The rules are simple: The tambours in their red frocks are beating their drums. The boats (“Zillen”), three men in each, set forth from both banks of the Danube. In their sterns the combatants take their position,leaning on their long lances (2.80 meters = 9'2”). As the opposing boats meet, the duellers lift their lances and set their shoulders to the wooden crosspiece, aiming the round leather point at their counterpart.

The lances crash into ribcages. Whoever plunges into the water is defeated. Stepping down into the boat is also considered “getting wet”. The last man standing has kept “dry” and enters the next round. If both stay dry its a draw. The duel goes on until a winner is determined.

Every four years this tournament 'Ulmer Fischerstechen' take place in Ulm and it's fun for everybody to watch this scenes.