Boating Tips for Czech Rivers and Locks

Practical lessons from years on Czech rivers and canals.

1. Learn the basic waterway signs before you set out. We’ve seen people enter clearly marked restricted areas more than once—and remember, a boat doesn’t have brakes.
2. Call the lock about 15 minutes before you arrive. When traveling upstream, ask the lock operator where they want you to wait. It can prevent stress, confusion, and damage. A bad approach can be hard to recover from.
3. Never tie the boat to a fixed point inside a lock. The consequences can be serious, and the lock cannot stop instantly. Our video shows exactly what not to do: YouTube.
4. If you’re unsure, ask. Deploy the fenders first, approach slowly, and communicate clearly.