I was wondering if anyone has been to Italy to surf. I will be there in september and got a couple of questions. I was hoping someone could tell me what surfspots are fun or what beaches are fun to hang out at. Also I was wondering what the water temp is and where I can rent a board.
Thanks
Matt
The new issue of TSJ has an article about Italy, by Derek Hynd.
Do not rely on ANY info on wannasurf. They allow submissions without any fact checking, and most of what I’ve seen there is pretty inaccurate. For instance, one of my local spots is listed as a left, it is actually a right. They even have a photo that illustrates this fact, but still call it a left. Wannasurf is one of the lamest surf websites I have ever seen.
I have seen photos of really good surf in Italy. It is inconsistent and usually small. Easily better than the US Great lakes, but not as consistent as the US EC.
I lived there from 82-86. I was in the military over on the Adriatic side. It is like the great lakes.
I used to go over by Leghorn (Livorno) and North along the coast. I checked the wannasurf site and the pins on their map seem pretty accurate to me. Understand that they consider outside sources…they all do and the Italians seem to consider all things surf related to be surfing. Kite, SUP, etc.
If you look at the surf spots map you will see a cluster along the western coast that kinda resembles the gulf coast of Florida. Thats where the best surf spots in the country are (Italy Mainland Proper), Sicily and Sardinia are a different thing altogether . Been a long time ago…got some weird looks back then for sure. Never went south of there but I have heard there is some surf as far south as Naples.
Maybe some Italian Swaylockian lurking out there can give you more current info. But all the generic forecast sites show the breaks in this area and they have everything. Points, reefs, beach breaks. I know because I was there.
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I’ve lived in Italy for many years but never surfed there. My wife is from the Venice area. Once we were at the beach (Lignano) and finally one day the wind came up (the “Bora”) and there was some little wind swell (like waist high). I was all amped to body surf and as I was entering the water a lifegurad runs down to me and tells me I cannot enter the water. When I asked why he said, “Red Flags!” I was like, “Red Flags.” He responded, “High surf.” I looked at the waves. It was so small I would’ve given it a pass back home. I tried to explain I was from California but he wouldn’t have it and wouldn’t let me in the water.
I don’t think the September is good surf season. I think their best waves come in the winter. As said above, the known surf areas are the Ligurian coast (the Riviera). Watch for lows moving in from the west across the Med. Also Sardegna. But really, if I were you, I’d go there and visit museums, churches and world class restaurants, things you won’t find at home.
Unless you come across a day like this- Capo mannu surf 2010 - YouTube
ps as I watched this video I kept thinking, “Cut back! Cut Back!”
I’ve lived in Italy for many years but never surfed there. My wife is from the Venice area. Once we were at the beach (Lignano) and finally one day the wind came up (the “Bora”) and there was some little wind swell (like waist high). I was all amped to body surf and as I was entering the water a lifegurad runs down to me and tells me I cannot enter the water. When I asked why he said, “Red Flags!” I was like, “Red Flags.” He responded, “High surf.” I looked at the waves. It was so small I would’ve given it a pass back home. I tried to explain I was from California but he wouldn’t have it and wouldn’t let me in the water.
I don’t think the September is the best surf season. I think their best waves come in the winter. As said above, the known surf areas are the Ligurian coast (the Riviera). Watch for lows moving in from the west across the Med. Also Sardegna. But really, if I were you, I’d go there and visit museums, churches and world class restaurants, things you won’t find at home.
Unless you come across a day like this- Capo mannu surf 2010 - YouTube
ps as I watched this video I kept thinking, “Cut back! Cut Back!”
Hey llilibel, Been to Lignano many times. Bibioni, and Latisana. Loved it down there. We used to rent a pensione down there for like $30 for the weekend! Loved my time in Italy. I used to ride over to the west coast to help guys get their hold baggage and cars from the port. Guys from Cali, NJ, VA Beach, Fla etc...we would get amped when there were waves and body surf. Italians thought we were nuts. But I have to say they were really getting into the whole windsurf thing pretty serious. Looked like they had some real talent too. My kids were born in Vicenza. I will always feel connected to that place.
Ciao!
I was up north (La Spezia, Vernazza, Levanto) in early October several years back. The water was probably in the mid-70s, coming from Seattle, it felt pretty darn warm. Didn't see any surfers at the the time, (I'm sure they go in these days) but the Italian locals back then weren't going in the water, and thought I was crazy to go swimming. At the end of August, by tradition (see books by Tim Parks), they say that the water from September 1 on is "too cold". September ought to be nice: spring-suit/shorty tempo.
There were some pretty decent waves in Levanto, it's a nice little town on a harbor, just up from the Cinqua Terra. A few years later, I saw some nice peelers at Pisciotta and Poliniro south of Naples in the Salerno area. Wished I would have had a board. My wife and I stayed in Fiumicino (just West of Roma) waiting to catch a flight, and it looked ridable (longboard) just outside of our little seaside hotel.
Smallish, short period wind swell was the rule whenever we saw waves, but sometimes it looked pretty clean. The coast in Italy is also just one of the nicest anywhere. Take a mat and fins, and you've got it covered no matter where you go. It's a great country, amazing stuff everywhere: history, art, espresso, gelato, pesto from Levanto, Napoli style pizza down south. Even if there isn't any surf while you're there, it will be great.
Aviano? My wife is from Treviso. Actually a little north, at the foot of the Alps. Montello. They habe a beach apartment in Lignano. While there is no surf there the beach atmosphere is very chill…and as in all of Italy, the food is great.
NMow, I had to write this little piece of info even though it has nothing to do with surfing. The now famous dessert- tiramisu- I was told was a invention of a brothel owner in Treviso. Tiramisu literally means “pick me up.” The brothel owner invented the dessert to give customers a “second wind.” ie, repeat customers. I chuckle when people order tiramisu at restaurants here, or when waiters suggest it.
That was cool
followed by i believe a whole week of flat sea
thanks for the link
Aviano? My wife is from Treviso. Actually a little north, at the foot of the Alps. Montello. They habe a beach apartment in Lignano. While there is no surf there the beach atmosphere is very chill…and as in all of Italy, the food is great.
NMow, I had to write this little piece of info even though it has nothing to do with surfing. The now famous dessert- tiramisu- I was told was a invention of a brothel owner in Treviso. Tiramisu literally means “pick me up.” The brothel owner invented the dessert to give customers a “second wind.” ie, repeat customers. I chuckle when people order tiramisu at restaurants here, or when waiters suggest it.
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Yep, Aviano was my permanent duty station. I got to travel quite a bit all through southern europe. Both in my free time and on the command staff assistance team. Treviso is a beautiful town and area. I would pile my wife and kids into the car and just drive out into the contryside alot…often times we would find our way to Treviso for lunch or dinner on our way back If we were going west or south. Hah! just made me look at a map… I don’t think there was a single city or town in that whole part the country that we didn’t spend time in on those “day” trips. It was just so cool because the Italian people were just so incredible to us…and of course you know how much they love kids! Great memories! Because we were both from Fla we were thrilled at how easy and inexpensive it was for us to spend time at the beach…and yes the atomshpere was so relaxed. Spent a lot of quality time in that coccoa colored sand. Do you remember the guys that would walk around selling fruit and coconuts on the beach!
Hi Truck, I’m Italian and I live n Italy.You are coming in one of the best periods for surf in Italy, but always remember that we don’t have waves everyday.Best spots are all on the west coast from north to south.You can even catch a few big waves if you’re lucky enough:It really depends on where are you staying.If you want more details feel free to email me ercoleq@yahoo.it