For the Hobie catters of the Pescara 808 Fleet (Italy, Abruzzo, Adriatic Sea), it’s one of the most anticipated events. The Hobie Raid is always perceived as a social, enjoyable, and enjoyable gathering. Indeed, when it comes to recreational rather than competitive activities, everyone wants to camp in tents pitched directly on the Hobies with their catamarans on the seashore in complete tranquillity, lulled only by the sound of the waves on the shore and waking up at dawn with the rising sun. For the members of the Pescara 808 fleet, it’s only a few miles from home, but it’s the magical place, the protected marine sites without chaos, the summer, the desire to have fun in the atmosphere of a fantastic group of friends. It’s like being on the moon! Although some crews occasionally and unannounced depart on day-long round-trip trips during favourable weather and sea conditions during summer weekends, there are “official” and scheduled trips, with assistance on the water and with land transport logistics, which usually moves a caravan of about 50 people including organisers, crews, and chaperones.
This year, for the sixth time in recent years (it was cancelled only one year due to Covid-19 measures), the coastal sail took place southbound, heading for the beach of Foro, near Ortona and the Tollo railway station.
Several meetings were held since the first week of June with the owners of the Baia Cattleya beach resort, Fabrizio Leonzio and his wife Claudia Geusa, to set the date. Having verified the positioning of the buoys at the canal entrance with the relevant municipal ordinance authorization, noted the train schedules for the nearby Tollo/Canosa Sannita station for free return travel (PE) for crews not staying overnight in tents, processed the participant files for dinner with constantly changing registration numbers, booked adequate parking spaces in the Cattleya Bay parking area for the land-based crew, luggage/tent logistics, etc., etc.: everything is ready for the 2026 edition!
On Saturday, July 11th, in the early hours of the morning, we meet at the Barracuda 808 Fleet base to prepare boats and store luggage for overland shipment.
After the final information is received at the skipper’s meeting, the multi-colored sails of the sixteen boats fill the shoreline, which is overcrowded with swimmers. The ritual photo is taken and off we go for the “eleventh” Raid.
Departure is at 12:45 PM, no. 16 Hobie 16s (only Hobie 16s are allowed in the Raid), compass heading S/E, sirocco wind, around 7-8 knots.
I’m using WhatsApp as a VHF CHANNEL 16 (sixteen, obviously!) among the 808’s sailors.
Sailing, not racing, mutual assistance/help. Fleet regrouping locations: in front of the breakwater (¼ of the way out) and in front of the new Francavilla marina (¾ of the way out). The opposite is true on the return trip.
We’re sailing close to the coast, with an imaginary bathymetry of 5 meters. Even though we must tack upwind, it’s forbidden to stray from the coast; the fleet is compact.
Sailing time is approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes; the 8 nautical miles become much longer due to the upwind tacking.
Arrival, swimming, beer, cocktails, shower, and dinner. Dress code: _Hobiewaypersempre808_ green t-shirt or the white 808 one with the knots (savoy + piano + savoy) and flip-flops.
We go to bed late in the tent pitched directly on the trampoline on the 16th. A few hours of sleep, but… at around 4:00 AM, the BLAST OF WIND arrives!! The graph from the nearby weather station records a maximum gust of 39.1 knots at 4:25 AM. I can tell by the difficulty in lowering the Hobie Cat Sailing and Flotta 808 flags hoisted on the forestay, which, as our most illustrious fellow citizen, poet Gabriele D’Annunzio, says (“the flags flutter in the wind”), advise a sudden retreat. Lightning on the horizon advises us to prudently move away from the catamaran masts, which carry electricity, and to quickly take shelter in the beach club restaurant. Consequently, the event will be renamed “Raid della Botta.”
Dawn with the sun rising from the horizon of the sea, but this year no photos because by sunrise we’re all asleep, tired from the night watchman. We’ll meet up for breakfast at the beach club bar later.
The tents are dismantled, more photos with swimmers in a place where the cats—mysterious, fascinating, and multicoloured objects—are usually not seen. 10:00 a.m.: skipper’s meeting for the “Commodore” for the return trip: uncertain weather forecast, rough seas, and a reduced wind complicating the exit analysis due to the sequential passage of breaking waves with little wind power. Prudently, the children and some crew members will return to Pescara by train, the train station being just a few meters away, a crucial factor in choosing the destination of the Raid.
The skipper’s meeting is almost over, and after loading the luggage onto a Mercedes Vito TAXI van specially reserved by the organisers, the Ortona municipal administration, always attentive to this event, arrives with a very welcome gesture, as in previous editions. They are represented by Deputy Mayor Simone Ciccotelli and Councillors Antonio Sorgetti and Fabio Palermo, who greet the officials. After mutual thanks and the customary group photo, the team bids farewell and is ready to set off again.
12:50 PM, off we go: a spectacular start, starting from the leeward sections. The exit wasn’t as easy as expected, but the excellent crews participating had no final difficulties. The sirocco is still blowing, the sea is rough, and the wind is almost the same direction as the outward journey, slightly less intense, 5-6 knots. Endless gliding, many boats with music, Bluetooth speakers, and Spotify.
Sailing time: approximately one hour and fifty minutes, with only one tack downwind.
NUMBERS SUMMARY OF THE BOTTA RAID: 16 CREWS SAILING, 14 CREWS BIVOUACING, 39 ADULTS + 3 CHILDREN AT DINNER, WIND GUST 39.1 KNOTS.
Tired but overjoyed, we gather for yet another third-half debriefing toast, as is customary for the Pescara 808 Fleet for this latest (and fortunately without negative consequences) event in perfect HOBIE WAY OF LIFE style!
Marco, #112552, on his first Raid with Fleet 808:
“A RAID to remember
Last weekend gave me one of those experiences that will remain etched in my memory, and the first in Cattleya Bay. In my nautical past, I participated in the Pontine (Lazio) Islands Raid and the one along the Lecce (Puglia) coast, but this one, organised by the legendary *Fleet 808 HC of Pescara*, captained by the best Commodore ever, was much more than a simple get-together: it was a concentration of friendship, sea, and freedom.
As soon as they landed in Cattleya Bay, the HCs found their place next to each other, and between laughter, sailing stories, and a shared dinner, time seemed to have stopped.
Then, in the middle of the night, the classic summer squall also known as “Botta” arrived. In a few minutes, the wind rose to 40 knots, a few flashes of lightning illuminated the horizon, and the sea began to make itself felt. For a A little adrenaline replaced the tranquillity: tent checks and a lot of collaboration between the crews. Fortunately, it didn’t last long, and just as quickly as it had arrived, the squall gave way to the usual sound of the waves.
In the morning, the sun welcomed everyone; then, between a coffee and a final briefing, we set off again for Pescara, but once again the sea demonstrated how surprising it can be and how important it is to face it together, always with caution and respect.
Because the 808 HC Fleet is not just a group of sea enthusiasts: it’s a family that knows how to turn every outing, even the most eventful, into a special memory.
A heartfelt thanks to my travelling companion Francesco and, last but not least, to my cat’s owner, Walter Pedrini.
See you next time!
Marco”
Lucie (France), #77014:
“Taking part in the Hobie Fleet 808 Raid as an international crew
Last weekend we had the chance to take part in the Fleet 808 memorable summer raid along the Abruzzo coast, bringing together 16 Hobie crews, including two international teams. We immediately felt part of the group thanks to the warm welcome and the willingness of everyone to share their experience.
The weekend became even more memorable after an eventful night at the campsite, when a thunderstorm passed through just before sunrise with wind gusts reaching almost 40 knots. The following morning, the leftover swell made launching through the waves a rewarding challenge, and following the local sailors gave us the chance to learn a great deal about sailing in Adriatic conditions.
More than anything, the weekend reflected the spirit of Fleet 808: friendship, teamwork and a passion for Hobie sailing. We are grateful to the Commodore and the whole fleet for making us feel so welcome, and we are already looking forward to the next adventure together.”
Fabrizio Leonzio, owner of Baia Cattleya: “The eleventh edition of the “RAID FLOTTA 808 CATAMARANI” concluded on Sunday, July 12th.
This time, I’d say it was heroic. 16 boats, including an Austrian/French crew, a Texan, and a Lazio native, brought warmth and colour to our city, choosing our Baia Cattleya lido among the many destinations on the beautiful Adriatic coast for the sixth time.
A sunset arrival on Saturday evening was truly evocative, to say the least. Dinner for about 50 guests, including sailors and their families, with photos, memories, and adventures to share.
A night spent with tents and sleeping bags on the shore, accompanied by the sound of the sea that only those who experience these things can hear. An unexpected wake-up call before dawn, with winds of about 40 knots, made all the crews apprehensive, and us at Baia, especially in view of the return scheduled for 12:30 PM
With the waves growing ever stronger, the sailors of the 808th fleet gather on the sea-view terrace, enjoying a cup of coffee and checking the weather forecast, planning their next steps.
At 11:00 AM, the city administration greets the participants, with Deputy Mayor Simone Ciccotelli accompanied by Councillors Fabio Palermo and Antonio Sorgetti. As in the previous edition, they honoured the invitation extended to the 808th fleet by Mayor Angelo Di Nardo, creating moments of conviviality, exchange of opinions, and proposals that were greatly appreciated by those present. Meanwhile, the sea is calming, and the Sirocco wind is slowly picking up. At 12:00 PM, the crews decide to set sail again, despite the almost prohibitive sea conditions. For the hundreds of people present, it is an unforgettable spectacle: the colourful catamarans, with tenacity and, above all, experience, overcome the force of the waves and set sail, with a good tailwind that will accompany them back to the Barracuda Lido in Pescara. North.
It’s been two wonderful days. A special thanks goes to Fleet 808, to COMMODORE Sandro Marino and his wife Claudia, to our administrators, and to the hundreds of people who attended this sixth event at my facility. Besides highlighting the splendid Foro beach and Cattleya Bay, it also certainly enhanced our beautiful Ortona.
Thank you so much to all of you ❤️”
Sandro
