Sailing School of Lake Maggiore

Based at Cerro di Laveno, along the eastern coast of Lake Maggiore, Centro Vela is a highly professional leading sailing school in the North Italian Lakes Region and is fully recognised by the Italian Sailing Federation (F.I.V.). Since its inception 1997, over 3200 adults and children have discovered the love for sailing and nature. Our goal is to add passion to learning and thus motivate our students for a deeper understanding of the sport. We have taught the skills for mastering the art and pleasure of sailing.

Location

Centro Vela is easily accessible. It is located in an ancient fisherman house on the shore, directly facing the Borromeo Islands and the Mont Rose’s massif.

Fleet

Centro Vela’s fleet consists of 15 small boats (Optimists, RS Tera* and RS Feva), 7 cabin cruisers (two J80, m 8.50 long, two Sprinto, m. 6.70 long, three Sun 2000 , m 6.50 long) as well as several support crafts.
* R.Y.A. official boat for young people.

Sailing Courses

Centro Vela organises a comprehensive range of theoretical and practical shore based courses as well as tailor’s made courses and programs based on particular clients’ needs and experience.

Collective sailing courses on a regular basis:

• Beginners level, intermediate level, spinnaker, advanced level, race strategy and tactic, small boat sailing for adults. These courses have different time length and are organised on the week-ends.
• One week full-time courses for children (up to 6 years old) on small boats or cabin cruisers, depending on age, sailing level and physical ability of the child.
• Ladies only courses: aimed at ladies of all ages , this course is offered on week days for arranged groups.

Individual personalised lessons or courses are offered upon request for single persons or special groups as well as introductory sailing week-end for beginners.

Team building and Corporate Meetings (Incentive)

Sailing is a perfect sport for Corporate Team Building Activities. Sailing’s strong emotional impact strengths the team cohesion, increases group co-operation and the individuals’ ability to coordinate the individual work with the team targets. Using sailing as an intense learning environment, we work with team and individuals to promote their capacity and to build a high level independence and interdependence.
Corporate Meetings: Special corporate offers are available ranging from races (fleet-race or match-race) to cruises on the lake including visit to Borromeo Islands and “aperitif” refreshment in front of the ancient St. Catharine Monastery at sunset.

Nautical License

Courses to attend nautical off shore licence both sailing and powerboat: the course consists of a theoretical part (8 lessons + 2 repetitions) and 1 practice to learn manovering in the harbour. Final exams will be given at the Harbour Office (Capitaneria di Porto) in Genoa.

Boats rental

Small boats and cabin cruisers are available for rent with or without skipper for half a day, full day, or several days. Good sailing experience is required for renting without a skipper. Licence not required.
Charter cruisers are available for half a day or fully day lake tours.

Accomodation

In the same building in which Centro Vela is located we have a “Foresteria”, a guest flat consisting of two bedrooms with 3 bunk-beds each, 1 bathroom and a small breakfast kitchen.
A good variety of nice hotels are located in the area immediate neighbourhood as well as camping grounds.