13° Fondo nel Golfo e Campionato Regionale di Fondo - Città di Salò

In 1570, the small fleet from the Riviera di Salò set sail to join the Christian coalition against the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto. Upon their return, the ship’s bronze cannons were melted down to cast six ornate candelabras, which today still stand as silent sentinels inside the Duomo di Salò, overlooking the very waters where the race takes place. Swimmers entering the gulf now trace a path across a history defined by both maritime ambition and tectonic instability, as the area remains situated on a known seismic fault line that significantly altered the town's architectural profile following major events in 1901 and 2004.

Navigating the Gulf

Local conditions are shaped by the 'Boaren', a wind descending from the Valle Sabbia that creates a distinct Mediterranean-like microclimate within this corner of the Lake Garda basin. Athletes navigating the 4.5 km course pass the lush, protected sanctuary of San Biagio, historically known as 'Rabbit Island' for its former use as a game reserve, and glide past the neo-Gothic Villa Borghese Cavazza which dominates the island’s horizon. Beneath the surface, the seabed near the Lugone area holds the remnants of a Roman necropolis, with excavations having yielded 171 tombs and a rare vase-flask depicting ancient hunting rituals, now preserved in the local museum.

Race day logistics

Organized by the Società Canottieri Garda Salò, this 13th edition features three distinct distances—1.5 km, 3 km, and 4.5 km—all culminating at the Spiaggia Le Rive. The logistical complexity of managing maritime traffic in the gulf justifies the entry fees, which range from 30 to 40 EUR depending on registration timing, and includes an electronic chip, a numbered buoy, and the official event cap. While swimmers test their endurance in these waters, those seeking a longer challenge later in the season might look toward the Giro dell'Isola del Garda or the mountain-fringed waters of the Hydra Legendary Swim. Safety remains the priority, with a dedicated flotilla of support boats and mandatory water closures ensuring a clear path for all competitors, from the open water specialists to those competing in the regional championship.