“Share good times”
Wassersport center Gardasurf & Sail
The Water Sports Center Garda-Surf & Sail was founded in the beginning of the 80s, by Martina Loch and since then it offers to sailors, wind- and kite-surfers, stand-up paddlers of all ages a sporty environment where one feels at home. Every summer many families spend their vacations with us and often visit again the following years. Children as well as adults become water sports enthusiasts after spending their time with us, we pride ourselves on our safety standards, the direct proximity of our station to the water and the individual attention. In 2017, the partnership with the kite surf school Kite-Guru became a marriage. Both stations unite since then under one roof: Garda-Surf and Kite-Guru.
We want you to feel comfortable with us and to have fun while practicing your sport. Our staff will guide you to your goals with the passion with which we ourselves kitesurf, windsurf, sail and stand-up paddle.
We offer an adept infrastructure for different interests and can include convenient accommodation with the hotel Santa Maria, our neighbor. From there you can simply go from “bed to boat or board”. The short distances and the beach location of the hotel bar on site, will improve your overall experience.
You can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere before or after your courses, allowing you to unwind and enjoy the beautiful view of the Lake.
Families and friends who don’t wish to take part in a course can always rent out our material for some exiting holiday fun.
“From pioneer to kite guru”
The Kite Guru Story
René and Felix first met in year 2005 on Lake Garda and 2 years later they decided to open a kite school there calling it Kite-Guru. In the space of a few years the community of kite surfers grew quickly, and the school became a permanent structure on Lake Garda. As a VDS and VDWS kite school, quality was a priority, therefore the instructors were trained in boat instruction by the school. Today, Kite Guru is one of the most experienced kite schools with an excellent reputation in taking good care of their kite guests.
At the end of the 2016 season, Rene and Felix handed the school over to Niko Bitter, Kite-Guru partner with the water sports center Garda-Surf & Sail. This partnership allowed for professional development not only in kite surfing field but also for other watersports. The school now also offers a wide range of activities such as windsurfing, SUP, sailing, and foiling. Since 2020 the kite school is integrated in the water sports center Garda-Surf & Kite-Guru structure right on the beach of Lake Garda and is therefore very convenient as one can quickly access the water.
The Team
Niko Bitter
Julie
Owner
Simon
Nicolo
Dennis
Sailing-surfing- Kite instructor
Vinzent
Surf instructor and Wing Instructor in education
Saskia
Kite Instructor in Training
Niko Bitter
Niko is an enthusiastic water sportsman and is the owner of the water sports center Garda-Surf & Kite-Guru. He runs the water sports center with a passion for sailing, windsurfing, kiting, foiling and stand-up paddling, His motto is: “Water sport makes YOU and ME happy”.
“I have been windsurfing and sailing since I was young. In 2007, an acquaintance offered my wife Anne and I the opportunity to take over the water sports station on Lake Garda. An opportunity we did not turn down. And a decision I am happy with to this day.”
Niko is a water sports instructor VDWS for sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing and stand-up paddling. Foiling as a windsurfer, sailor and kiting followed a few years ago.
Julie
Julie has been managing the water sports center together with Niko since 2016. She takes care of our guests and ensures a fun experience for everyone. As a kite surfer, she has been on the water for many years, usually on our trips to Brazil, which she organizes.
As a marketing professional, she also works behind the scenes and sets the goals for each season.
Simon
Simon is a water sports instructor and junior chef at Garda-Surf & Kite-Guru. At the moment, he is completing his education as a sailing instructor for sport boat licenses. He, however, still makes time and is a part of our team each year. Having grown up as a sailor on Lake Garda, he brings his skills and experience to the lessons. He is a very popular instructor.
Simon has been windsurfing for years however his main focus is sailing. In 2017, Simon qualified to e a kite instructor as well thanks to his excellent water and wind knowledge and is available as an instructor to both the Kite Guru Station and the Garda Surf.
Nicolo
Nicolo grew up on Lake Garda and is a thoroughly experienced sailing and windsurfing instructor. He plays an important role in our team and is currently training with us to become a VDWS kitesurfing instructor. Nicolo spends his winters in the Italian Alps as a snowboard instructor. He has been working successfully as a photographer, as you can see by our fantastic photos.
Dennis
Dennis grew up sailing in Brenzone. He is often out on Lake Garda with his own Laser, has been a permanent crew member of an extraordinarily successful Asso 99 team for several years and since 2018 has returned to windsurfing with us, something he had learned as a child. Dennis teaches sailing and windsurfing.
Since 2020, the “kite virus” has also infected him, and he is working intensively on his personal level.