Water Skiing in Ventalló, Girona

Context Water skiing in Ventalló happens on a private freshwater lake in the heart of the Alt Empordà. The water arrives naturally filtered from the surrounding wetlands, and that stillness is exactly what makes the place a reference for water skiing. Behind it is Xavi Mill's school, open since 1994: over thirty Spanish titles, seven world championships and a decade coaching the national team. The lake has homologated slalom and trick courses, a competition jump ramp, and Malibu boats approved by the International Waterski Federation.

The experience You ski by runs. Each run is fifteen minutes on the water — enough for four to six slalom passes — with an instructor and all the gear included. You start from the pontoon, the boat pulls, and the instructor corrects you from the boat, whether it is the first time you put on skis or you have come to sharpen your technique. Between runs you wait on the terrace, with the lake in front of you. If you want more time, you book several runs or buy a pass.

Who it is for For anyone who wants to try water skiing from scratch, and for skiers who want to improve. The minimum age to learn is seven and you must be able to swim. It is not suitable for anyone uncomfortable in the water or with physical limitations that rule out moderate activity. If it is your first time and you want to end up actually skiing, the school itself recommends three consecutive days rather than a single run: the first to get used to the water and the bar, the second to build confidence, the third to ski on the rope.

Local context Ventalló sits in the Alt Empordà, inland from the Costa Brava, among fields and fifteen minutes from the beaches of L'Escala and Sant Pere Pescador. The club is open all year and has changing rooms, a shop, a first-aid room, a grassed swimming area and a wide terrace overlooking the lake. Nearby are the Empúries ruins, the medieval villages of the Empordà and the Aiguamolls nature reserve.