Mr Kleanthis Hadjisoteriou joined the marina at the very early stages of its opening with his yacht, marking a whole life of living on the sea on his sailing boat, as well as being part of the Limassol Marina team, as our Technical Consultant.
Kleanthis Hadjisoteriou, a Famagusta native with a deep love for the sea, is a familiar face around Limassol Marina. For not only has this seasoned sailor been actively involved in the construction and operation of the Marina since day one, but he has also made it his home. Since 2013, he has been living on his sailing boat at Limassol Marina, doing what he loves best – living on the sea. Kleanthis spoke to us about what it’s like to live at Limassol Marina, the joys of sailing, his many racing accolades, and how sailing brought his family even closer.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you become interested in sailing?
I grew up right next to the water in Famagusta. Our father had a sailing boat, and when I was six, I got my first little boat. That’s pretty much where it all began. After graduating from University, I relocated to Greece, where I co-owned a boat with another Famagusta native, before finally purchasing my own vessel in 1986. I had been sailing all around the Greek islands for 10 years while I lived in Greece, and in 1987 I decided to make the move to Cyprus by boat. So unheard of was this at the time, that when I arrived at Larnaca Marina, the then-manager, Mr. Kariolou told me I was the first to ever do so! I spent about 26 years at Larnaca Marina before making the move to Limassol in 2013, and I’ve been here ever since.
I have been participating in sailing races and regattas around the world for as long as I have owned a boat, and I’m still racing today. It’s even more special now, because I have the best crew – my boys, to whom I have passed on my love for the sea. Now in their 30s with their own jobs and partners, they still jump at every opportunity to join us on a sailing expedition. It’s a great way to bond as a family.
What are some of your most treasured memories from your years spent sailing?
Family time on board is one of my most treasured memories. Spending time together, in such close quarters, is actually a great family bonding experience, and I believe it’s helped all of us – especially my kids – build strength and character. My boys were taught to help early on, navigating and taking shifts while their mother and I slept. They are now both responsible, well-standing citizens and the discipline that comes with sailing has helped with that. We are also a very sociable, chatty bunch, and this has a lot to do with how much we’ve travelled. We’re always meeting new people, striking up conversations with strangers, and making friends all over the world. There are people in islands or marinas across Greece and other countries who know our family by name, and we look forward to spending time with them whenever we set sail.
What moments in your sailing career are you most proud of?
My proudest moment was probably winning the Ioannideia 2018 Event. This is the largest sailing event hosted in Cyprus, and is co-organized by Limassol Marina and the Famagusta Nautical Club. Another proud moment came one cold, windy day in 2006 at the Cowes Week Regatta in the UK, where we came first in our class. And of course, several other local championships that we received prizes for.
Of course, winning every race is impossible, but even just participating is an experience in itself. I remember taking part in the Aegean Rally one year, where we were in first place until about 4 miles before the finish line. Then, we hit a space where there was just no wind. The following boats started to sail past us, and we fell to fourth place. But what a fantastic experience that was! And a good test of the nerves.
I am also proud to have been part of the legendary Round the Islands Race in Gothenburg during midsummer that takes place in Sweden every year. It’s a huge event, and takes place on the one day of the year where there is 24 hours of daylight, and there are thousands of boats. It starts in the morning and ends around 6-7pm, after which there are parties that last through the “night”. I was there in 2005, we didn’t win, but it was such an amazing time! The race takes you through all these little isles in the west coast, and people set up there, playing music, having fun. What an experience that was!”
Did you ever experience any scary moments?
Of course, a life on the water also means braving some rough weather along the way. It was Easter 1987, and we had just left Athens with my wife to bring our boat to Cyprus when we were hit by a gale force 9 storm. It was us and another English couple on board, and thank goodness they were there because he was a much more experienced sailor than I was. Several boats that tried to make it to harbour sunk that night, and many had to be rescued by the Greek Navy, our co-captain helped keep us calm and safe. We put down our sails, wrapped them with rope, tied the steering wheel, and just let the boat be led by the currents, continuously monitoring to make sure we weren’t near any island. We never made an attempt to get to a port, as that would have been dangerous due to the size of the waves. That was the day that I learned that the weakest link on a boat is man. Boats will survive when handled correctly; any errors are always human. And, of course, that keeping calm is of paramount importance.
What does a typical day at Limassol Marina look like for you?
A typical day for me is just like everyone else: I wake up and I go to work. Except my work is right outside my boat! I do love living on the boat. I enjoy the gentle rocking, the sound of the rigging when it’s windy, it acts as a lullaby for me and actually helps me sleep better. After all, I know that I am safely moored in a secure marina. I have a little galley with a gas cooker on board and I often cook. I spend my free time fixing things on my boat keeping my boat very well-maintained! And on the weekends, my family comes to Limassol, and we do coastal sailing and swimming in Lady’s Mile. In the summer, we all head to the Aegean.
In a way, I’m also an off-duty attendant of sorts. Since I am always in the Marina, I feel a responsibility to keep an eye on the other boats once all the attendants have gone home. There were many times when I would go out during a storm and take care of boats that needed attention. Of course, Limassol Marina is one of the safest in the world. Its orientation and the breakwater mean that we don’t get big waves or swell coming in, and we are very well protected from extreme weather conditions.
How does Limassol Marina compare to other marina destinations you have visited abroad?
I have travelled extensively to marinas in several countries around the world. I have been to Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Malta, UK and Sweden, and I can honestly say that Limassol Marina compares to the best of the best. We offer five-star facilities – clean, well-maintained showers, washrooms, fantastic attendant services, safe moorings. We have received awards at international level, and I believe we have truly set the standard for marinas in Cyprus.
The island’s location also is also a big bonus, as it offers perfect sailing weather. The bays of Limassol and Larnaca offer windy conditions without big waves, thanks to the capes, and this allows for extremely enjoyable sailing. You can go out on the boat, have a swim, come back and go out in the town, walk through the city, explore the nearby villages, go skiing. There is just so much to see and do. Now, with the opening of other marinas, we are creating more nautical tourism for Cyprus.
Raising the standards of the sailing industry in Cyprus is a cause that is close to my heart, and one that is shared by the Limassol Marina ethos. The Marina currently co-sponsors several races, including the Ioannideia, Limassol Marina Regatta, Fameline Offshore Sailing Regatta, ORC European Championships and the Far East Sport Boat European Championship. There is a long way to go, but our aim is to turn Limassol Marina – and, by extension the bay of Limassol, into an international sailing destination of high standards.
How do you feel about being part of this project as it celebrates its 10 years of operation?
Limassol Marina has changed the face of Limassol. It was the city’s first major project, and it kickstarted so many others – the Old Port, the many tall towers, the promenade. And it was also the catalyst for many big institutions to relocate their business to Limassol. So we are certainly proud. No one believed we would finish in 10 years and yet here we are. Little by little, facing many challenges along the way, with everyone doing their part. We surpassed every expectation, and raised the standards high. And this is only just the beginning. There is so much more in store, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.
