps even Europe.

They kind of look like a salom gate for kayaks or something but there are not enough of them, and they are too high off the river (probably about 4 feet+).

Any ideas?

#2 20.07.2010, 03:40

	Quote:	Raaaabert
	Was swimming in the Aare river the other day (Bern) and my friend asked me what are those things hanging over the river. Normally there are two on each section and each one has two vertical steel poles dangling down. I notice this is not unique to Bern/Aare and is probably quite common throughout Switzerland, perhaps even Europe. They kind of look like a salom gate for kayaks or something but there are not enough of them, and they are too high off the river (probably about 4 feet+). Any ideas?

Unless of course the river is low and quiet at the moment, and a couple of feet higher in level during the fast-flowing kayak season...

TheSpouse · #3 20.07.2010, 06:14

They are for this type of boating sport:
What are these guys in this boat doing?

Kittster · #4 20.07.2010, 07:35

^Yup, they are for the "Pontoniere".