SICILY
Why Sicily?
It’s a little-known fact that Sicily is home to one of the best spots for kitesurfing in Europe… With a huge, shallow, flat-water lagoon, Lo Stagnone is situated at the westernmost part of the island, on an unspoilt nature reserve – perfect for learning and enjoying kiteboarding. Winds are steady throughout the year and temperatures are generally pretty balmy. The water temperature, due to the shallowness and sheltered nature of the lagoon, can be positively hot. Beginners benefit from unchallenged conditions – the lagoon has a soft, sandy bottom, and there’s a large meadow for lessons. Advanced kiters are no longer limited by safety area boundaries, and are free to explore the lagoon to its furthest edges – taking in the expanse of salt pans dotted with red-tiled windmills and little islands. Expert freestyle riders will have a blast on the many various flat water spots created by the islands and by the salina walls that surround the salt-pans.
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The Set-Up:
The hotel complex of the Alby Rondina ProKite kite school is located right on the beach, only 10 minutes away from the nearest airport at Trapani-Birgi. At the beach there’s a compressor and large area for set up, launching and landing kites. Beginners’ lessons take place on a wide, grassy area, and in the water close to the beach, which is safe and supervised. Advanced riders are asked to keep their distance from the students and cruise the lagoon, where there are literally thousands of hectares of space to find your perfect spot. Right on the waterfront are some newly built apartments for kitesurfers, and lining the roads nearby are many B&Bs and cottages whose terraces fill up in the evenings with locals and visitors alike, playing guitar, socializing and hanging out. Stagnone is open to the sea at two points: in the north at San Teodoro, and in the south, close to the city of Marsala. The shallow waters are easily warmed by the sun. Lo Stagnone is located halfway between the cities of Marsala and Trapani.
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