VII Travesia a Nado Isla Colombina

The Travesía a Nado Isla Colombina offers three distinct open water challenges held annually in the waters of Valle Gran Rey, on the island of La Gomera. The event, organized by the Cabildo Insular de La Gomera, features 5500-meter and 3300-meter distance courses for experienced swimmers, complemented by a 200-meter category for younger participants. Typically scheduled in the peak of summer, the competition utilizes the coastal environment of this Canary Island, where the volcanic topography meets the Atlantic.

The swimming context

Navigating these waters means contending with an environment shaped by deep-ocean swells and the rugged cliff lines characteristic of the island's west coast. Swimmers follow a course along the shoreline of Valle Gran Rey, an area historically significant as a point of contact during the era of early maritime exploration. While the 1492 expedition led by Christopher Columbus famously utilized the port facilities on the eastern side of the island for final provisioning before crossing the Atlantic, the modern swimming route remains focused on the natural conditions of the southern coastal stretches. Participants should be prepared for the typical marine currents that influence these waters, which are exposed to the open Atlantic. The rugged underwater landscape provides a clear view of the volcanic rock formations extending from the cliffs, often accompanied by the presence of local avian species such as the Cory's shearwater, which are frequently spotted diving near the coastal fringes during the August race window.