Mergozzo Waterproof 2026

The Mergozzo Waterproof #1 takes place on September 20, 2026, featuring a 2000-meter course in the waters of Lake Mergozzo. Swimmers gather for a mass start at 10:00 AM, entering the water to navigate a basin that remains one of the cleanest in Italy. The lake is connected to the larger Lake Maggiore by a 2.7 km canal; typically, the water flows toward the Maggiore due to a one-meter difference in elevation, but flood events in the latter can trigger a temporary flow reversal, a phenomenon that occasionally influences the subtle currents encountered by athletes during the swim.

Historical and natural landmarks

As participants move through the water, they pass terrain marked by layers of human and geological history. The shoreline is overlooked by the 12th-century Church of San Giovanni Battista on Montorfano, a site that preserves foundations from Paleochristian, Carolingian, and Romanesque periods. Near the Groppole area, the submerged or coastal landscape is associated with the Ca' d'la Norma megalith, a serizzo boulder bearing ancient cup marks from the late Neolithic. The surrounding atmosphere is shaped by the 'Mergozzo', a warm wind from the Toce Valley that typically descends at night, often leaving the morning water surface calm for the start of the race. The ecological health of the area is underscored by the nearby ZPS protected zone, which hosts nesting pairs of peregrine falcons and great cormorants.

Race logistics and local context

Participation in this 2000-meter event includes a standard race pack for all entrants. While this race offers a specific distance, swimmers seeking varied challenges in the region can look to the historic crossing of the lake held earlier in July or the 8th edition of the Timber Trail swim in Omegna. The race organizers, Nobile dei Laghi, manage the event with a focus on the specific hydrology of this alpine basin. Beyond the race course, the region is defined by the jagged peaks of the Corni di Nibbio, which mark the boundary with Val Grande National Park, and the proximity of the Candoglia quarries, where the pink marble used for the Milan Cathedral has been sourced since the 14th century.