NSW
1173 posts
I'm heading to Lake Garda for a week from 30th June - does anyone have any ideas on whether I need a wetsuit and do you have any opinions on where I should hire kit from?
And before you say it, yes I know I should be going to Morocco or Portugal for some waves but it's not my choice!
Cheers
WA
153 posts
where in Wales are you going to be? If you're anywhere near the coast (particularly south) you could get some decent waves and possibly a bit of seabreeze if you're really lucky
Either way you're a lucky %^#%@
NSW
1173 posts
I'll be in Cardiff, so close to The Knapp, Rest Bay and even the Gower - but I won't have any kit with me! I could try to borrow some gear off Scott from Rat Rigs in Cardiff, but I don't have a car so it's going to be tricky!
WA
44 posts
I was there last July, it was hot ( no wet suit) and beautiful clean water that you could drink!
The lake is long and thin 50k X 4k with 500m cliffs either side of the trench.It has two breezes NE in the morning and SW in the arvo, both winds around 20 kts with a 4 hour calm around midday The best wind is, of obviously, at the downwind ends of the lake. We stayed in the middle, southside at Malchesine? So we got the best average.
No boozing at night, the strongest sail is at 7am, I would wake up and see 150 boards and kites sailing from my hotel balcony over breakfast, and I only had Lake glimses! there would be 3000 in all perhaps..just incredible.
I was there to race keelboats, but still managed a couple of afternoon boardsails, how was it?....... pretty bad. The wind is strong, hot, but hollow, most sail 120 litre boards because of the holes, you will need boots cos the shore is rocky. If you expect something like a WA sea breeze forget it! but the Euros love it and it is a great experience.
There hundreds of board shops with top quality gear, spread along the roads beside the lake so hiring gear is really easy, and if your smart with big sails and slalom boards you will have a ball....Best of luck..Jay
WA
638 posts
I have been there several times ,the last few I havnt windsurfed it or kited any more.Theres heaps more to do , para sailing from Monte Baldo, mountain bike etc, its just a great allround spot.
The wind in the morning ( north wind) is usually stronger than in the afternoon (southwind).
A town like Malcesiene is probably a good spot to stay and sail the morning wind I used to use a wave board with 5m sail 85kgs and fully powerd.
The wind can kick up a 1 meter wave and its not bad considering your on a lake.
The water is always cold and Id recomend a spring suit even in July.
Lots of hire places at the north end of the lake (Riva and Torbole)
For a day off the water,take the cable car to the half way point or top of Monte Baldo, which has its base station in Malcesiene and walk back down the hill, will take a few hours, stunning
NSW
1173 posts
Thanks Jaymac and RayQ - can't wait to get there now and hopefully it'll be warmer (and drier) than Sydney.
NSW
1173 posts
DavMen, I ended up windsurfing for one whole day out of the 7 that I was at Garda! I went to Vasco Renna - they were good but no where near and good as the equivalents in Greece and the Canary Isles (you only get to change your rig and board once per day - whereas I've always had endless rig and board changes).
They said it was 15-17 knots, I wasn't so sure so took out an 8m, only just got planning then headed in and changed for a 9.5m which got me going. Not ideal as I was there for freestyle!
If anybody is considering going to Garda for windsurfing, make sure you stay at the northern end - we were down south and it was a 1 hour drive, and there's no sign of wind. We may have missed out but apparanetly the season hasn't really got going this year - maybe it's a trend?!
NSW
1510 posts
Crash - What was the water temp like, yep its a long drive from south to north - very pretty (the first time) though. Been there (tail end of Winter) but never sailed.
NSW
1173 posts
Most people were in short wetsuits, but i went out in boardies and was fine. Probably about 19-20 degrees, but air temp was 30+.
