The Sicilian Summer In The Open Water
Nino Fazio provided a complete list of the open water swims scheduled for this summer in Sicily:On July 3rd in Acicastello in Catania, the course for the 5.5K Trofeo Riviera dei Ciclopi no longer goes around the “Ciclopi” (Cyclops), the small volcanic islands near Acicastello, but will truly tax your navigational skills. Organized by two-time Olympian Mauro Prosperi (maupro@tiscali.it), it is a race built around and for the athlete, but without no frills: just good ol’ plain competition and an open water challenge.
On July 4th in Avola near Siracusa, there is a middle-distance race.
On August 1st in Plemmirio, there is the 5.5K Una Bracciata sul Plemmirio. Held in a gorgeous seaside community, the course is held within a marine reserve and consists of two loops in very calm and clear waters. Information is available via polisportivagemini@virgilio.it.
On August 22nd in Messina, the XII Trofeo Baia di Grotta is a 5.2K race in the Straits of Messina. With the course along the Sicilian shores of the Straits, it can be a difficult race with strong currents that swimmers must navigate. As Nino recommends, “Being a strong swimmer is not enough to be successful, you have to feel” the stream by looking at the boats and the seaweed on the bottom.” In addition to the Baia di Grotta trophy, there is the Coppa Nino Musciumarra, named for the open water swimming pioneer in Messina (shown on left), which is a special prize for the first woman on the finish line. On August 28th in Augusta, there is a relatively easy 5K two-loop course that goes along the coast.
On September 4th in Trofeo Nadir, Palermo, there is a 5K race organized by Giuseppe Morici who can be reached via email at gfme.morici@tin.it.
On September 5th in Sant’Elia, near Palermo, there is another well-organized and pleasant 5K race organized by Waterpolo Palermo. For more information, email info@waterpolopalermo.it or Marco Pomar at pomar.marco@gmail.com.
From September 7th to 11th in Favignana Island near Trapani (see photo of beautiful waters on left), there is a series of 3K, 4K, 6K and 10K races in a multi-day event organized by Polisportiva Nadir. On September 18th in Palermo, there is one last 5K swim to end the summer season.
Sounds like a very full schedule in some great waters around Sicily.
Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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