The Ultimate Swim Across Lake Lugano
The Stella swim traverses the length of Lake Lugano from Porlezza in Italy to Agno in Switzerland. At approximately 30km this swim is a similar distance to the English Channel, along the length of this glacial lake, fed by the fresh water from the surrounding mountains and flowing out to the river Tresa. This swim is a serious fresh water challenge and beautiful holiday destination all rolled into one!
Stella Swim Route Across Lake Lugano
Click the image below to enlarge.
How to attempt a swim across Lake Lugano.
Those swimmers who wish to swim across Lake Lugano may complete several steps with the LLSA before they dive in swimming. It is important to be honest about your own abilities and to be aware of the time, effort and training necessary to make an attempt. Please make sure to read all the information here thoroughly before proceeding with your booking. A few key points to remember
Any questions concerning your Stella swim should be directed toward the LLSA Secretary here.
Remember to confirm when and where to meet your escort boat. Typically swims begin early in the morning and are completed in the afternoon of the following day.
Become familiar with what the LLSA requires of swimmers and please read the LLSA rules and note the application deadlines.
Once you believe you are ready to make an attempt you should -
1) Choose the date you wish to attempt your swim. Make sure to book your preferred dates as early as possible (usually a year in advance and no later than the 31st of March in the year of your swim), to ensure you secure the dates you want.
2) Confirm the reservation. Often it is necessary to agree on the terms and conditions and pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your dates.
3) Complete your paperwork. Upon reservation you will be able to download the LLSA Medical and Self-Assessment Swim forms, which must both be completed after the 1st of January in the year of your swim. Please note the LLSA cannot accept any other medical forms except our own (e.g. CSA or CS&PF) although most doctors are happy to sign off more than one form for different swims during one visit.
4) Deadlines
Deposit: upon booking (usually a year in advance and no later than the 31st of March in the year of your swim).
LLSA Medical and Self-Assessment Swim forms: after the 1st of January in the year of your swim and at least two weeks before the start of your swim window.
If you cannot meet these deadlines, then you must make contact with the office well in advance of the above dates to see if your registration can be extended. Any additional paperwork, such as a change of team members and paperwork corrections etc, may attract an additional admin fee and there is no guarantee that this paperwork can be completed on time. Your LLSA registration could be cancelled if it is not completed by the 31st of March so make sure you are not late!
5) All Stella swim attempts (or similar) require a ratified Self-Assessment Swim as detailed below.
For a solo attempt: Two swims over two consecutive days, the first swim lasting ?? hours (e.g. on Saturday) and the second swim lasting ?? hours (e.g. on Sunday) and in water ??°C/??°F or less (or proof of completion in a recognised event for a period considered by the LLSA to be an acceptable alternative), without exiting the water, wearing no clothing or aids to enhance heat-retention, buoyancy or speed and conducted at any time up to 18 months before the start of the swim window which you have booked.
For a relay attempt: ?? swims of ?? hours each completed on the same day in water ??°C/??°F or less (or proof of completion in a recognised event for a period considered by the LLSA to be an acceptable alternative), without exiting the water, wearing no clothing or aids to enhance heat-retention, buoyancy or speed and conducted at any time up to 18 months before the start of the swim window which you have booked. The relay team leader is responsible for uploading all of their team’s self-assessment forms in a timely manner once they have been completed.
These swims are short compared to your Lake Lugano swim attempt and should not be treated as training swims. Your training should include regular swims of longer durations in water temperatures of 18°C/64°F or less. Remember - train hard, fight easy.
6) The LLSA registers the season’s swims with the French and Swiss authorities by April. Applications and bookings made after the specified deadlines can be processed by the LLSA, but only by arrangement and it is not guaranteed that they will be completed in time for your swim. If you are planning to make a late registration make sure to speak with the LLSA Secretary before booking your swim with a pilot.
So you want to attempt the LLSA Stella swim? Click here for a detailed guide to start the journey and embark on your dream swim.
Training to swim across Lake Lugano
Whilst training for a Lake Lugano attempt swimmers should think carefully about how they plan to overcome the many physical and mental challenges they are likely to face along the way. The main difficulties are of course the distance, cold temperatures, nausea, night swimming and the water conditions.
Distance: The distance between Porlezza in Italy and Agno in Switzerland is approximately 30km along the shortest route, that’s about the same distance to swim the English Channel! Swimmers must be prepared to swim this kind of distance in open water, and probably more due to water movement.
Cold temperatures: The temperatures in Lake Lugano can fluctuate greatly throughout the course of a day, colder in the morning and heating up in the afternoon sun. At night temperatures can drop as much as ??°C. Hypothermia is a serious issue and, along with fatigue, a common reason why swimmers do not make it all the way across. Swimmers should therefore become acclimatised to swimming in cold water for extended periods of time. Safety always comes first during a swim, even if it means not reaching the final goal.
Nausea: Seasickness can be a serious problem for some swimmers and their crew and must be avoided by taking the necessary precautions. This may vary from person to person, therefore it is a good idea to seek advice from other swimmers who may have experienced the same symptoms.
Night swimming: Swimmers must be prepared in case they have to swim during the night. This usually means near-complete darkness with impaired vision and a compromised depth of perception, which can lead to disorientation, vertigo and sometimes nausea. Successful swimmers will usually have experience of swimming at night, navigating with glow sticks.
Water conditions: It goes without saying Lake Lugano is a very large body of water and subject to unpredictable, sometimes very localised weather patterns. The lake may be influenced by very slight surface currents during your swim however it is difficult to predict when or where these may appear so swimmers should not rely on any current assistance.
To prepare for the various challenges presented by Lake Lugano every swimmer will have their own training programme based on their experience, tips from coaches and other swimmers and the facilities they have available. Nevertheless all Lake Lugano ‘aspirants’ should consider the following:
First and foremost to train safe, particularly in lakes or the sea. Swimmers should make sure to be aware of and properly assess the risks involved including any currents or tides. Also to ensure someone responsible is aware of their plans and not to swim alone.
Water temperatures in Lake Lugano vary between ??°C and ??°C during the summer months between June and September. Temperatures may vary however depending on preceding weather conditions, and can quickly rise or fall if there’s been a dramatic cold or hot spell. Swimmers should try to train in temperatures around ??°C. There is no need to train in water that is too cold, and water that is too hot may leave some unprepared if the water is colder during their actual swim.
It is a good idea to train in order to be able to breathe bi-laterally. This will mean that swimmers can breathe on either side of the escort boat using the shelter of the hull if the wind gets up or avoiding the exhaust fumes if the wind is in the wrong direction.
The normal body temperature is 37°C (98.6°F). Hypothermia develops when the body temperature falls below about 35°C (95°F). Moderate hypothermia can usually be reversed, and a complete recovery made if it is recognised and treated quickly. However, if the body temperature falls below 24°C (75°F), recovery is unlikely. The symptoms and signs of the onset of hypothermia are difficult to recognise to the inexperienced eye, but include shivering, disorientation, irrational behaviour, blueness of the lips, inability to concentrate or co-ordinate speech, and inability to respond to simple requests or questions.
Swimmers should think thoroughly about their feeding plan and how to coordinate with their team. They should keep feeding times as short as possible (less than a minute). The quicker their feeds the less time spent treading water and the more time spent actually swimming. The feeding pattern should be determined well in advance, for example every hour at the beginning of the swim, then every 30 minutes for the remainder of the swim. Swimmers should consider trying different types of feed (and quantities!) during their training so that they know what suits them and what doesn’t. Most likely swimmers will end up consuming large quantities of their feed. Too much at a time may lead to an upset stomach.
Swimmers should ask their coach, or someone with a professional eye, to analyse their stroke to ensure it is technically correct for swimming in open water. The importance of outdoor training cannot be emphasised enough, so aspirants should do as many of their long swims as possible in open water. It is important to remember that the body reacts and performs differently in colder water, and top pool swimmers may be surprised by how difficult it is to transition to open water. Obtaining an efficient stroke will help swimmers get the most from every arm pull, and offer them a better chance of success.
Having an accurate idea of speed will help swimmers to estimate how long it will take to complete their swim. This is important in order to prepare mentally. Many failures are the result of not having the right mental attitude, both throughout training and during the swim itself. Willpower is needed to push through the pain barriers that never go away. The importance of mental fortitude is emphasised by the common piece of advice - “never put your body where your mind hasn’t already been.“
Stella FAQ
When is the best time to swim Lake Lugano?
Typically the swim season in Lake Lugano runs from late ?? to early ?? however it is impossible to specify the best day for a swim attempt due to the unpredictability of the weather and conditions on the lake, including water temperature, which can range anywhere between ??ºC and ??ºC. Note however that these temperatures are more susceptible to abrupt changes than in a larger body of water such as the sea. Earlier on in the season the lake is still warming up however you can expect longer days, whilst towards the end of the season the daylight hours are shorter and the water temperature can vary depending on the recent conditions.
Are there requirements to attempt a Lake Lugano swim?
Yes. For a solo attempt the LLSA requires that you have a certified self-assessment swim consisting of a ?? hour swim, followed by a ?? hour swim the following day, in water that is ??ºC/??ºF or colder. For relay attempts the self-assessment swim consists of a two hour continuous swim in water that is ??ºC/??ºF or colder. The self-assessment swim should not be treated as your sole preparation for your swim, but rather it is to give you a good idea of what you are preparing for, and to make you aware of the dangers. Do not practice swimming alone.
Where do I train and how do I acclimatise to the cold water?
Swimmers generally build up their resistance for endurance swimming in swimming pools over the winter, whilst completing regular outdoor swims in order to remain acclimatised to the cold water. The open water training season generally begins in May and continues all throughout the swim season. You can ask swimmers in your local area about open water swimming clubs and ways to train with other swimmers. It is not recommended to swim alone.
If you are planning to swim Lake Lugano you will need to do swims much longer than your self-assessment swim. Swims can easily take an entire day to complete. The more cold water swimming you do the more likely your body is going to adapt to the conditions.
Remember that swimming in fresh water is not the same as salt water and you should be aware of these differences before you begin your training.
How do I find other aspiring Lake Geneva swimmers?
It is a good idea to speak to other aspiring swimmers and you can look in your area open water swimmers. Try to gather local knowledge and searching online for open water swimming clubs or Facebook/other groups on social media.
What should I eat and drink?
A swimmer’s nutrition plan is specific to each individual. You will need to refuel throughout your swim attempt therefore you should experiment with different liquids and solids to see what works for you. Never try something new on the day.
Do you provide support crew?
Support crew is your responsibility and and it is important to have a crew that you can rely on and that knows your swimming habits. It is a long swim and your crew should be prepared for little sleep and fluctuating temperatures. The term ‘support crew’ should not be confused with, and does not refer to the skippers, lifeguard(s) and observer(s) who will be onboard your escort boat. These are essential to your swim therefore make sure you check with the LLSA how many crew you plan on bringing.
Each vessel is equipped with the necessary facilities to accompany this kind of swim, nevertheless it is advisable to double check with your skippers regarding the toilet and other arrangements as each boat may vary.
How early can I register for my swim?
You may register as early as you like. Most swimmers book long in advance try and secure their preferred dates.
Is the water clean? What’s the water temperature?
The water quality has been described as ‘??’ and there are many public swimming zones along the shores of the lake. The water temperature can range anywhere between ??ºC and ??ºC, however please note that these temperatures are not guaranteed, being more susceptible to abrupt changes than in a larger body of water such as the sea, and will depend entirely on the weather conditions in the weeks and days leading up to the event.
Are there any currents?
As with all large bodies of water movement is inevitable. Previous swimmers have given mixed reports of various currents on the lake, and these will depend largely on the conditions just before and during your swim attempt. Nevertheless you should train appropriately for your swim and not rely on any current to carry you to Agno.
Where should I stay?
Where swimmers stay is down to preference, with many choosing to stay in Lugano. For general information on the area visit our Travel and accommodation page under Resources.
Where do I meet my escort boat?
This should be specified and agreed beforehand with your skipper. Typically swimmers meet the support boat the morning of their scheduled departure at the dock in Lugano. You then sail to Porlezza from where swims normally start. As mentioned above no one can predict accurately the weather conditions more than a few days in advance of your swim window. Occasionally accurate forecasts can only be made a day or two beforehand, and even these may be subject to change.
Do people not make it?
Whilst we hope success to everyone, swimmers may not complete their swim attempt for a variety of reasons. Do not be disheartened, however, as certain swimmers do make it. In the words of Winston Churchill - “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”
LLSA Forms
SAMPLE Medical Form (Do not use)
SAMPLE Self-Assessment Swim Form (Do not use)