The International Sella River Descent (Spanish: Descenso Internacional del Sella, popularly known as Fiesta de las Piraguas) is a 20 km (12 mi) canoeing and kayaking race that has been held since 1930[a] on the Saturday following 2 August along the Sella River between Arriondas and Ribadesella (Asturias), Spain.[1]
| International Sella River Descent Descenso Internacional del Sella | |
|---|---|
 Descent in 2008 | |
| Nickname | Fiesta de las Piraguas |
| Genre | Sport |
| Date(s) | Saturday following 2 August |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Arriondas-Ribadesella, Spain |
| Inaugurated | 1930 |
| Fiesta of International Tourist Interest | |
| Designated | 1980 |
Organized by the Comité Organizador del Descenso Internacional del Sella (CODIS) on behalf of the Real Federación Española de Piragüismo, it holds the honorary distinction of Fiesta of International Tourist Interest since 1980.[2] In the 2023 edition, more than 1,100 paddlers and 800 boats from 18 countries participated in the competition, which attracted over 250,000 spectators.[3]
For the occasion, and since 1945, Renfe Feve makes a train available for the fans, named Tren fluvial or Tren de las piraguas, which, starting from Arriondas, runs parallel to the Sella River, with stops at different points to get off to take a closer look at the race.[4]
Notes
edit- ^ Except for 1936–1943 due to the Spanish Civil War and 2020–2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
References
edit- ^ "The International Descend of the river Sella". Turismo Ribadesella. 2 February 2022.
- ^ "RESOLUCION de la Secretaría de Estado de Turismo por la que se publica la relación de «Fiestas de Interés Turístico de España», clasificándolas en categorías de « Fiestas de interés Turístico Internacional», «Fiestas de Interés Turístico Nacional» y «Fiestas de Interés Turístico»" (PDF). Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish). 16 February 1980.
- ^ García, Cristian (4 August 2023). "Descenso del Sella: el decano del piragüismo que deja 10 millones de euros en Asturias". El Confidencial (in Spanish).
- ^ "Renfe pone a la venta los billetes para el Tren Fluvial en su 75 aniversario". Renfe (in Spanish). 14 July 2022.