• Sport
  • foil
  • watersports
  • fun

On the crest of the wave

THE PERFECT MOMENT
  • 9 July - 15.30
  • 30°
  • 25°
  • Energic

Yes, you’ve done it. You’ve got onto the board, you’ve built your confidence and you’re now surfing happily on Lake Maggiore. It feels amazing. The sun is shining, the temperature is perfect. You’re riding the waves, while out of the corner of your eye you glimpse the Beach Bar where you’ll have an aperitivo later. Your friends shout encouragement from the boat that is pulling you and can’t wait to have a go too.

The adventure begins at the Bagno Pubblico in Tenero, at Beach Bar WakeInn to be precise. I have an appointment at the bar at 4.00 p.m. with two instructors, Fabio and Mattia.

My friends and I receive a warm welcome. After listening to the rules and safety information, it’s time to get the equipment and decide which of the many water sports we want to do: wakeboarding, wakesurfing, waterskiing or foil surfing? I’d like to try them all, but I choose foil surfing because I’ve heard it allows you to perform some very intense moves on the waves. Fabio approves my choice, assuring me that it will definitely be an unforgettable experience. For those who’ve never heard of it, foil surfing uses a long, hydrodynamic fin with wings secured under the board. The best thing is that it mitigates the effects of the wind on the surface of the water, reducing friction and making it possible to rise up and tilt more rapidly. This makes wakesurfing with a foil an exciting experience, with no need for big waves to have fun. 

And what a boat! Mattia explains that thanks to the “power wedge” system, the waves generated by its passage are perfect for both beginners and more expert “riders”. We make ourselves comfortable and are out on the water in a few minutes. In the meantime I admire the surrounding landscape: the Bolle di Magadino and the nature reserve; the Maggia Delta where the waters are a crystal blue; the colourful houses along the shoreline and the peaks all around, reflected in Lake Maggiore. What heaven!

Water sports, Lake Maggiore

Water sports, Lake Maggiore

Wakeboard, Lake Maggiore

Wakeboard, Lake Maggiore

Water sports, Lake Maggiore

Water sports, Lake Maggiore

Concentrating hard to remain on the crest of the wave

Concentrating hard to remain on the crest of the wave

Wakesurf, Lake Maggiore

Wakesurf, Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore

Bar WakeInn, Tenero

Bar WakeInn, Tenero

The time has come to dive in. We’ll each have a 15-minute surfing session. It might not seem very long, but hydrofoiling can tire you out very fast. You need a degree of concentration to tame the thrust of the waves.  

Fortunately the lake is calm. I leap into the water and wait for the boat to start moving, my feet already on the board. One, two, three and… hop! I jump on the board, adjust my body position and allow myself to be pulled along as I hold tight to the rope. As soon as I feel I’ve got my balance, I let go. “Wow! It’s amazing. It’s like flying on water!” I’m surfing on the crest of the waves generated by the wake of the boat. The wind on my skin and water splashing my face: what a sense of freedom! My adrenalin is through the roof, while my friends on the boat cheer and shout out: “Go! Go! You’re doing great!” Time flies when you’re having fun. I hand over the board to my travel companions, feeling tired and satisfied as I take my place in the boat. Now it’s my turn to cheer on my friends. Mutual support and sharing advice on riding the waves is an integral part of water sports. Fabio says that there is a real community, or better still, a tribe of surfers in Ticino. Not many people are involved in this sport around here yet, but they really want to show that Lake Maggiore offers truly exceptional conditions for it.

All that sun, water and wind have drained my energy and I’m looking forward to getting back to the friendly Beach Bar. The boat returns to the Bagno Pubblico, which has filled up with people in the meantime. Lounge music is playing, the grill is lit and the tables are lined with all sorts of colourful, refreshing drinks. I look out from the bar over a small sandy beach, two palm trees and a wonderful sunset that spills across Lake Maggiore. The day feels like a short but extremely intense holiday.

Giovanni Kappenberger e Mattia Soldati, - glaciologist and Forestry Department employee.
Giovanni Kappenberger e Mattia Soldati,glaciologist and Forestry Department employee.
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