There is something very pleasant about waking up early in the morning and getting on the water while the sunrise illuminates everything around you. I have always had troubles with crawling out of my sleeping bag when it’s still dark and cold but now I start to enjoy this race with the sunlight. I started to put little systems in place, to be more efficient and quick, just to be ready on time. Every day I manage to save a few extra minutes to then spend them on the water instead of running around the camp.
I almost made it on time the day I am getting ready to paddle towards Messina Strait. I paddle out with the sun still sitting right about the horizon, wearing my drysuit because of a slightly cooler morning. I paddle along the town’s, roads and rail way, working my way against the wind that hasn’t left me since Capo Mulini. I have the ambition to paddle further then the day before so I keep pushing hoping to get to Messina, maybe even pass it. At the same time I find it irresistible to spend some time soaking up the sun during my breaks, which consequently delays my plan every single day 😅
I slowly approach the city of Messina at the same time approaching the sunset. Hodei, my partner, is helping me out trying to find some good spot to sleep for the night, since town surroundings are not a great place to camp. Unfortunately nothing is available that would be close to the beach so I keep paddling towards Messina’s lighthouse, Lantern Montorsoli, where Francesco suggests to set up for the night.
I land after 38 km, right next to the lighthouse. I am not going any further, the sun is setting plus there is a current past the tip of the harbour’s bend, running against me at around 4 knots. I’m done for the day. Tomorrow’s crux will be the Messina Harbour and the Ferry terminal as well as entering Tyrrhenian Sea and the north coast of Sicily.
