III Travesía María de Valdés — Fuengirola

Born in the coastal warmth of Fuengirola in 1998, María de Valdés spent her formative years training in the very waters that now host this namesake competition. Her rapid ascent to the global stage, culminating in a silver medal at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships and a berth in the Paris Olympics, has turned these coastal stretches into a focal point for the regional swimming community. The III Travesía María de Valdés, scheduled for August 29, 2026, serves as a direct tribute to this local trajectory, inviting participants to navigate the same Mediterranean horizon that shaped her early career. Swimmers looking to maintain their rhythm during the late-August calendar often combine this event with the nearby XXVI Travesía Bajondillo-Carihuela, held on the same day just a short distance up the coast.

The coastal backdrop

The 3,850-meter long-distance course offers more than a physical challenge; it is a passage through maritime history. As you glide along the coastline, the 10th-century Sohail Castle stands as a silent spectator, its stone structure perched 38 meters above the river mouth. Beyond the fortress, the route transitions toward the rocky outcrops of Punta de Calaburras. Beneath the surface here lies the 'Pecio de las Columnas', a 1st-century BC shipwreck site where Roman and Punic amphorae remain partially embedded in the seabed. Navigating this area requires respect for the geography; the rocky formations feature vertical marks carved directly into the stone, which archaeologists identify as historical scars left by the keels of ancient vessels that miscalculated the shallow, treacherous approach.

Guiding modern mariners and swimmers alike, the Punta de Calaburras lighthouse stands 29 meters tall, its rhythmic flash every five seconds acting as a persistent metronome for the long-distance event. The event provides timing chips for all participants, ensuring that whether you are tackling the 300-meter introductory distance or the full 3,850-meter course, every stroke is accounted for. Entry fees range from 10 to 55 EUR, a structure that reflects the extensive logistical support required to manage the safety vessel fleet and the precise marking of the maritime traffic lanes throughout the morning. The water conditions in late August typically remain stable, offering a mediterranean environment that rewards consistent pacing and an appreciation for the history resting just beneath your pull.