#ticinomoments 2024

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#ticinomoments
Want to experience something new? Choose a holiday
centred around water and plunge into the enchanting
atmosphere of Lake Maggiore, where you can discover
the new frontier in water sports: foil surfing.
ONE FIN, INFINITE EMOTIONS
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
the two Surf Tribe 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.
BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPES
Wearing my swimming gear and life jacket, I
take off my flip-flops and… board the boat with
my friends.
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!
PURE ADRENALIN
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.
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!”
PART OF A TRIBE
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. I let the
sun dry my skin and enjoy the pleasant breeze
blowing gently at the end of the day.
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.
After this experience, I can confirm without
hesitation, and with a pinch of pride, that I
already feel part of this tribe.
FUN WITH FRIENDS
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.
Protip
Surf Tribe’s Axis A22 boat can accommodate
up to 10 people. Adults and children, beginners
and experts are all welcome.
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
TO THE
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