Asturias Series: Kayaking The El Descenso del Sella, Ribadesella - Asturias

in #asturias6 years ago (edited)

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We went to Ribadesella twice, but sadly never did the El Descenso del Sella kayaking ourselves. You must understand that was right at the beginning of our travels and back then kayaking was way too adventurous for me. Things changed since then 😅. This article was first published on our Asturias Blog in 2010.


Entering 80 years of history, the International Descenso del Sella has become one of the most important events on the Asturian calendar. Over 300,000 people showed up to watch this year’s canoe and kayak race and participate in a week full of parties.

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Of course, we had to go, especially since the train ride cost just €10. We stayed on the train through Arriondas, where the race starts, and followed the river twenty kilometers to its end in seaside Ribadesella. All along the route, we looked out the window at campsites and drunk, sunburnt party people. At the Arriondas stop, a group of hilariously hung-over teenagers boarded and all instantly, simultaneously fell asleep. Watching the increasingly frustrated ticket-checker try futiley to rouse them was great fun.

We managed to claim great spots along the riverbed to watch end of the race. The athletes, mostly muscle-bound Spaniards, rowed swiftly past the finish line and it was all over far too quickly. But the race is really just an excuse for the week-long party that grips the region. Music, festival rides, food stands and above all, alcohol. Cider, beer, vomit, whiskey, dancing, vodka, public urination, followed by more vodka and vomit. The Descenso del Sella simply must be the coolest canoe race in the world.

Location on our Asturias Travel Map

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I have terrible balance and not sure I could do maneuver a kayak.

This looks like quite an adventure and seems as though everyone there had an enjoyable time.

It's a huge drinking event. Kids camp out there to hangout and drink. Some of them don't even see one race .. kids these days.. haha!

lol- yeah... now you probably sound like your dad back in the day... kids these days

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