History

The first windsurfers came to Lake Caldaro already in the 70s. One of them was Klaus Maran, a windsurfing legend.

The first surfboard on the waters of Italy glided over Lake Caldaro, that’s a matter of fact. In 1973 the brothers Erich and Harald Renner brought this water sports to Caldaro and made history. In 1974, together with other windsurf enthusiasts, they founded the Caldaro Surfclub, Erich Renner was constituted president. It was also him to be the first windsurf champion: in 1975, 1976 and 1978 he won the Italian Championships.

In 1977 the Surfclub was affiliated to the sports association of Caldaro and a large number of girls and boys soon became enthusiastic windsurfers. In the following years the windsurfer Klaus Maran achieved his greatest successes. In 1979, 1980 and 1981 he became world champion, in addition he won 6 European championships and 12 Italian championships in various classes. In 1981 Maran took over the presidential office of his predecessor. In the 70s and 80s windsurfing kept booming in this area.

After the Olympic games of 1985, Klaus Maran ended his active career and also the windsurfing activities at the lake slightly diminished. Karl Anderlan became president of the association, but he was not able to achieve equal successes as Maran did. He became third in the world championships of 1987 in South Africa and fifth place at the World Championships of Australia.
In 1992 a clubhouse was opened at Caldaro, which soon became the centre of windsurfing. Still today from the club house regattas and other events are being organised.

Due to successful youth work more and more young talents have been discovered and promoted. Between 2001 and 2002 Manfred Maier became double Italian Champion in the U20 Ministral Class (Elba and Cervia). In 2002 the Italian Champion of the U15 Aloha Class was Fabian Heidegger. Moreover he became second in the Austrian Championships (U17 Ministral Class) and fourth in the European Championships in the U15 Ministral Class. In 2003 Heidegger becomes Italian Champion in the U17 Ministral Class and in the following year he achieved his so far biggest success, World Champion in the U17 Ministral Class.