Nuota tra le Cantine

On the morning of June 20th, the shores of the Baia di Piona awaken with a distinct, rhythmic energy. Sport 64 transforms this quiet stretch of Lake Como into a hub for swimmers who return year after year, drawn by the unique blend of alpine scenery and the technical challenge of these waters. As the sun begins to climb over the towering peaks, the atmosphere is defined by a shared anticipation that feels more like a local tradition than a mere competition. For those seeking to test their endurance later in the summer, the Seven Swim Race takes place just down the coast in August, offering a different pacing across these same waters.

A landscape carved by history

Swimming here means moving through layers of local lore. As you sight the buoys, your gaze inevitably drifts toward the massive Monte Legnone, which dominates the skyline at 2,609 meters. The shoreline is punctuated by the four Montecchi hills, silent witnesses to the strategic importance this area held for centuries. History here is tangible; in 1635, the Curcio tower, which you can see from the water, was reduced to rubble by a soldier named Vandi who infiltrated its base to ignite a fire. Further along the coast, the ruins of Fort Fuentes serve as a reminder of the Spanish military influence that once governed these strategic access routes. Even the geography carries ancient marks, such as the 'Comballo' stone near the Garavina gorge, etched with prehistoric cup-shaped carvings that predate the medieval defensive systems.

In the wake of legends

This water has hosted more than just athletes. Local tradition recounts the journey of Saint Fedele, who, having escaped a prison in Milan during the 3rd century AD, reportedly reached these shores by boat before continuing his trek toward Samolaco. His path reminds swimmers that they are traveling through a landscape shaped by both faith and conflict. The area’s history is famously dark as well; in 1629, the arrival of the Lanzichenecchi troops through Colico brought a plague so severe that Alessandro Manzoni immortalized the town's suffering in his literary work, 'The Betrothed'. Today, the only challenge you face is the water itself. The 5 km race follows strict FIN Open Water regulations, while shorter distances adhere to CSEN standards. Whether you are tackling the full 5 km or the shorter triangular laps, you are navigating an inlet protected by the Olgiasca peninsula, a site of monastic devotion since the 7th century where the monks still produce their traditional 'Gocce Imperiali' elixirs.