VII Travesia a Nado Isla Colombina

The Travesía Isla Colombina takes place annually in the coastal waters of Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera, offering distances of 200m for younger participants, as well as 3,300m and 5,500m courses for open water swimmers. Held in early August, the event utilizes the Atlantic waters surrounding the island, where the maritime climate typically demands consistency and navigation skills. The logistics of the race, organized by the Copa Canaria FCN, involve support vessels and safety protocols necessary for navigating these open ocean stretches.

Historical currents and landmarks

As you swim along the coast, you are crossing the same maritime path taken by Christopher Columbus in 1492; the port of San Sebastián was his final stop to resupply before his first voyage to the Americas. The coastline you navigate is dominated by the Torre del Conde, a medieval fortress constructed between 1447 and 1450. It served as a refuge for the colonial elite during the 1488 Rebellion of the Gomeros, a pivotal uprising that redefined the island's history. Further along the approach, you will sight the San Cristóbal Lighthouse, a 15-meter cylindrical structure standing on the rocky headland of Punta de San Cristóbal since 1978. These coastal waters are also characterized by the rugged cliffs of the Majona Natural Park, where you may spot avian life such as the osprey or Cory's shearwater above the water line. The history of these waters includes defensive struggles, such as the 1743 attempt by English admiral Charles Windham to invade the port, a victory now commemorated in the local Iglesia de la Asunción.