Sea Kayak Sicily - explore lands and islands

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.