The Traversata offers two races: a 1.5 km swim that starts at the beach of the Golfo de Reno-Liggiuno and a 4 km crossing of the Lago Maggiore from Villa Pallavicino to the Golfo Reno-Liggiuno.
Lago Maggiore is one of the largest lakes in Italy and is located north between the mountains of Piemont and the Swiss Alps.
The Traversata attracts swimmers from all over, including Brazilian Francismar Siviero. “It is gratifying to be part of such a swim which summarizes perfectly the spirit of healthy marathons, with a trip to the past history of where my ancestors came from. Make a crossing at this location and breathe the atmosphere of the lake is to travel in time, a preserved site, where nature, art and history come together.”
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.