Sea Kayak Sicily - Explore Land and Islands

NEW BASE - INAUGURAL PADDLING

2011-12-11T23:30:00.006+01:00

The day was windy but sunny. A northwesterly force 7, slowing down in the afternoon. The coastline, open to southwest, is protected by some rocky points and the waves hit the coast with an angle of about 30 degree with the Mistral (NW).

Photo by Fiorenzo Fiorenza

21 paddlers coming from Siracusa, Catania, Ragusa and Palermo were ready to fight the breakers, and one after the other launched to cross the surf zone paddling westward in the head wind. The launching took some time and just a couple of us capsized, one collected from the waters edge and another one crashed on the outer surf line under one-and-half meters wave.

From Giarre, Slowitaly Club

From Palermo, Trinacria Club

Once the group was compacted and out of the surf zone the paddling was nice and safe.

The original plan was to land on a small beach just few kilometers far away, but the group skills were not really high and we decided to have only one challenge for the day: landing back without a disaster at the Sampieri beach!

After a short ruddering session on the following wind and waves we grouped again and set in to land without too much problems through the surf. A chain of three paddlers was the line to follow in order to pass safe and avoide the breakers between a shallow sea floor and the sand bar, a kind of join-the-dots strategy. One after one the paddlers went through this line until a couple were too close to the sand bar when a big waves set arrived there. One was rescued with the kayak, another one lost the kayak and was contact-towed to the beach, while the lost kayak was recovered on the beach just 300 meters far from the rescue point.

All safe on land we were ready for a luxurious lunch at the Patapata bathing establishment, prepared for the inaugural day at this new base of the club, and the relaxing party went on until sunset.

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La giornata era ventosa ma soleggiata. Vento da Nord Ovest forza 7, in diminuzione per il pomeriggio. La costa, aperta a sud-ovest, è protetta da due promontori rocciosi e le onde arrivano sulla spiaggia con un angolo di circa 30 gradi quando c'è il maestrale.

21 kayakers provenienti da Siracusa, Catania, Ragusa and Palermo erano pronti a lottare contro i frangenti ed uno dopo l'altro sono salpati per attraversare la zona di surf per poi pagaiare verso ovest controvento. La partenza è durata un bel po' ma soltanto due si sono capovolti, di cui uno vicino alla riva e l'altro sulla linea dei frangenti più esterni dove le onde erano di circa un metro e mezzo.

Il piano originale era di sbarcare su una piccola spiaggetta a pochi km di distanza, ma le abilità del gruppo ci hanno convinto che era meglio avere una sola scenario difficile: sbarcare senza un disastro nuovamente sulla spiaggia di Sampieri!

Dopo una breve sessione di timonata con il vento e le onde di poppa ci siamo raggruppati nuovamente ed abbiamo organizzato una fila di kayaker posizionati in modo tale da creare un passaggio sicuro tra due zone di grossi frangenti. Uno dopo l'altro i kayakers hanno seguito questa linea fino a quando un paio di loro si sono trovati troppo vicini alla linea dei frangenti mentre arrivava un grosso set di onde. Uno è stato soccorso con il kayak, un altro ha lasciato andare il kayak ed è stato rimorchiato a riva, mentre il kayak abbandonato a se stesso è stato recuperato circa 300 metri più avanti rispetto al punto del soccorso.

Tutti salvi a terra, eravamo pronti per un lussuoso pranzo al lido Patapata, per celebrare l'apertura della base nautica dell'associazione, e la rilassante festicciola è andata avanti fino al tramonto.

6th UK Storm Gathering

2011-11-01T12:03:00.000+01:00

This year the 6th UK Storm Gathering took place at Holyhead, in Anglesey. Organized by Mark Tozer, it was an unique opportunity to meet friends and to know famous paddlers, as well as to learn more about paddling in the strong tidal currents running around the island.
Me, from Catania (Sicily), and Mikael, from Billdal (Sweden), had a meeting at London airport of Stansted. By the way, I landed in Luton with a cabin baggage, a big rucksack with my paddling kit and two oversized PVC rolls containing the three sections of an Aretusa kayak! Digging my way across the airport I eventually reached the rental car park, under the worried look of the shuttle bus driver...

After a night driving to Holyhead, the small island in which the gathering was at its second day, we ended up in a wonderful breakfast in the Anglesey Outdoors, with the welcome of many paddlers. Instead a late sleep we launched for a Leadership class with Nick Cunliffe in a Force 6 southerly winds. The sea was pretty rough and we ended up with a heart breaking rock hopping session. Before going to bed, after dinner, we have been awake for 38 consecutive hours.

While for me the following day was due on the Open Water Navigation course with Howard Jeffs, for Mikael there was another gathering day, with the Incident Management class, again in force 6 westerly winds.

The weather forecast was all except good and another force 6 windy day was ahead for my 5 star training course, with Harold Jeffs and Phil Clegg, perfect conditions for the 5 stars, the night paddling included. Once back at the Anglesey Outdoor at 23:30 my friend Mikael did not resist to laugh at my view... I probably seemed a bit dismantled! For him it was the theory day of the Tidal Planning and Coastal Navigation course.

On 26th we drived north of Anglesey, to leave one car at Cemaes Bay and go to launch from Bull Bay. Of course, again force 6 southerly winds. We were on the sheltered shore but the current was at its highest rate being the spring one. Tidal races were running strongly around the small islands and along the coastline. Caves, arches, narrow passages give to all of us the possibility to test our leadership skills, under the guidance of two very clear coaches. The lovely dinner at the Paddlers Return Pub recharged our batteries.

After an uncomfortable night, thinking to our assessment, Mikael and I got up early to revise our trip planning. Axel Schoevers was our assessor for the first day and we went to look for the right conditions for the 4 star. Strange but true the wind dropped down to barely force 5 and meanwhile the sea flattened too, even into the tidal race around Rhoscolyn, where we found a not-too-rough situation. Again the dinner at the Paddlers Return fully recharged our batteries after a day of skill test, with rescues, rolls and rock hopping.

Kate Duffus was our assessor for the second day. She circumnavigated Anglesey just the day before, in the attempt of beating the record! In the morning the sea was in perfect conditions, but in the afternoon it turned to be well above the 4 star conditions, with southerly wind gusting at force 7 and building huge waves that we ride close to the rocky shore, into a chaos of rebouncing clapotis. Back at the base, we waited anxiously for the results, but everyone was happy to receive the congratulations of our assessors.

Leaving Anglesey we drove after Axel and reached Justine and Barry's house where a delicious meal
was quickly ready. A nice and international dinner, from five different countries after Paul Kuthe joined us. The next morning we got up early in order to drive to London. Barry was ready to prepare breakfast, and whiffs of fresh bread leaded us to the kitchen. It was the best way to leave this lovely country after a super paddling week.
Thank you friends!

New bases for Maremotu!

2011-10-05T18:44:00.001+02:00

The sea side of Sampieri. On the left the Patapata bathing.

Weare proud to announce that for the oncoming season (2011-2012) wewill have two brand-new bases. One into the Catania harbour, and theother one on the marvellous sandy beach of Sampieri (Ragusa, southcoast of Sicily).

Thebase in Catania is already known by a lot of local paddlers, since itis the CCC's headquarter (CircoloCanoa Catania). The base in Sampieri is housed into the "PataPata" beach club, where a lot of amenities and services,including a pub-bar and a restaurant will run through the summertime.

Thelatter will be the official Maremotu Federal Sea Kayak School site.We will organize a party (and a paddling day, of course!) by the endof this year. We want to celebrate our new play area. Stay tuned!

Circolo Canoa Catania.

Patapata bathing establishment.

Siamo orgogliosi di comunicare che per la stagione 2011-2012 avremo due nuove basi, una nel porto di Catania e l'altra a Sampieri (RG), in una meravigliosa spiaggia.

La base di Catania è già conosciuta da molti pagaiatori locali, perché si tratta del quartier generale del CCC (Circolo Canoa Catania).
La base di Sampieri, invece, sarà ospitata all'interno dello stabilimento balneare "Pata Pata", dotato di tutte le comodità e servizi, incluso un pub-bar ed un ristorante durante la stagione estiva.

Quest'ultima base sarà la sede ufficiale della scuola federale di kayak da mare Maremotu. Organizzeremo una festa (ed una pagaiata, ovviamente) prima della fine dell'anno, per celebrare la nostra nuova area di gioco!

The village of Sampieri and The beach in front of Patapata.

Vulcanoa Tour - Plans are changed!

2011-09-26T19:32:00.001+02:00

The very bad weather forecast discouraged many participants to engage themselves on the tour around western Aeolian Islands and on monday 19th only seventeen paddlers are present in Vulcano. The Coast Guard call to say that they didn't give the permission for the crossings to Filicudi and Alicudi islands, so the plans need some changes.

Winds blow from WNW up to 20-25 knots. Offshore waves are 3 meters high and hit the west coast of Vulcano island, coming from the far distance of Sardinian sea, where the gale has Force 9. The only safe possibility is to paddle on the lee of the island, maintaing the group very close to the coast, and it is what we decide to do on the first day of the gathering. The reinforcing of the wind in the afternoon adds some adrenaline both to participants and guides when, on the way back to the Porto di Levante cove, the group struggle against a strong current and gusts of wind at Punta Lùccia: all the guides and helpers are involved in towing, rescuing of capsized paddlers and kayakers unable to keep the bow into the wind. Fortunately we don't had to call for a rescue to the Coast Guard, but we were pretty close to this evenience and the group was back on land, just in time to avoid a tunderstorm with lightening and even stronger gusts of wind.

The weather deteriorated, ferries failed to connect the islands to the mainland, except one that was navigating in the lee sides of Salina, Lipari and Vulcano to maintain a minimum of the service. We loaded kayaks and gear on this one and reached Salina, to find one of the best accomodation of theese islands, in a family residence in which we were able to prepare our food all togheter and have beautiful dinners.

The following day the wind slowed down to 10 knots and, despite the sea state was still rough, we launched for the circumnavigation of the island. An "early" start, at 9 'o clock, give us the possibility to paddle all the way around in the day, with the last stop in Lingua for the usual refreshing granita of the Alfredo bar. At the end of the day, we have a super-dinner under the direction of Dario.

The weather now is again the verysicilian summer. We make the 4 km crossing to the west coast ofLipari, with its rock cliffs, caves, stacks, blue cristalline watersand small pebbles beaches. We spent a lot of time exploring and rockgardening along the coast. After we cross to Vulcano and the groupsplit in two parts, one of which go to visit the Cavallo cave on thewest coast of the island. The end of the gathering is celebrated inthe Stevenson pub and we let run te hours and the pints.

Even this time, the changed plansturned to be a good option.

Many thanks to all the instructors andguides that make this event possible!

A paddling week in Sweden

2011-08-30T15:40:00.000+02:00

At the end of August I was invited by Mikael and Johan to hold courses on rescue and rolling in Sweden. Their Maremotu base is located in Billdal, a lovely small village south of Goteborg. Despite the season was at its end the weather was beautiful, with sunny days and agreable temperature. For me, coming from the 38°C of Sicily, it was a great relief to feel the 20°C of the Goteborg City airport.

The warm welcome of my guests' families was the one you can receive from old friends. I was like at home from the first instant and Mikael and Johan provided me fantastic paddling days despite a cold, a broken car (for the two of them), children at school and their own work as teachers.

The Billdal beach have a floating pier that is perfect for students to follow the explanation of the instructors in 1 meter deep water. Here, during the afternoon of the first day we did some exercise, to improve the greenland standard roll. Then a gorgeous dinner was ready at Mikael's home!

In the following days we paddled around the lovely archipelago, rockhopping from an island to the other, crossing safely the short distances and leaded by Mikael and Johan that know this place like their own pockets.

The wildlife is wonderful, swans, sea gulls, herons, cormorants and seals were just some of our encounters. In some islands it is possible to camp and it was a shame that I did not have the time to stay longer.

One day in the city and one morning bycicling around Billdal has been my only activity out of the water.

The last day we had a group of paddlers that followed a base course with rescues. It was a rainy day but we were into the water anyway, so nobody complained for the weather and all went well, including a delicious pasta cooked by Mikael under a large tree.

The last dinner, at Johan's home was nice and relaxing, and it was a bit heavy to say "ciao" and to leave on the next morning.

We are now altogheter planning a paddling week around the archipelago for 2012, probably between June and July, so... stay tuned!

Kayak For Cancer. Malta - Catania.

2011-06-28T17:06:00.003+02:00

La rotta percorsa.

The 26th June 2011, four crews, two Maltese, one from Rome and one from Catania, reached the base of Circolo Canoa Catania in four hard days at sea, starting from Malta. The already-oiled organization led by Dorian Vassallo and Albert Gambina, who are now at their fifth adventure of this kind, for this year proposed a route Malta-Catania-Avola-Sampieri.

Dorian Vassallo & Albert Gambina.

Due to the rough seas encountered in Jonian Sea they had to add a stop in Syracuse, but remains unchanged the challenge to paddle for 125 nautical miles. Without any support boat for assistance, even during the dangerous open sea crossing of the 50 nautical miles in the Sicily Strait!
Fabrizio Messina, on a double kayak with Francesco Landolina, told us about the difficulty of the last 10 miles of the crossing, an encounter with the dolphins, the ups and downs in mood and energy, the arrival in Sicily in the dark, the rough waters approaching Syracuse...
The faster crew was composed by Gianni Montagner and Betty Bassanelli from Rome, with a Outrigger Canoe tandem, well trained in other open sea crossings, both in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Ocean.

Il Team in polinesiana doppio/misto di Tulku Canoa Roma.

Our heroes from Malta, aboard two double kayaks, organized this event to raise funds for cancer research in children, naming the challenge "Kayak for Cancer".
Fabrizio, the day after his arrival in Catania, wrote this text on Facebook: "Everyone should do something of great and fight not only for themselves! Now is time to rest :-)))".

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Il 26 Giugno 2011, quattro equipaggi, di cui due maltesi, uno catanese ed uno romano, hanno raggiunto Catania in quattro duri giorni di mare, partendo da Malta. La già rodata organizzazione capitanata dagli amici Dorian Vassallo e Albert Gambina, che ormai sono alla loro quinta avventure di questo genere, ha proposto per quest'anno il percorso Malta-Sampieri-Avola-Catania. Per il mare grosso incontrato sullo Jonio hanno dovuto aggiungere una tappa a Siracusa ma resta invariata la percorrenza di ben 125 miglia nautiche, senza alcuna barca di assistenza, anche per la traversata dello Stretto di Sicilia di quasi 50 miglia nautiche!

Mark Bugeja & Mike Gellel.

Fabrizio Messina (Circolo Canoa Catania), in kayak biposto con Francesco Landolina, ci ha raccontato la difficoltà delle ultime 10 miglia, dell'incontro con i delfini, degli alti e bassi di umore e di energia, dell'arrivo con il buio in Sicilia...

L'equipaggio catanese Landolina - Messina.

Quello di Gianni Montagner, su polinesiana biposto insieme a Betty Bassanelli, era l'equipaggio più veloce, ben rodato su altre traversate, sia in Mediterraneo che in Oceano.
I nostri eroi di Malta, a bordo di due kayak biposto, hanno organizzato questo evento per raccogliere fondi da devolvere per la ricerca sui tumori nei bambini, intitolando l'impresa "Kayak for Cancer".
Fabrizio, il giorno dopo il suo arrivo, ha riportato questo sul suo profilo Facebook: "Che tutti facciano qualcosa di grande e lottino non solo per se stessi!! Ora riposo :-)))"

Fabrizio addenta voracemente una meritata cipollina!

Ustica Island

2011-05-18T15:42:00.020+02:00

Ferry landing in Ustica.

Maybe not many people know that Ustica Island is just the summit of an ancient volcano that rises from a 2000 meters deep seafloor. Located 35 miles offshore, north of Palermo, it tooks few hours with the ferry to get there.

Lunch at La Cernia Bruna.

Grotte del Lapillo (cave).

Hut of Mt. Guardia dei Turchi.

The downhill.

The view of the village
from Mt. Guardia dei Turchi.

The first day of our weekend on the island is dedicated to a short exploration of the center of the island, with the climbing to the top of Mt. Guardia dei Turchi. From the top of the extinct crater the view cover the entire island perimeter, including the large flat area on the north side, with the remains of a Bronze Age prehistoric village.

On the way down we pass the Lapillo Cave, an old pumice mine and than straight to a pizzeria.

Clockwise circumnavigation.

A view of the little harbour.

Sunday morning weather forecasts give winds picking up from south-west in the afternoon. Our choice is to explore the south coastline and the marine caves in the morning, to be safe and happy on the north side at the time the wind will blow hard.

We get at the southwesternmost tip of the island just at the start of the wind and some big waves are already formed, enough to require an accurate route for a safe enter into the small rocky bay under the lighthouse, avoiding rocks and breakers.

On the north coastline we enjoyed the flat and ultra-clear waters, paddling very close to the rocky shore and visiting three more caves in the vicinity of the prehistoric village. Only the last 500 meters were a bit exposed to the SW wind, now blowing at 15 knots, but even the beginners were able to slowly manage this last effort.

Offshore the sea was between force 3 and 4 and the ferry was shaken by the waves on his way back to Palermo on the mainland. Now we know that the following day the ferry did not faced the rough sea for the increased wind force: this precarious connection to the mainland contribute to save the charme of a true, isolated island.

Tuna fish in Acitrezza

2011-04-10T16:56:00.001+02:00

During a short trip along the Catania's coastline, in a calm-and-flat-water day, we realized that something was making rough water behind the Lachea island. Since this is not a place for tidal races, it was clear that some sort of fish were doing a lot of activity just below water surface. Some sea gulls were flying over and everything came clear when a one-meter-tuna jumped out from the water: a group of tuna fish passing near the coast had found a batch of small fish and were swimming around them and jumping in the middle of the mass to feed themselves. Eventually some opportunist sea gulls were falling down at full speed to catch some food too.

We were able to slowly approach at three or four feet from the slaughtering area, to see the big sea predators in action. Some of them passed very fast under our kayaks, running after the cloud of two inch small fish.
It was amazing to assist to this wildlife event. It happens into the Marine Protected Area of Acitrezza and we want to believe that we will be able to see this things more and more times.

Skin-On-Frame Kayak Workshop

2011-04-08T12:08:00.001+02:00

When you speak about kayaks, either river or sea or racing, you can not miss to mention the ancient origin of these boats and how arrived in Europe through the contact with people who, only up to 1000 years ago, lived yet as at the Stone Age. Greenland, the isolated and hostile place in which Inuit had adapted to live, was reached as a result of tousands-years-old migration flows from the north-east Asia that had led them to cross the Bering Strait and to populate North America and the polar lands.
With stone tools, bones and tusks of animals, these intrepid pioneers worked the drift wood they found on the beaches along with the skins and tendons of relentlessly hunted animals, to build the sleds (for winter) and kayaks (used in summer).

The beginning of the workshop.

Andrea and Luisella waiting for the next step.

Francesco and Gianfranco at the band saw.

Combined square: a modern tool.

Today, with modern tools, yet the same project-kayaks are built according to the techniques of the time, no more for hunting but for the sport challenge. Each year, in the Land of Ice, the Inuit gather even with fans from other places of the world, to face a tough selection with speed races, arpoon launch, rolling skills and rope gym. The “National Championship of Greenland” is born to keep and pass on the ancient traditions. Are allowed, in fact, only kayaks, clothing and tools built according to ancient techniques.

The kayaks used in these games today are called SOF (Skin On Frame) and have retained their ancestral charm, even if made of selected woods and high-tech fabrics.

Coffe break. Very important.

Fresh fruits for builders.

Imagining the bow.

In the last decade in Italy, some fans took their first steps in the building of ancestral SOF, copies of the real hunting Greenland kayaks that today are exhibited in museums of northern Europe.

Thanks to Kayak Ways we organized, between March and April 2011, first ever in Italy, a workshop for the construction of SOF "modern" kayaks, ie those used in today's rolling competitions or at the same National Championship of Greenland.

Exceptional teachers have been Turner Wilson and Cheri Perry who led a small group of kayakers (from Catania, Genoa, Palermo and Ragusa) in the whole process of building a Qajaq (kayak in Inuit language) around their own anthropometric measurements.

The superb tools of the Master.

Bending the ribs.

The work space, thanks to Giovanni Marletta.

Working the bow.

In ten days of work for twelve hours a day, starting from planks of wood (Iroko, Duglas, ash, oak, red cedar), reduced in strips or in long tables, with strokes of planer, drill, saw and spokeshave, has come to put together and "stitch" the skeleton of the boats, learning a lot about the shape of the hulls and how to modify these forms as a function of one use rather than another.

The kitchen of the workshop.

Finishing of the coaming rim.

One frame is ready for the skin.

Arancini and ricotta cheese cake (Cassata Siciliana).

Sewing the coaming.

Colors for the skin.

The timber frame is in fact sewn, to form a resistant lattice. The fabric cover is sewn. Than the cockpit coaming is sewn into the fabric and the painting will complete work of art (because at this point we are talking about art).

Painting.

Andrea.

Luisella.

Hanging in a pubblic garden of Catania.

Looking at the bow from inside.

In the end, we did not miss the launch of the Qajaqs in the Mediterranean waters, under the slopes of snow-capped Etna, under the proud gaze of teachers Cheri & Turner, who also demonstrated their great skills and what we could do with these Qajaqs, revealing and explaining some of their “Inuit secrets”.

The first test from Cheri.

Her own environment...

Straitjacket roll.

Learning Inuit tricks.

This was a very deep experience, that probably have involved souls more than hands.

Christmas Paddling

2010-12-27T10:48:00.001+01:00

After the usual extra filling of the belly with all kind of delicious food, a paddling day is a must. Just me, my wife, my little sister, my next brother in law and our friend "Jeanluc Frontain" we have a start in the small harbour of Ognina, our favourite in Catania.

On the phone Peppe asked if it was going to rain but I reassured him with "no worry, it's ok". But it was in the morning and we start at lunch time... By the way, we paddle the 7 km to Acitrezza, rock gardening the basaltic coastline, under a shining sun. Looking north dark clouds are covering the view of Mt. Etna, looking south it is clear a wide raining area above Siracusa, about 50 km far. Air temperature is around 10-15° and it is a nice feeling to enter in a bar to drink a hot coffee.

Looking at the rainy clouds approaching from south the girls take the decision to give up and wait for a late pick up in Acitrezza. But them will lost a beautiful sunset under a light rain and a wonderful double rainbow...

Sicily Circumnavigation 1

2010-10-26T19:47:00.002+02:00

11/10/2010 - A rest day after the symposium.

12/10/2010

For Roger and Sonja the chosen day to start the circumnavigation of Sicily was not the best to go into a 1000 km journey. Huge waves and 25 knots winds were baiting hard against the East coast. So, after an attempt to start from the harbor of Giardini Naxos (hoping in a more sheltered stretch of coast) the plan B was to follow me to the north side of Mt. Etna to finish the grape harvest and squeeze the grapes into the press.

Roger and Sonja, living in Wales, are accustomed to bad weather and some rain can't stop them. They run Coastal Spirit, a company based near the famous island Anglesey. After teaching at the Vulcanoa Symposium (Roger is a 5 level Sea kayak Coach) they continued their journey in Sicily with the periplus of our island.

Overline and SKD companies borrow them two kayaks for the circumnavigation of Sicily. One is the Overline Aretusa, already used to go around Sardinia in 2006 and around Mallorca in 2009. The other kayak is the SKD 536, the new HV expedition kayak born after the experience of the 2008 Around (Scottish) Highlands.

Pressing of the must.

13/10/2010

Yes this is the day. Choppy sea but light winds. Roger and Sonja pack in less than one hour all their equipment into the kayaks and starts from the little harbor of Ognina in Catania, even known as the Ulisse port.

Extra high load capacity of these kayaks!

I watch them paddling in the still high waves and disappear behind the black rocks. They are heading North and rain is for sure waiting...

We planned to exchange SMS for weather forecast (from me) and position (from Roger). While I'm writing these words they should be somewhere around San Vito Lo Capo, half way of circumnavigation. Here there are our messages. R is Roger, F is Francesco.

14/10/2010

R 18:05 – Sounds great, thanks. Great day, 2 days despite a thunder storm! I think we're North of Santa Teresa – this bit of coast all looks the same!

15/10/2010

R 18:58 – Xlent! Messina port was busy + a little hairy. Camping below the tower, point of Messina.

16/10/2010

R 15:30 – Rough day, as we came around the northern headland. Got to Rometta Marina, will camp the night.

17/10/2010

R 18:51 – Hope the group had a good time, must have had some rough weather [A group from Israel paddling Aeolian Islands]. Super camp at Tyndaris. Lets hope those head winds are light!

18/10/2010

R 6:25 – Its great here this morning (thunder/lightning to the west in the distance)... so better make the most of it!

R 15:14 – We got off at 14:00, lots of lightning + thunders, very heavy rain. Got a good place on a beach, W of Brolo. Will take a rest day or two!

19/10/2010

R 13:31 – What a night! With heavy rain. Pleased I had ear plugs. A big swell is running, winds have dropped. We stayed and rested in the tent. What's the 20^th forecast?

R 16:15 – Roll on friday :-) Had another rough storm blow through :-( cooking lots of food + even had a shave! Many thanks for update.

F 16:31 – Tomorrow WSW 13 kn, no rain. Decreasing in the night 8 kn. 21^st to 0 in the evening. Friday the wind turn East!

20/10/2010

R 15:55 – Dried & aired kit out, surf like the Siracusa day! Will try to get out tomorrow, if it settles as forecast.

F 19:19 – Yeees! Slowing down and turning East on Friday. Great weekend.

21/10/2010

R 13:46 – Yipee... we got off the beach! Sonja did really well. Staying East side of Capo D'Orlando, surf really messy the other side. Early start friday :-)

22/10/2010

R 18:40 – Castel di Tusa is our camp, I think. A great day. Likely two days to get to Palermo, sunday/monday.

F 22:48 – Good weather for next 2/3 days and light winds from South. Next week northerlies again. I could join you next weekend.

23/10/2010

R 17:51 – On the West edge of Termini Imerese, close to a refinery/long pier. Lovely coastline + Cefalù was lovely.Would be lovely to have you along next weekend. Enjoy your weekend.

F 19:55 – Tomorrow light wind from SE rotating E in the afternoon and increasing to 14 kn with some rain. Send an SMS to Vincenzo [Stuppia] for sleeping in Arenella [Lega Navale]. He knows.

24/10/2010

R 16:29 – Met Salvatore Bartoli, just as we came around Capo Mongerbino. He had followed your blog, so was a great surprise. He stay with us to Arenella. Got in at 3 PM.

R 18:48 – Just had grilled gamberone, delicious... at the same restaurant we went to back in April. :-)

F 20:06 – Fantastico! Guess you are in good hands... Weather is changing again, I'll check later the web. Have a good night.

25/10/2010

F 9:57 – For the next 3 days (including 25^th) W winds increasing every day from 10kn to 26kn and rotating North. Rain arriving 26^th. 28^th should be better.

R 11:15 – Oh hum! :-( We're taking a break from the headwind, super place Isola delle Femmine. Let you know where we end up!

R 19:11 – As we paddled past the airport wind increased to 15 kn, gusting 20 kn. 30 minutes of daylight left + 4 km to paddle! Booked into a hotel, as storm approached – Terrasini.

26/10/2010

F 10:00 – May you have a chance today to reach San Vito Lo Capo. The wind will turn wednesday to North, from 11 kn in the morning to 26 kn in the afternoon. Sorry to be late.

R 16:39 – Just got your message. We're in a small cove, South of Torre dell'Impiso [Riserva dello Zingaro], 9 km from the Cape [San Vito]. Will be on the water before 7:00 AM [tomorrow], so hopefully get around!

Royal Air Force Cadets

2010-08-22T10:59:00.001+02:00

A group of 14 cadets of the British Royal Air Force come to Sicily to have a small expedition and training by sea kayaking. Two instructors with them, divided into two groups for a total of 8 kayakers for two three days expedition. The weather was good except for the beginning of the first day and the end of the last one.

A new experience for most of them, who managed to do all the rescues and paddling the 30 km of coastline, performing all kind of landing and launching with moderate surf. Even if it was a military training and a work for all, at the end it looked as a nice experience for everybody.

Special thanks to the Circolo Canoa Catania and Fabrizio, who give us the possibility to stay overnight at their base in the Catania harbour, and to Andrea's family for the use of their house at the mouth of the S. Leonardo river.

Rolling class fighting the wind!

2010-08-12T20:14:00.000+02:00

Again the weather forecast was a bit wrong. The moderate NW wind quickly become a 25 knots north and the rolling class become uneasy both for students and for teacher!

Having crossed the Stagnone lagoon, looking for a sheltered bay and a not too shallow waters, after only two hours we had to fight back our way to the launching point. No way to continue the course after that but at least I paddled with Sergio after years of talking about sea kayak! Giovanni and Gianluca shared with us this crazy day, good for windsurfers!

Of course here in Sicily all good days end with some good food... Bruschette, olives, salad and beer!

A little adventure in Portopalo

2010-08-10T20:01:00.000+02:00

For this excursion of 7th August, the weather forecast was for a light breeze from NE and the choice of the island of Capo Passero seemed good enough for the little group of beginners...

But, just at the start the wind turned to be a westerly force 5. Repeated capsizing and T-rescue quickly convinced everybody to go back to the shore, to have a rest and go to paddle along the sheltered coastline.

The "tonnara", a marine cave, lava dikes... At the end it was a nice and experiencing paddling day for both the guide and the other paddlers!

Daily sea kayak excursion from Capo Mulini

2010-07-26T22:42:00.002+02:00

Alun and Louise, after reading the interview to Justine Curgenven on the Sunday Times, contacted us for a day paddling. They have been guided by Rino and paddled 20 km (11 nautical miles) of the Etna lava cliffs north of Catania, a lot for two beginners!

Initially their strokes were high and not economizing the energies. After the first half of the excursion the strokes becomes more fluid, with the suggestions of Rino.

To fight the heat from a very hot day, Alun learned also to refresh himself holding at the bow of Louise's kayak, while Luoise was splashed with sea water by Alun and Rino. On land a shower was always waiting for the paddlers...

The sea was calm, even if for the final leg, from Acicastello to Capo Mulini, the wind increased a bit. But our friends had no problem.

Rino said they will soon be married: greetings from all the Maremotu Staff!

Land of Cyclops

2010-06-14T18:50:00.000+02:00

Just to demonstrate to Kate that the story of Polifemo the Cyclop was true (did you know the Odyssee?), we went in a relaxing paddling around the rocks in front of the town of Acitrezza and reached the village of Acicastello too, where a castel was build in the year 900 from Normans, over even older ruins.

But a question remain: which is the real origin of the huge rocks in front of Acitrezza? A furious and blinded cyclop? An incredible eruption of Mount Etna? Or there is another explanation?
Mythology, mystery and geology blend into an intriguing cocktail...

Note that the villages here have the suffix "Aci". But this is another legend...

The southernmost tip of Sicily

2010-06-14T18:32:00.000+02:00

Maybe even people who live in Sicily don't know that the southernmost tip of Sicily is 37 nautical miles southern of the Tunis latitude...
At the end of the day we reached the Correnti Island, the remote south of Sicily.

With Kate, that runs outdoor activities in Cornwall (http://www.treesurfers.co.uk/index.php and http://www.canoetamar.co.uk/), we paddled around the Capo Passero Island, exploring each cave and bay, looking at one of the most ancient outcrops of Sicily, with 65 million year old submarine volcanic rocks.

Egadi Islands

2010-06-14T17:46:00.001+02:00

With our glorious campervan we crossed Sicily from East to West, arriving only few minutes late for the meeting at the Trapani harbour. The group was a nice and soundy mix of English and Italian speakers.
The first destination of the trip was the Levanzo island, the little one of the Egadi Archipelago, but the wind was a bit too happy and only the east coast was explored at the end.

In the next day we took the ferry for Marettimo, the highest island, and due to the still blowing wind from west we switch to the option of swimming and then hiking along the beautiful mountain paths. A fantastic and cheap dinner in the evening and an early start in the following morning give us the chance to circumnavigate the island, even in a light north wind and cloudy morning.

Finally the ferry for Favignana, where other two paddlers join our group. The campsite is a bit far from the sea but we manage, first of all, to cook two kind of pasta and drink three different kind of wines... So, despite the morning start is a bit late, we end with sunset the circumnavigation of the island...

For the last day we have some more time to explore walking or bicycling, to discover the most remote corners of an island inhabited from the Stone Age...

BCU Training in Sicily

2010-04-15T19:06:00.002+02:00

For sure the first BCU course ever hold in Sicily, maybe the first in Italy. On request of Maremotu Sea Kayak School, Roger Chandler landed in Catania as a British Canoe Union coach. He organizes courses and expedition for Coastal Spirit up in north Wales but this time he worked in Sicily.

A group of five selected Sicilian paddlers was ready to follow for five days the 3 Star Sea Kayak training and assessment, Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course and the training to have access in the future to the 4 Star Leader Sea Kayak assessment: Andrea, Gianfranco, Giuseppe, Francesco and Vincenzo.

The first two days have been spent along the lava shores of Catania. Day one we start from Santa Maria La Scala, a little fishermen village, and goes to paddle on a calm sea, manoeuvring around the rocky shores and polishing with the help of Roger our paddling strokes. At the end of the day our muscles were a bit aching...

Day two we decided to start from the arbour of Acitrezza and work around the protected area and eventually landing under the castle rock. Towing techniques and an efficient forward paddling was our main objective of the day, with the discovering of the big difference between the Greenland style and the large blade paddles.

Luckily for our spirit a bar was right on the waterfront so we started with good food and drinks and ended in the same way.

Day three, as the program was, we drive to Capo Peloro, the northeast tip of Sicily, into the Messina Strait. This place is famous for the strongest current into the Mediterranean Sea, changing direction every four hours and running up to four knots in spring tides.

The wind was locally blowing from south with gusts up to 20 knots, full force 5. On the south side of the cape a dumping surf was smashing the beach and we spent some time to launch and land. The difficult thing of the day was paddling in the wind while towing two rafted kayaks, in an incident scenario that Roger created for our delight. After many hours into the water and a hard work, during the de-briefing, we received the congratulations of our teacher for the 3 Star Sea Kayak award! Yeaaaaah!

Now the problem was to found a more challenging sea and complicated coastline. The weather forecast for Palermo (our initial plan) were not promising very bad conditions, except for a light rain. The only option was the southernmost point of Sicily: Portopalo and the island of Capo Passero.

We arrived in Portopalo (province of Siracuse) late in the morning. An increasing wind from NE was inflating the waves and the channel between mainland and the island of Capo Passero was a chaos beyond our imagination, with clapotis running in furious lines from the crash of NE breakers against a huge swell from SE.

Roger gives us the possibility of an additional coffee and than he gives us three new scenarios. Our leadership in these conditions and self rescue abilities are the work of this apocalyptic day. At the end of the day a huge smile is on our faces, incredulous to have been able to manage the situation...

Last day is mainly theory and, despite the 200 km of distance from Catania, the Lega Navale Arenella of Palermo was the perfect place with all comforts to rule this really interesting Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course. In the evening, after seven hours of lesson, our brain were well cooked but still enough working to enable us to reach a local restaurant. Ricotta cheese as a starter, Sicilian beer, lovely pasta and fried fishes were the necessary ingredients to recover our energies from the intense five days.

The calm sea of the next morning was perfect for a relaxed paddling.

Thank you Roger for teaching us so many things in a so nice and professional way. While we are thinking to come and learn more in North Wales with Coastal Spirit, you will ever be more than welcome to come in Sicily again, whenever you want.

Island of Lampedusa - day two and three

2010-04-01T23:16:00.000+02:00

After a relaxing breakfast we walk down to the kayaks on the beach. The wind, is blowing from NW instead the forecasted NE, and this is a great news because we have to paddle eastward for about 7 km and only two km north to close the island circumnavigation.

It is a succession of little bays and beaches, caves, arches, and bunkers. Exploring all the corners of the coast we disturb a hawk and a grey heron. Into a small cave we discover a hidden little and silent beach, before facing the noisy NW increasing force 5. The sea state is 4 on the east corner of the island and for us it is not safe to enter the caves on this side.

We are back at the campsite a bit late for lunch and we decide to walk into the protected area of the island, to see the famous Isola dei Conigli (rabbits). The place is breathtaking. Arriving from land the view is open on a turquoise crystal water and a pink-yellow beach rounded by white layered limestone walls. And the little island of the rabbits seems to be there to protect the beach from the south-west swell. This beach is so special that sea turtles come here year after year to bury their eggs. We watch the sunset and come back to finish the day with a pizza and cold beers.

In the morning we are waiting the opening of the ticket office for the ferry to Linosa. But the bad news is that the ferry will not reach the islands this sunday. After some minutes of confusion we are back at the campsite talking about maps, charts and GPS.

The afternoon is dedicated to more land exploring and the evening to a fish barbecue. All are happy, even if Linosa, the island of sea turtles and dolphins, will wait for another trip in these african waters.

Island of Lampedusa - day one

2010-04-01T21:17:00.001+02:00

South, 110 nautical miles off-shore, there is the 9 km long island of Lampedusa, a layered limestone fragment of the African plate, emerging from the Sicily Channel sea floor.

At the end of March we land in the island after a night spent into the ferry from Porto Empedocle. The weather forecast was advising prevailing winds from SSW in the morning, rotating at NE in the afternoon, so we choose to go straight to paddle along the northern cliffs of the island. The layered limestone and sandstone succession is full of caves at different levels and in some points it is over 100 meters high. Sea gulls seem the only animals able to live here.

Exploring all the caves we encounter, after hours of paddling and before the end of the cliffs, we found a deep sea cave at the end of which is possible to land and have a restoring lunch and some stretching. Than we go on, with only three hours of daylight remaining.

We spot the first dolphins at the western point of the island: two fins sliding into the waters. Than the coast is less high, with dry river V-valleys cutting the coast. The wind turn to NE early and we fight a bit when crossing little bays. The absolutely beautiful color of the water, the view of gorgeous beaches and the approaching of the end of the day don't slow down our peace and soon we land on the small beach of the campsite.
Guys can't believe the beauty and the serenity of the place. Hot showers, a cooking pasta competition between sicilian and american cookers and an red wine coming from the black grounds of Mount Etna give a perfect end to a beautiful paddling day.

Wet and happy

2010-03-10T12:43:00.002+01:00

The nice thing of the islands is that if the wind blows from one direction you can go to paddle on the downwind coast. And we do it sometime, despite Sicily is a pretty big island. So, Gianfranco drove his car for a couple of hours to reach me on a place in which was possible do some rolling exercises also under a 30 knots ENE wind.

The rain was light but continuous, so we decided to exit from home already dressed for paddling, hoping that no policeman was on the road in such an horrible sunday morning. We reached safely the beach and the initial feeling was as we were not a bit but totally crazy.

Air temperature was around 12°C but the wind chill was close to zero. After few seconds of hesitation we launched into a small surf on the beach, much bigger after 100 meters, big enough to wash our faces. Under the small cliff east of the beach of Cava D'Aliga we started to brace and roll left and right trying to emulate a greenland style. Sea water was about 16°C, so warmer than air. A butch of cars parked along the road to watch at us, so we give an end and paddled out in search of some wave to ride on.

Looking back the sea was whitening more and more and the gusts were really strong. The crest of the waves were blowed back and surfing them we were blind for all the spray on our faces. After a while we fighted our way back to the beach and landed safely trough the surf that, in less than one hour, was higher and much powerful.

At home a well deserved stuffed chicken was waiting us!
Sicily is beautiful!

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2010-03-10T11:56:00.001+01:00

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Christmas: paddling or eating? Maybe both!

2009-12-27T18:21:00.005+01:00

Last year I was in California at my sister's home... This year a very traditional italian Christmas with parents and families, characterized by tons of very good food that only in these times are cooked.

Despite our bellies were still stretched from the 24th night and 25th lunch we started the day with some creme croissants and cappuccino, not yet tired of eating!
With a small group of friends and some guests (one even from Naple) we launched in Catania to reach the village of Acitrezza. Water temperature was 16°C and air was a little bit more.

Following the rocky coast, made of Etna's lava flows that reached the sea and eventually flowed underwater, in less than two hours we reached our destination and landed into the lovely fisherman harbour. Here there is a bar right in the first building, an ancient house, that is perfect to refill the spirits, quitely watching the kayaks laying above the concrete slipway.

On the way back few minutes of rain and a light headwind were not able to slow down our pace, to be back in time for the lunch to finish all the goodies that we were not able to swallow during the preceding days!

Playing with waves in Sampieri

2009-12-21T15:46:00.004+01:00

To test the best position of the seat into the 536 prototype, our hope was to have flat sea, but after less than half an hour of paddling a westerly wind started to blow, rising the light swell into breaking waves.

Salvatore, not wearing a paddling jacket was soon forced to paddle back and Vincenzo followed him to avoid a cool swim into the waves. Me and Peppe started to paddle along the beach for some exciting surfing. Eventually Peppe capsized a couple of times but quickly recovered eskimo rolling the kayak.

After some loooooong rides on the crest of the waves we decided which was the best position for the seat and landed with huge smails on our faces.

Tidal Race or Greedy Monster?

2009-12-19T00:25:00.002+01:00

In the early morning me, Giuseppe and Gianfranco drived to the north-east tip of Sicily: Capo Peloro.
This is a place well known from the first sailors of our land for its strong currents that create whirlpools and eddies. The ancient sailors called these phenomena as two monsters, Scylla on the Calabria coast and Charybdis in Capo Peloro.

Our aim was not to deal with the greedy Charybdis but just test the prototype Sea Kayak Design 536 that we will use for Cyprus circumnavigation. There was a wind from WNW at 22 knots and a moderate current going north in the middle of the Messina Strait when we arrived. On the beach there was a strong dumping and was not easy launch or land, so we tested temperature of water that was around 16°C, about 5° warmer than air...
Coast Guard, continuosly sailing across the Strait, was interested in our operations but fortunately did not interfere.

After having paddled in every condition, loaded the kayak, used the skeg, changed the paddler, etc., we called it a day. But like any decent day, a surprise was waiting for us: a flat air wheel on the car!

Raven Point

2009-12-16T13:07:00.003+01:00

The limestone rocky coast right under my home is called in the maps "Punta Corvo", that is translated as Raven Point. Al this coast is an area for natural walks. Right at the point there are the ruins of a fanal and the checkpoint house of the Guardia di Finanza that was combating smuggling. This place was also set of the famous television series "Il Commissario Montalbano".

Vegetation consists mainly of endemic dwarf palms plus agaves and prickly pears from South America.

During the jogging I found a sign of falling rocks on an agave: is that for paddlers donw the cliff or for walkers? In any case I will use a helmet next time!

Welcome back by the hawk.

2009-12-01T13:36:00.005+01:00

Today I finally carried my kayaks from the yard behind home to the Bruca's base on the beach.

A hawk was hovering above the beach of Cava D'Aliga, very close to the street, apparently unaware about the running cars.

The cool wind from the west announces the arrival of winter, air is clean and the sea is ready for riding again the waves... And above all my cold is at the end!

Not yet daring conditions: temperature is 15°C and sea water is even warmer, around 17°Celsius!

Is that winter?

2009-11-27T20:17:00.002+01:00

We have such a warm weather here in Sicily that at the end of November we still go paddling dressed only with swimming suite and T-shirt.

I joined the last week Peppe and Gianfranco that use to paddle in the morning along the coast of Catania. The sea was populated only by ourselves and few little fishing boats, very little swell and warm water and air! Will never come winter this year?

Sea Kayak near Taormina

2009-11-16T12:46:00.001+01:00

The best start is a sweet and good breakfast!

Gianfranco, Peppe, Serena, Aldo and Mirella paddled in the second sunday of November along the coast of Taormina, one of the most famous Sicilian touristic destination. A beautiful day, warm water and sun, to explore the caves of the rocky coast between Isola Bella and the village of Giardini Naxos...
The low tide helped them to enter in a narrow cave that is not usually possible to visit... These pics from Peppe and Gianfranco.

Gianfranco, Serena, Mirella and Giuseppe at the end of the day:

Warm October End

2009-11-01T08:13:00.002+01:00

The sea temperature of the coldest waters of Sicily is still around 20°C. The weather is good and we still have plenty of sunny days, and we go around with light T-shirts.

The choice of Tino was perfect: going for a base-course right at the end of October!

Wet exit, paddle float self rescue and learning the first strokes was fine and fun, under the teaching of Giuseppe in the beautiful location of Santa Maria La Scala.

Vulcanoa Sea Kayak Symposium 2009

2009-10-22T13:38:00.003+02:00

The island of Vulcano, with its secure black-sanded beach and crystal waters, was a good choice.
The symposium lasted three days, from the 2nd to the 4th of October with water activities mostly held in the morning, and presentations in the afternoon or early evening. Sottocosta instructors and guides taught entry-level and advanced courses for adults and children. International guests Helen Wilson, Justine Curgenven and Barry Shaw participated in the instruction. Despite rainstorms, the activities of the Symposium continued. For the marathon at the end of the Symposium there was a clear but windy day: a three mile competition in choppy seas, crossing a small tidal race, in the strait between the islands of Vulcano and Lipari. At the award ceremony Helen Wilson and Tatiana Cappucci entertained everyone with a paired Greenland Rolling demonstration.

At dinnertime the international guests treated the participants with slideshows about their kayak trips around the world. Guests praised the good food, the abundant wine, and the relaxed atmosphere experienced throughout the symposium.

Afterwards, almost every participant joined in a rejuvenating tour around most of the archipelago. People enjoyed enormously paddling across the islands and along their beautiful coasts, exploring grottoes, and admiring ancient and recent volcanic activity.
Participants paddled along the islands of Vulcano, Lipari, Salina and Panarea.

The Æolian archipelago has been a wonderful site to paddle. Its coastal waters and its inhabitants seem to be warm all year round and welcoming. The next Vulcanoa Symposium will be in 2010, from September 30th to October 7th.

All the people of Sottocosta are looking forward to meeting more paddlers from all over the world. Mark your calendar!
http://www.vulcanoasymposium.com/

More photos:
Gennaro Battezzato - http://picasaweb.google.com/gbattezzato1/Vulcanoa2009Pentax#
Gennaro Battezzato 2 - http://picasaweb.google.com/gbattezzato1/Vulcanoa2009#

Joe Carnwath - http://picasaweb.google.com/carnwathj/VulcanoaPostSymposiumTour2009#

Justine Curgenven - http://cackletv.blogspot.com/2009/10/fine-food-fine-wine-and-fine-paddling.html
Leo De Chiara - http://picasaweb.google.it/giupa54/VulcanoaOttobre2009?feat=email#
Albert Gambina - http://picasaweb.google.com/algambina/VulcanoaOct09#
Marco Piacentini - http://picasaweb.google.com/piacenm/Vulcanoa#
Giuseppe Piscitello - http://picasaweb.google.com/gpiscitello/Vulcanoa2009#
Vincenzo Stuppia - http://picasaweb.google.com/vikayak68/Vulcanoasymposium02?feat=directlink#
Helen Wilson - http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenwilson/sets/72157622438301615/

The southernmost point of Sicily

2009-09-21T20:24:00.001+02:00

For the third time aficionados sea kayakers from Malta come to paddle along the coasts of Sicily. The first time they paddled along the volcanic black coast of Catania, than was the time of the Ragusa province and this year the choice was the south tip of Sicily, into the Siracuse province.
Using as a base a campsite in Portopalo, we had two day trips paddling in the two directions.

First day toward East, reaching first the village of Marzamemi and than the beautiful and protected site of Vendicari, with its ancient Swabian tower and the old tuna fish farms. On our way back we have a stop in Portopalo for a coffee or an ice cream, coming back in the same place in the evening by car for a beer and a pizza.

The second day the destination is west of the Portopalo harbour, after the Correnti Island, in a place called Punta Formiche, in the Amber Coast. A very small passage is feasible with kayaks between the island and the mainland, than we pass over a 6 meter deep ship wreck and head for a small cave, after which we meet another group of paddlers that come with us to have a lunch break at the Correnti Island.

The increased wind from East slow down our way back but we land in time for a final swimming before load the kayaks on the trailer and packing everything to go home.

More pictures from Frans Debono at: http://picasaweb.google.com/fransdebono/Sicily2009

From the sea level to the top of Sicily

2009-09-15T16:46:00.001+02:00

A 3 Star BCU Sea Kayak British fellow and his Irish girlfriend had come to Sicily for having some adventure and fun in the outdoor. Andy and Aoife are very well trained and I easily teach them some sea kayaking tricks like the wet exit and the T rescue, just in case of capsizing. The very warm water helps a lot and encourage in playing with the boat down under...

We start to paddle along the coast north of Catania, towards the protected area of Lachea Island and the stacks of Acitrezza, where we meet Gianfranco that happily join to our paddling. The weather is nice, a bit windy, but when Aoife ask for a refreshing swim I suggest that we can wait for a shower. I’ve never experienced such a strong rain in a kayak! Was barely possible to see but very easy to drink a lot of water.

The rain last few minutes, after which the sun soon return, finding us protected under the porch of a Bar... in time for lunch.

The day 2 is dedicated to the volcano Etna. We leave from Catania at 6 in the morning and we start to climb at 7. Aoife is very fast and any drop of sweat will be on her for all the 6 hours walking, covering a distance of about 10 km and an ascent of about 1.540 meters. Andrea, who joined us at the last minute, stops at 2.800 meters. Me and Andy run after Aoife, reaching the rim of the NE crater, at 3.300 meters above sea level.

The three hours walking down is mainly done into a thick fog, without the help of any compass, useless into the metal rich lava terrains.

River and Sea Kayaking

2009-09-09T14:18:00.003+02:00

Sarah and Tim, from UK, have booked a sea kayaking trip but the day is windy and they are not jet highly skilled paddlers. So we drive around the big gulf of Siracuse to the mouth of the rivers Anapo and Ciane.

Here we live my campervan and unload the kayaks on the grass, ready to enter the flat waters of the river. While it is possible to hear the roaring of the surf on the beach, we gently paddle along the banks of the rivers, watching herons, ducks and water turtles escaping from the trees or hiding into the reeds. Very relaxing the little channel that leads to a papyrus plantation used since the times of the Greek colonization.

The second day the wind is still blowing from NE, and we change our plan and Sarah and Tim reach the south coast of Sicily. Here we launch from the beach of Bruca, into the municipality of Scicli. The sea is flat, a light wind from land and plenty of sun. We follow the rocky coast and land on a small sandy beach for a break.

A light head wind on the way back and a restoration snorkelling, under the worried watch of a grebe, before the last leg of the – finally – sea kayaking trip.

Sea Kayak and Volcano Trekking

2009-09-06T22:39:00.002+02:00

In three intense days me and Charlie paddled along the lava cliffs of the Catania coast and climbed on the top of the highest active volcano of Europe: Mount Etna.
The first day, paddling 15 km of black cliffs, from Catania to the protected area of Acitrezza's archipelago, was relatively easy despite the 35° Celsius and the high humidity, close to 90%.
Than, the meeting was at 5:00 am, and we started to walk with our backpack and mountain boots at 7:00 am from 1741 meters a.s.l.. Following the 1928 lava flow, the landscape change from the birch woods to the grasslands and than to the volcanic desert. Except us, only few ladybugs are here.

With surprise the smoking summit craters were sprayed with snow and we reached the top (3300 meters a.s.l.) after five hours of hard trekking. On the crater rim we finally hear some loud explosions and we can sense the depth of the pit.
Before we reached the summit the clouds started to pile over the south flank and on our way down hail and lightning started to fall. Reached the old rim of the Ellittico Caldera we started to run down into a canyon with a sandy bottom, the lightning touching the rocky ridges...

The third day we have 20 km to paddle but despite the heavy humidity it is like playing after the effort of the climb. We just start the day with an almond granita with brioche, a sicilian classic breakfast, and we finish with eating in the same place some salty food. In the middle there is paddling, swimming in a sea spring cold water, more paddling and a lovely break with a plunge in the past in the fisherman village of Santa Maria La Scala.

Two friends comes from Malta by kayak

2009-09-02T22:31:00.002+02:00

Albert and Dorian call me in the evening to say “Ehi, Francesco, we will leave tomorrow morning to paddle to Sicily, can you pick us up in the evening at the Punta Secca lighthouse?”. After all the normal safety equipment they carry with them a SPOT (personal satellite tracker) and I will be able to follow their progress into the Sicily Channel crossing. It is a 54 mile distance but they already done that in group and with safety boats, for charity. Now they are alone into their beautiful double kayak.

At the sunset I am on the wharf of Punta Secca, the village that was used for the set of the Montalbano TV series, between Santa Croce Camerina and Marina di Ragusa. I’m a bit warried because I know that they had some drifting in the second half of the crossing. Now is dark, the lighthouse will guide them into the little harbour. After one hour waiting I spot a flashing light on my right and I’m sure they are, but... coming from West instead South!

A cold beer to welcome them is the minimum I can offer! Phone calls to friends and families. They are tired but happy and they tell me all the best moments of the crossing after we loaded the kayak on the roofrack of my Land Rover and we drive home. A shower, a pizza and a deep sleep.

The next day we have more relax, washing equipment and an interview to the local television. The ferry to Malta in the evening is the end of this beautiful adventure...
The next should be a crossing to Tunisia and I’m invited to go with them!

Aeolian Islands dreaming...

2009-08-29T21:23:00.006+02:00

With a lovely couple from Rome I paddled around three of the Mediterranean seven pearls.

Four unforgettable days paddling from Vulcano to Lipari to Salina along the west coast and back, along the east coast, admiring beautiful sunsets. All the tour presented increasing difficulties becoming the perfect sea kayaking school. At the end of the trip an afternoon walking to the rim of the Vulcano Big Crater and a delicious dinner under the porch of dear friends' house.

The pictures will tell you the story...

Rope Gymnastics

2009-08-14T20:24:00.004+02:00

Between an olive tree and a carob tree I finally tied a long rope to try some exercises... They really aren't nordic trees (probably in Greenland there are no trees) but after giving olives and carrubbas they are very good and strong enough also for this use.

I think it is great to become very fit and to increase the strength and the balance... above all on the arms!

Very, very tired at the end of the first attempts!!!

My daughter wanted to try too the rope gym, but with some help from daddy. I guess that very soon she will be better than me...

Aeolian Islands Short Tour

2009-08-04T12:39:00.009+02:00

Only three days to check some locations and talk with people for the organization of the Vulcanoa Symposium of next october 2009. The excuse was good to go paddling a little bit around Vulcano, Lipari and Salina. Stuffed in my Land Rover there were gear and kayaks for 5 people. We arrived late in the evening at the Milazzo harbour and with horror we discovered there were no more room for us in the ferry! Luckily, only 5 minutes before the departure time a place was empty and we rolled into the ship.
First night in the beach near the Vulcano harbour, joining a couple of friends coming from a crossing from Stromboli and Panarea islands. Early in the morning we dismantled the tents to fill up the kayaks with water and food, to launch only after have a ferry ticket for the way back...
Temperature: 35° C in the morning, increasing...
A pause for a granita in Lipari, than a second stop in Canneto, close to the campsite, swimming around, and a lunch break under an ancient pumice quarry. Two amberjack fishes goes into the cooking pots and after a peaceful nap and a coffe we start to paddle again.

The 4 km crossing to Salina is difficult only for the tremendous heat and another 4 km after the Lingua lighthouse we spot a beautiful cove for a bath. For the evening a pizza is waiting for us in Rinella.The following day about 18 miles under a cooking sun are on the roadbook. Circumnavigation of Salina, crossing back to Lipari and paddling down along the west coast. In the afternoon a group of caves offer us shadow, even darkness and fresh air. We finally land in front of the camping site of Vulcano just before the sunset and quickly eat something and go to sleep.

Excursion with friends

2009-07-06T16:09:00.003+02:00

The decision was taken. The meeting was moved from 6:30 to 10:00 (5th July 2009) to let Salvo driving back from the Catania airport. The aim was to check our paddling ability, after one year with very few training, to paddle 20 nautical miles in a short day.

From Bruca's beach we headed for Punta Secca, that was impossible to see in the distance due to the mistiness. We followed a direct route behind the GPS traking of Vincenzo.

Nuccio turned back at about 3 nautical miles from the start, leaving me, Vincenzo, Salvo, Gianni and Pino. A composite group of friends with strange hats under the burning sun.

The light head wind started to blow with increasing force, lifting waves over the bows. The paddling become to be wet and fresh. When I reached alone the harbour of Marina di Ragusa, after three hours of paddling, I had the time for a swimming to empty the bladder and climb back into the cockpit before seeing Pino and Salvo approaching with Vincenzo and Gianni in the distance. It jumps out that Gianni was using a self-made 2 kg heavy paddle and was going to leave for exaustion! Luckily Vincenzo has lent his spare one...

One hour more and we land near the famous (after the movie of Montalbano Commissioner) lighthouse of Punta Secca.

Under the shadow of a tent we ate our food. Some cold beer, salade, bread, cheese, ham, cold tomatoes, fruits... A good lunch. Somebody start to snore collapsed in the sand, others chatting quietly. Good time: 9.4 nautical mile, four hours and 10 knots wind. A coffe is needed in order to paddle back to Bruca!

With the backwind the paddling is faster. We slow down and follow the protected beach of the Irminio River mouth to have a closer watch of a beached vessel, probably used for a landing of illegal immigrants.

Than we land for one more coffe but the bar is still closed. Eat a bar and back to the sea, until our final destination. Four hours to go, three hours to paddle back. Nice friend, nice day!

Introduction to sea kayaking

2009-07-06T15:59:00.002+02:00

On saturday 4th July, Marcello had an introduction to sea kayaking, learning as well the wet exit as the low brace and conduction of the kayak with light winds. In the afternoon sea conditions turned to advanced level and we moved to another day to continue with base rescue skills...

Basic-surf sea kayaking class in Bruca

2009-06-29T21:09:00.003+02:00

"Just one day late!" I told to my pupils from Sweden... "yesterday was the perfect sea for a surf course!". At the end the day was really fun, after some little surfing and a rescue lesson, so much exciting for the nordic guys that they asked me for learning more and to continue for learning a bomb proof eskimo roll...

small surf at the Bruca's beach

Paddling in the fog

2009-06-29T20:44:00.004+02:00

Great paddling! With Vincenzo and Salvatore, we paddled in a 15 knots NW wind with patches of fog that reminded me Scotland! A lot of fun paddling downwind, a little bit less coming back to home... And nice breakers on the beach!

We all were not able to remind an end of June so cold, foggy and windy!

Kayak for Cancer

2009-06-21T11:47:00.004+02:00

Two double kayak teams crossed the sea channel from Sicily to Malta. 19th June at 16:00 they launched from the harbour of Pozzallo heading south towards Malta. The sea conditions were perfect with a very light wind but, as reported from Dorian, the night was very dark and the sea full of jellyfishes.

I visited them in Pozzallo to give them a good luck. The teams were composed by Dorian J. Vassallo with Albert Gambina and Michael Gellel with Mark Bugeja. A sailing boat and a safety boat followed the kayaks. After 15 hours and 25 minutes they landed safely in Valletta after an open sea crossing of 51 nautical miles.

The challenge has done to collect money for the cancer research and it is the third one after the crossing in single kayaks from Malta to Sicily in 2008 and with double kayaks around the Malta archipelago for a distance of 60 nautical miles in 18 hours in April 2009.

The next crossing will see the teams attempt to paddling from Malta to Linosa to Lampedusa and Mahdia (Tunisia), covering the total distance of 182 nautical miles in three days. Me and my friend Rino decided to join the maltese teams in a double... but to join them we have first to perform the crossing from Sicily to Malta!

Dorian, me and Albert

A new sea kayak school

2009-05-14T15:33:00.009+02:00

On the 29th of april we had a little party for the presentation of the second base in Catania of our sea kayak school.

Of course the party followed a two hours paddling session along the lava cliffs... Than, after the toast with David, the owner of the shop, and with all the present friends, we make a draw of four courses of introduction to the sea kayaking.

The four lucky winners never paddle before and this is much more interesting in the aim of sea kayak diffusion. The draw was done with little piece of numbered tickets mixed into the forward hatch of a "SKD 486"...

During the party a group of multi sport instructors started to talk about the possibility to offer a number of activities like wind surf, sea kayak, diving, snorkeling, caving, trekking, parachute and so on...

The kayakers friend also were present for a toast and offered their cooperation for future projects.
If a good start is a good omen, than we can hope well.

Siracusa and the rivers

2009-04-07T09:59:00.005+02:00

With the Sicilian friends of the Sottocosta Association (http://sicilia.sottocosta.it/) I paddled the 5th of April morning from the town of Siracusa to the mouth of the Anapo river, paddling under the shadow of the trees along the beautiful canals. A warm wonderful day to start the spring paddling season...

New kayak school in Catania

2009-03-28T10:43:00.003+01:00

The new Maremotu Kayak School base is finally open in Catania, at the Milone Mare Sport shop!
A beautiful launching little harbour right in front of the shop, perfect for the start of the excursions and courses. Plenty of fine equipment for kayaking, fishing, snorkeling and diving into the shop, where we run the theory lessons.
Very soon the innauguration...

Francesco and Peppe at the entrance of the shop / school.The street location of the shop /school.The veranda of the shop.
The launching spot into the little harbour of Ognina.

A little park along the coast

2009-03-07T20:51:00.008+01:00

Very close to the Maremotu Sea Kayak School in Bruca, only 5 km east from our beach, a new park is going to be open in this summer.
There is an interesting biological environment, very similar to the north African coast. Some trees are endemic, like the small palms, others come from the South America, like the agave cactus.
With a bike is possible to follow the coastline along the improved paths of the park.

From the village of Sampieri, after a short dirt track there is a little beach, very nice place to land with a kayak.

Then the rocky shore rise again but a track delimited by the classic white stone walls gives the possibility to reach a little house that will be used as a museum.

The story of this house started with the Second World War, when the german troops buided it up to control the coast.

The dirt road continues towards the village of Cava D'Aliga, along the rim of the sea cliff, between palms and agave cacta.

A nice little anthropized strip of land, between the sea and cultivated fields, that is both nice to paddle along or cross with a bicicle or walking.

Extraordinary strong winds

2009-01-25T21:57:00.002+01:00

This is an extraordinary hard winter, with heavy rain and winds.

In the last week here in the south of Sicily like in most part of Europe, the weather was all than good. Today a paddling was in my plan but the 35 knots blowing from the night before and reinforcing in the late morning prepared for me and my friends Peppe and Vincenzo a wild environment that discouraged all of us entering the water.The water was the color of the sand and big waves were running in two different directions. The beach was disappeared and some crushed wooden buildings parts were floating into the foamy liquid with all their nails and screws still attached on. Some seagulls were flying over the breakers looking for confused fishes and a Common sandpiper was looking for a sheltered spot between the exposed rocks.Also in Donnalucata, a village 10 km north of the Bruca beach, the conditions were pretty wild and after a hot coffee in a bar we just talked a little bit more about the weather, to agree that this (still blowing right now) is the strongest wind in the last ten years...

Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium

2009-01-10T23:08:00.005+01:00

I was yesterday at the first day of the GGSKS in the "rescue, towing and incident managment" class, with Rob Avery and Bryant Burkhardt as coaches. The class was really interesting and we also had a lot of fun, practicing the rescues into the Yellow Bluff tidal race. All our training was done with the great view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the skylight of San Francisco, Angel Island, Alcatraz and the Berkeley Bridge.

In the evening the symposium organization offered very good pizzas and drinks just before the presentation from Nigel Dennis of his last expeditions in some really extreme environments, like the circumnavigation of remote South Georgia island. His pictures are beautiful!

After a short pause Sean Morley introduced me for the slide show of the "Around Highlands" expedition of May 2008. Despite my poor English I was able to tell the story of the 800 km vojage that I've done with Mauro and Tatiana all around Scotland, from Fort William to Inverness.

Thank you to Sean Morley, Jen Kleck and Matt Palmariello for the organization this beautiful symposium.Thank you to my friend Fran Sticha, for driving me around California with her car, helping me so much in reaching the beautiful symposium location (Sausalito and Horseshoe Cove) and back to my sister's home in Pescadero.

Through the Maveriks waves

2009-01-07T16:31:00.010+01:00

At 8:30 Chris Manchester with his huge Dodge truck pick me up in front of the gate of the Redwood residence. He is the owner with Doug of the Half Moon Bay Kayak co. Their base is located right into the harbour of Half Moon Bay, at the southernmost part of the village.

The day is beautiful, with no clouds of fog. Chris give me the basic equipment, included a helmet, and guide me out of the harbour and through the remarkable waves just behind the famous surf spot called Maverik. One of this 2 meters rollers strike me on the way out and I’m very surprised by the power of this waves!

Keeping clear from Maverik we paddle for about 8 km, pretty far from the coast to avoid the surfing zone. Than we approach the cliff in a place called Table Rock for the presence of a flat rock right at the sea level and about one mile from the beach. The huge rollers of the Pacific Ocean are bended around this rock and crush over it. Chris explain me how to overcome the first line of rollers and we reach a very large soup zone behind Table Rock. Than we paddle forward looking for a suitable place to paddle back to the open sea, avoiding to be crushed on the second line of the surf. The head of the kelp algae rise out from a 10 meter deep sea floor while we manage to paddle our way back to the harbour. The waves from north west and the ebbing tide help us.
On the Maverik’s waves we meet a surfer and Chris suggest him to try at Table Rock (here some surfers have a speed boat that drag them right over the wave). Than we paddle across the narrow passage between the mushroom rock and the rollers over the reef to land on the beach on the north side of the harbour, in order to portage the kayaks quickly into the harbour.

Thank you Chris for the beautiful paddling day, my first one in 2009!

Doug and Chris in front of HMB Kayak Co.

The 2009 begins...

2009-01-03T17:38:00.002+01:00

Rosanna makes a delicious dinner for the end of 2008: lentils soup, american turkey, potatoes and a marvelous chocolate cake. Also the little Paola waited for midnight and then we all sleeped as babies into the house deep into the forest...
For the first of 2009 we have a pancakes breakfast and then we drived to the Wilder Ranch park to walk with the children and eventually we had a pic-nic in a nice sunny afternoon.

In the 2nd me and Barbara drived (I should say that only Barbara drived because I forgot my driving licence in Italy) the car of Rosanna to Oakland and stopped at the California Canoe & Kayak shop, where we started to talk with the owner, Keith Miller, who called quickly Fran Sticha (in the picture from left: Keith, me, Fran). She escaped from her work and reached us in few minutes. I purchased some good equipment and then we had a marvelous lunch with crab, clam and mussel shells. Fran, who visited us in Sicily the last year and paddled a couple of hours with me, drived us to the world famous Berkley University in which she works.
With Barbara we had only one hour to visit the huge university but it was enough to have an idea. Then we drived through the Berkley bridge to San Francisco by night and reached Pescadero before dinner to embrace our little Paola.
An unforgettable day.

American Christmas

2008-12-25T04:37:00.002+01:00

With my family we joined my sister in Pescadero, one hour south of San Francisco. She lives in a wooden house, deep into a sequoia forest, not far from the ocean and from Pigeon Point, famous for the lighthouse builded in 1872.

Despite actually I get a strong influenza, in the following days I hope to paddle in Half Moon Bay or under the Golden Gate bridge during the GG Sea Kayak Symposium...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody!

Learning control in the surf

2008-12-15T08:12:00.003+01:00

8 December 2008.

A sweet night was followed by a perfect breakfast with milk, coffee, tea, marmelade, biscuits, bread, butter, orange juice and the magic add of the remains of some slices of the pizzas that Gabriele cooked for all of us (about 10 people).

The house of Andrea is a perfect lauching spot for kayaking. We need just to dress on our wet suit and put the kayaks on the water, grab the paddle and head for the mouth of the San Leonardo river.

Out of the river the beach was alive with a small surf that was perfect for a learning session into the breakers. Me and Peppe played and taked pictures while Tony was quickly learning how to brace in a small surf.

Andrea was hesitant and his choice was to repeat the wet exit, the paddle float rescue and T-rescue. Only the uncoming storm and the thinking of the cooked pasta let us paddle back into the river to join with Andrea's family and our friends for the lunch.

First post

2008-12-10T20:21:00.001+01:00

The last excursion, december 7 2008, was very short but extremely exciting, with the paddling across the turbulent waters flowing from the San Leonardo river mouth to the sea, creating something similar to a tidal race. Here is a picture of me paddling against the current, towards the river.
Thank you to Gabriele Melita for this picture.

With our friends Mirella and Tony, plus Barbara, Andrea and Peppe (all them three are collaborators or members of our company) we paddled about 3 miles from the mouth of the San Leonardo River to the mouth of the Simeto River. The weather was beautiful with calm sea and a light westerly wind. Many birds watched in the banks and along the beach: little egret, cormorants, sea gulls and other unidentified species.