Travesía Torrenueva

In the 19th century, waves of Catalan fishermen and merchants arrived in Castell de Ferro, permanently altering the social fabric of the coastline. This migration left a lasting imprint on the local dialect and geography, most notably with the 'Calle de los Catalanes' still standing as a testament to their influence. Today, the water at Cannon Beach serves as the stage for the VIII Travesía Torrenueva Costa, where swimmers trace paths once guarded against the persistent threat of Barbary pirates. The coastal defenses built to counter these incursions, such as the Torre del Zambullón, remain silent sentinels overlooking the race route.

The view from the water

As you navigate the 1500-meter course, the skyline is dominated by the stark silhouette of the Moorish castle ruins, a structure of Nazari origin perched high above the rambla. This vantage point connects the modern athlete to the ancient strategic importance of the bay, once charted by the 12th-century geographer al-Idrisi as 'Marsa al-Firruy'. The swim is a sensory experience defined by this rugged landscape, and for those looking to expand their season, the Castell de Ferro race provides a challenging July precursor, while the Travesía Polopos follows just one week later in September. Swimmers often sight the Torre de la Rijana, a Roman-era watchtower on a rocky promontory, which serves as a navigational landmark during the event. While the summer calendar here is rich with traditions like the maritime procession of the Virgen del Carmen and the midnight ritual of the Hogueras de San Juan, the race on September 13th remains a focused test of endurance in these historical waters.

Race logistics

Organized by the Ayuntamiento de Torrenueva Costa and MC Enduro Sur, the event simplifies the athlete's experience by centralizing the collection of chips and caps at the finish area. The course is designed for a single 1500-meter distance, ensuring a direct challenge. Post-race, the organizers provide a traditional refreshment spread featuring local melons and watermelon to aid recovery. Navigation is intuitive, with specific access routes provided for both the start and finish lines to manage the flow of participants and spectators effectively.