Kitesurfing

In summer, you can see enthusiastic surfers standing on their boards in the west of South Tyrol - holding their kites firmly and hoping for the perfect wind. The spectacular jumps on the water of Lake Resia are just as fascinating to watch as the colourful kites and the elegance with which the athletes seem to glide effortlessly across the water.

The first experiments with this sport date back to the 1820s. Today, learning to kitesurf is based on dry land training, which covers a three-stage safety system: releasing the bar, activating the quick release, and, in an emergency, detaching the safety leash. Only after this preparation do you head onto the water for practical sessions. Step by step, you learn to steer the kite with precision.

At the same time, you must keep your balance. The months of June and July are ideal for this, thanks to the excellent wind conditions - and the occasional involuntary plunge into the cool water is all part of the fun. At the lower end of Lake Resia, near Curon, you will find the grounds of the local kitesurfing school, complete with a cosy bistro and a large lawn for dry land training. From the steps of the bistro, family and friends can watch the kitesurfers make their first attempts.

Even in winter, Lake Resia is famous for its excellent winds at 1,498 metres above sea level. During what is known as ice sailing, athletes glide rapidly across the frozen ice using sails and runners. There is no kitesurfing school directly on Lake Caldaro - due to the space and wind conditions, the focus there is mainly on professional windsurfing and stand-up paddling (SUP). A dedicated windsurfing school is available, and the lake is famous for it.