Da Riva A Riva

The Da Riva A Riva swimming event, organized by the Canottieri città di Omegna, takes place on July 26, 2026, offering two distinct course distances: 850 meters and 1,700 meters. The race is set in the northern reaches of Lake Orta, with the longer distance involving a round-trip route between Bagnella and Borca, and the shorter option starting from Borca. Participation is capped at 400 swimmers, reflecting the logistical coordination required for this lake-based challenge.

The water and the landscape

As you navigate these waters, you are swimming through a geography of exceptions. The Nigoglia river, the only outflow of the lake, is famous for flowing north toward the Alps, a stubborn defiance of the standard southward path taken by most subalpine drainage systems—a curiosity famously immortalized in local mottos and the works of Gianni Rodari. The shoreline itself is marked by the medieval Porta Romana, the last surviving gate of the original five that defined the town's defensive perimeter. Further along the bank, the Church of Sant'Ambrogio remains a dominant sight; its medieval bell tower stands guard over the relics of St. Vith, the city's patron, which are preserved in an urn within the building.

Swimming here also means crossing paths with a dark corner of local history. On May 29, 1798, the young Milanese Graziano Belloni was executed by firing squad in Omegna following a violent skirmish between French revolutionary forces and the Savoyard troops of the Marquis d'Oncieux. While the lake's history is deep, its sporting legacy is equally established, notably as the venue for the inaugural 1893 European Rowing Championships. For those seeking additional challenges in the region, the Grand Prix CusioCup 2026 provides a complementary experience in nearby Pettenasco just weeks before this event. The archaeological richness of the surrounding landscape, including the ancient ritual sites on Monte Zuoli, serves as a quiet backdrop to the day's events. The water remains a central element of the Omegna experience, defined by its unique flow and the history of those who have crossed it.