The 2026 Italian Open Water Tour kicks off in the province of Varese on June 14 with the third stage of the circuit in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Monate, one of the cleanest glacial lakes in Italy.
Surrounded by the lush greenery of the Pre-Alps and overlooking Monte Rosa, the route stands out for the presence of a UNESCO pile-dwelling site, making open-water swimming a unique immersion in both nature and history. This stage opens the second edition of the “Lake Challenge,” featuring the traditional HARD SWIM, SMILE SWIM, and RELAY events that will accompany athletes throughout the season.

On July 4, the circuit moves to Leggiuno for the scenic “Eremo Crossing”, where the setting of the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso dominates the landscape, turning the race into a meeting of sport, art, and nature.

The tour continues on August 2 in Maccagno, in the clearest stretch of Lake Maggiore, with a course that embraces the Cannero Castles in one of the most iconic open-water settings in Italy.

The 2026 Lake Challenge will also include Peschiera del Garda and Lake Caldonazzo, completing a calendar that brings together five emblematic destinations for open-water swimming. Overall rankings across the different distances will accompany athletes throughout the season, leading up to the final awards ceremony, which in recent years has celebrated the circuit’s top performers in prestigious cultural venues across Italy.