Our city is a gastronomic and cultural destination, recognized for its parties, the leisure offer for all tastes and ages and of course for being a sun and beach destination. But, in addition, there is a reality to which we must pay more attention, and that is that Dénia and the Comarca de La Marina are an extraordinary destination for elite athletes.
For some time now it is easy to see international cycling teams making the preseason on our roads, and also athletes from various disciplines who go more unnoticed. Something that we must take into account both for the economic return and for the patina of sports education that can influence local society.
But ... and the sea? Is there a sea outside the month and a half of summer vacations? Yes. And Dénia is a preferred destination for many nautical athletes who see in our city the ideal spot for the practice of multiple disciplines throughout the year (in January too).
We all know the rowing teams of Marina de Denia, the Nautical or the Portet, but there are also surfski teams, OC1, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) and, not long ago, several fans of SUP Foil, a variant discipline of traditional SUP where you navigate by cutting the water, on a small board that, with the impulse of the oar, the wind and the waves, allows us to fly (literally) over the sea. And precisely, one of the pioneers in Spain and local rider, Sebastián Ducos Sendra, can guide us a little more about SUP Foil
QUESTION. Sebastian, you are 17 years old. How long have you been linked to water sports?
ANSWER. I started kitesurfing with my father at age 8 and I liked the sea so much that I started practicing other sports such as surfing, SUP. The important thing for me is to be as long as possible in the water. I love! Last year I discovered surf foil and SUP foil, and the feeling of "flying" above the water is magical!
Q. What does Dénia have that makes it such a precious destination?
R. Well first of all its climate, with a good wetsuit you can practice water sports all year. And then there are very good winds, in summer the famous Garbí and Llebeig. In addition, in winter we have very strong winds like the west that for this discipline is perfect.
Q. Do you think that people in Dénia take advantage of the possibilities offered by our beaches also out of season?
R. Well, honestly not. There is very little hobby, people do not value what they have and when September arrives they forget about the beach and the sea. It is a pity.
Q. Tell us about SUP Foil. What feelings do you bring? Is it really like flying over the sea? Is there already a national league or something similar?
R. I love surfing and I practice it whenever conditions permit, but with a foil you can surf with less waves or simply with the wind. It is magical because in addition there is practically no friction with the water. It is silent. It's only you and the sea.
It is a very new discipline. The first Spanish championship in Alicante was organized a few months ago, but the conditions accompanied. For next year, EUROTOUR, one of the most important events worldwide, incorporates 5 SUP FOIL Downwind events, so championships are already beginning to be seen.
Q. We have been told that you have stayed with other friends to make a pretty powerful downwind, Denia2Denia .8Miles. Tell us a little about who you are, what it is and when you plan to do it.
R. In the last championship of Alicante we met several specialists of this modality and decided to look for a place with optimal conditions to make a good downwind. I said that in Dénia a very cool one could be made parallel to the beach about 13 kilometers from the Molinell River which is the end of the Marinas road to the Espigón Norte beach, so everyone signed up. Now we have to wait for the best conditions that have to be wind direction ONO / NO of more than 25 knots. Conditions that often enter Dénia frequently from October to March. So now we have to wait and watch the weather forecasts. It is an event with open dates and participants will be notified one week in advance. It is not an official event at all, it is a hangout among friends, eager to have fun!
See you on the water!
