Garda Lake (Lago di Garda) in the North of Italy and close to the city of Verona is an amazing spot for kiting as throughout the year it gets consistent winds in its Northern part. The Southern part of the lake gets windy when the big storms arrive. The Northern wind is called "Peler" by the locals. It is gusty and strong (between 20 and 30 knots) and is cold. The Southerly wind is called "Ora". It is a thermal wind, warm, light and constant (between 10 and 18 knots), suitable for beginners.
Normally the water is flat, but when the wind is strong (more than 25 knots) the chop can get up to 1 or 2 meters high. There are many kiteschools around Lake Garda. Just between Brenzone and Navene there are about 20 kiteschools. There are no sandy beaches or launch areas around the lake. The rocky lake shore is very close to the street and to avoid accidents launching from the shore, except in one spot, has been prohibited. Kiteschools normally take their students to the middle of the water on their boats and launch their kites from there. kiters have to rig their kites and then put them back in their kitebags before getting on the boat!
XKite students and instructors launching from their boats
The one beach spot where expert kiters can launch from is in Navene and is called Kite Club Malcesine.
Narrow launch area at Navene Beach
The beach here is very small, so expert kiters put their lines in a tunnel and launch from there. It is a crazy spot! See picture bellow.
Launching from the tunnel
The kite club has a rescue boat, bathrooms, showers, and a parking area. There is another less known small beach in Malcesine where some expert kiters unlawfully launch from. If caught, these kiters will have to pay a hefty fine. But they get away by launching their kites as early as 6:30 in the morning, to escape the Italian police who do not start working until later in the day!
Lake Garda is surrounded by big mountains and the water comes from the Alps, so the water is very cold. The lake is windy in the winter time but not many people dare kite when the water is 5 degrees centigrade. The kiting season normally starts in March or april, when the water is about 12 degrees centigrade. Kiters wear a dry suit or a 5.5 mm wetsuit. In the Summer months (from June to September) kiters normally use a 3.5 mm wetsuit in the morning and a shorty in the afternoon.
There are many hotels around the lake and the nightly rate starts from 30 euros per person. Every year many people visit Lake Garda but it is not all for kitesurfing. Some come for climbing, mountain biking, trekking, or just to party. Kitesurfers should not miss the famous "Kitepirinhas" parties, organized by local kiter girls of lake Garda. Nice people, good music, and lots of drinks! Be sure to try their famous Brazilian caipirinhas if you visit : )
"Kitepirinhas" party!
Nearest airports to Lake Garda: Verona, Bolzano, Milano (Orio al Serio)