The August heat reminds us that we are in the midst of summer and Italy is once again, one of the top destinations for many pleasure boaters. In the province of Imperia, in Santo Stefano al Mare and San Lorenzo al Mare are located, respectively, Marina degli Aregai and Marina di San Lorenzo, belonging to the Cozzi Parodi Group, the perfect place for those wanting to spend their vacation enjoying the beach, nature, sports, and relaxation, all with the environment in mind. Daily Nautica interviewed Beatrice Cozzi Parodi, president of the Group, to talk about the summer season and the latest in hospitality for clients.

HOW IS SUMMER 2023 GOING?

“The season is going very well, considering we are in an economic crisis, and there is a lot more attention being paid to family budgets.  We have worked hard to offer an experience that can accommodate anyone. The events we have organised have seen lots of participation and enthusiasm. Just to list a few, we closed the racing season with the 470 and 420 European Championships, completing all 12 races thanks to the good weather. Also in sports we hosted the two day ‘Pedalata col campione’, with the participation of Francesco Moser and Faustino Coppi, which helped promote our facilities as a Bike Hotel and showcased Hotel Aregai Marine as a hotel for all sports people, not just for sailing.  But we haven’t limited ourselves to sports: on 10 August we hosted a fashion show by the atelier, Monica Dani Fashion, for which we received compliments for glamour and style by writer Barbara Ronchi della Rocca, with at least 300 spectators enjoying the show under the stars.”

IN ORDER TO GUARANTEE SWIMMERS BETTER ACCESS TO THE WATER, YOU DECIDED TO BUILD A FLOATING PIER, LEADING THEM DIRECTLY TO THE BEACH. THIS HAS BEEN MUCH APPRECIATED BY CLIENTS.

“Yes, it is longer than the standard pier, which takes swimmers from the beach into the ‘heart’ of the water. It is one of the new services we have put into place this summer. The ‘easiest’ events took place on the beach with musical entertainment from 6-11pm, like the Ferragosto celebration and happy hour continuing every Saturday until 2 September, and a huge end of summer party.”

MARINA DEGLI AREGAI IS ALSO HIGH RANKING FOR PLASTIC COLLECTION FROM THE WATER. CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW?

“Cozzi Parodi Group, which has made environmental protection its mission, signed, in 2019, an agreement with LifeGate, a Milan-based company, working in pollution control, leasing us a Seabin, a garbage collecting device that can collect up to 1.5kg of waste a day. This is a floating waste collector anchored in the port of Marina degli Aregai which, throughout the seasons travels between pier H and pier B, which have been identified as the areas with the highest waste accumulation (mainly plastic and cigarette butts), so as to help clear waste from the water.  By being along these piers, where wind and water currents collect waste, the machine is placed in the water with the top at the waterline, then, thanks to its pump and the current, it can collect up to 25,000 litres of water per hour, collecting waste inside the device.

The waste thereby captured remain inside the machine, while the cleaned water flows back into the sea. The Seabin is emptied and cleaned every week and has been anchored in the port of Aregai since 2019, which s when it was leased from LifeGate. Over the last 8 months we have collected 11.5 kg of waste, a low amount thanks to people being more aware, and our campaign aimed at encouraging pleasure boaters to pay more attention to waste disposal. This explains why the amount of waste collected is so low compared to the amount Seabin could potentially collect. Many people have taken up the invitation to not dirty the water, and have begun recycling on land as well.”

FOR ANYONE ON A YACHTING HOLIDAY WANTING TO STAY IN YOUR FACILITIES OR WHO WANTS TO PASS THROUGH DURING NAVIGATION, ARE THERE STILL MOORING SPACES AVAILABLE?

“We have a promotion for clients that includes a discount for mooring vessels between 21 and 50 metres. Marina San Lorenzo has a discount of 25% for mooring vessels between 30 and 40 metres and Marina degli Aregai has a 15% discount for vessels between 21 and 50 metres. This offer is valid for seasonal or annual contracts, if the contract is signed by 30 September 2023. I would also like to talk about other upcoming news: Marina di San Lorenzo will be opening an area dedicated to crews, a space for fitness and food. It looks like a ‘winged arrow over the sea’. “We could call it the “Sailing Arrow”… In addition we have renovated the private SPA, and we will soon be opening a number of shops, making the port a lively place.

Marina degli Aregai will be expanding beyond mooring sailing and motorboats, running a sailing school operated by Soleil, as well as events organised by the Yacht Club. Wellbeing and health also have their place, with a gym complete with osteopaths and physiotherapists, a nutritionist and naturopath for healthy eating catered specifically to athletes, alongside rooms for sports massage. There will also be a hair care centre, wellbeing centre, a hair boutique known for their keratin therapy and lamination, run by Fiore and Paolo Gori, along with a hair academy and beauty salon. And lastly, we are opening a furniture shop and interior design studio.”