This draws on the “Flussbaden” (river bathing

 In Switzerland in summer, people can be seen commuting or going to school by floating down the Aare in Bern or the Rhine in Basel.
) culture that uses clean urban rivers: enter upstream, float for about 15–40 minutes, then exit at a landing to change and head to work. Clothes and laptops go in an air-inflated dry bag called a Wickelfisch, which also adds buoyancy. Best season: June–September on sunny days when water is ~18–23 °C. Safety tips: use signed entry/exit points; move toward shore well before bridges or weirs; avoid high water, murk, thunderstorms, and alcohol; don’t go alone; wear bright swimwear or a tow float; use a life jacket and river shoes if needed. Municipalities provide supervision and changing spots, keeping it an “everyday leisure” rather than a tourist show. First-timers should go with locals, choose a short stretch, and check levels and weather in advance.