Club Marlines de Lanzarote dominated the third and final round of the 2026 Spanish Sea Kayak Cup in Vigo, securing top honors in the Promesas, Máster, and Absoluta team classifications. The event, held as part of the Semana Abanca 2026, served as the definitive selection process for the Spanish national team ahead of the upcoming Ocean Racing European Championships in Brest, France.
Dominance in the Ría de Vigo
The competition, organized by the Club Marítimo de Vigo, the Club de Piragüismo Olívico, and the Sociedad Marinetea, saw over 500 athletes converge on the Ría de Vigo. Under the technical direction of the Real Federación Española de Piragüismo and the Federación Galega de Piragüismo, the event acted as the final opportunity for paddlers to secure one of twelve available spots—six for men and six for women—on the national roster.
Club Marlines de Lanzarote outperformed the field to sweep the three major team categories. Their performance underscored a successful weekend for Canary Islands clubs, with the Club Amigos del Piragüismo de Las Palmas earning two runner-up finishes. The podium was rounded out by Kayak Vigo, which secured two third-place finishes, the Club de Mar de Mallorca with a silver medal, and the club from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, which took the final bronze.
Challenging Conditions and Scheduling
The regatta began with a Friday training session, but the competitive schedule faced immediate environmental hurdles. On Saturday, the featured 15-kilometer race for SS1 vessels saw nearly 300 entrants. Organizers were forced to delay the start by over an hour due to northwest winds of between 10 and 12 knots, which created conditions that forced the delay until the weather offered the necessary guarantees to navigate. Once the winds subsided to safe levels, the race proceeded.
Sunday’s schedule, focused on the 6-kilometer SS2 races, benefited from calmer conditions, allowing organizers to accelerate the program. The event concluded with an awards ceremony at the ETEA facilities, presided over by Vigo’s Councilor for Sports, Gorka Gómez Díaz.
A Moment of Remembrance
Before the final prizes were awarded, the event organizers held a formal tribute to Humberto Fernández, the founder and president of the Club Piragüismo Serra de Outes. Fernández, a central figure in the development of sea kayaking within Galicia, passed away recently. The tribute, attended by family, friends, and fellow athletes, concluded with a minute of silence followed by an extended ovation from the assembled crowd.
Looking Toward the European Championships
The successful execution of the 2026 Spanish Sea Kayak Cup reinforces Vigo’s status as a major national venue for sea kayaking. The support provided by the local Concello, combined with the natural conditions of the estuary, has established the region as a field of training and competition. With the national team selection now finalized, the qualified athletes will turn their focus to the European Ocean Racing Championships in France.
Official rankings and further details regarding the national team roster are expected to be published by the Real Federación Española de Piragüismo in the coming weeks. Fans and participants can monitor the federation’s official portal for updates regarding the upcoming international calendar.
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