"Hi Michele, fly as high as you can." The 21st edition of the "New Year's Dive," in the azure waters of the Gulf of Asinara, will begin with a tribute to Michele Santona, the beloved nature photographer who passed away last October. The most outgoing event in the city of Porto Torres has attracted record numbers, with 211 participants, a figure expected to grow in the coming hours, with online registration closing at 7 a.m. and on the beach starting at 10:30 a.m., tomorrow, January 1st.
The many brave souls will meet at the picturesque Balai beach, where they'll don their special uniforms—a swimsuit and a T-shirt, this time blue and sporting a smiling image of Santa Claus. A warm-up dance before the countdown, and at noon sharp, everyone will be in the water to enjoy the challenge. It's a chilly but auspicious time to greet 2026 with joy and fellowship, a celebration attended by a large crowd. Also on the starting line are veteran Salvatore Delogu, a former farmer who turns 91 on January 25th, and his partner in the adventure, 88-year-old former butcher Piero Tanca, who have been at the forefront for twenty years, ready to brave the freezing temperatures and take a dip to ward off bad luck. Fun is combined with solidarity: this year, proceeds will be donated to the Agesci Scouts for the purchase of tents. The event is organized by the I Temerari group, coordinated by Lello Cau, with the support of Botteghe Turritane and the patronage of the Municipality of Porto Torres.
