SUP'ing on Lago di Como, Italy

Recently returned from a 9 week round the world kite surfing trip, hitting up Sardinia, Essaouira (Morocco), Northern California & Aceh in Indonesia.

However, despite the trip being kite focussed, one of the absolute highlights turned out to be a SUP session my partner & I managed to score whilst staying in Como, Italy.

Lago di Como is a huge fresh water lake in northern Italy, approximately 150km sq, and seriously deep water...that water is also seriously cold even in summer. The lake is about 4.5 - 5km wide in parts, with towns & villages up & down each side of the lake.

Despite overcast weather when we first arrived, we both immediately recognised the potential Lago di Como has as a flat water location. Discussing that potential over a couple of days resulted in the ubiquitous search: Google + SUP + Lago di Como = an hour of fun on the water.

We found the only SUP hire/school located at Bellagio (also known as the former home of some guy Clooney??) and made some very hasty arrangements with the owner for the May Day public holiday.

Getting to Bellagio itself is a bit of an effort - either take the ferry or drive up to Bellagio. We took the very scenic ferry from Como to Bellagio & then walked for approx 20 minutes to find Bellagio Water Sports, located in Pescallo Bay.

We hired a couple of boards from the owner, Michele (Mick), unfortunately only for an hour (didn't want to miss the last ferry back to Como) but it was an absolutely magnificent hour. Mick was thoroughly professional in ensuring we knew how to SUP before we took to the water, but showed us the ropes on the 10'6 & 11'4 BicSup boards anyway. Mick is a former Italian national rower & also hires kayaks as part of Bellagio Water Sports & has only this year taken on SUP as part of his business - we were his second SUP'ers in fact.

We only had an hour on the water, but managed to go paddling past amazing cliffs, houses & small 18th century castles and assorted 'older' buildings.

Whilst it was a tad overcast when we were on the water, it was an experience we are both very keen to repeat in the future - and for much more than an hour.

If any Aussie SUP'ers manage to make it to the area, I'd have to say that SUP'ing here will be an experience you'll never forget. Check out www.bellagiowatersports.com for more info if you're heading that way.

A beautiful part of the world and no I didn't see George either .

I was there last month my misses kept looking about for George nope we didnt see him either... looks like you made the most of the water though