XXVII Travesía a nado de la ría y XVII Descenso a nado del Sella

Long before the modern swimmers gathered at the Rampa de la Barca, the waters of this estuary were held by the Salaeni, a people who commanded the river routes and coastal territories between Colunga and Llanes. Their influence over these banks defined the region long before the town became a strategic port. Today, as you prepare for the 1km swim starting at 15:00, you are crossing a landscape that once saw the departure of explorers like Juan del Junco, a local son who crossed the Atlantic to help establish Bogotá in the 16th century. His legacy remains etched in the stone of the regional churches, a silent witness to the history that flows through this estuary toward the Cantabrian Sea.

The estuary environment

The current of the Sella river shapes the technical demands of your swim. Unlike open ocean racing, the rhythm here is dictated by the interaction between the river flow and the tidal cycle of the estuary. The water temperature is influenced by the surrounding protected landscape of the Costa Oriental de Asturias, a coastal stretch that maintains high environmental standards. As you sight your path, you may see the silhouette of the town against the backdrop of the Picos de Europa, an area where the maritime tradition is still honored through the veneration of Nuestra Señora de Guía, the patron saint of the local fishermen who navigate these same waters daily.

Race day logistics

Organized by the Club Natación Ciudad de Gijón, the XXVII Travesía a Nado de la Ría is a fixed annual appointment held on July 26. The 1km distance is designed as a direct navigation through the heart of the estuary. While the nearby Santa Marina beach is famous for its traditional horse races during Easter, the estuary itself demands focus on the technical line between the river banks. There are no specific wetsuit mandates provided by the organizers, but the regional water conditions typically align with standard open water swimming practices for the Cantabrian coast in late July. The event concludes at the Podium de los Vencedores del Sella, a location synonymous with the historical endurance challenges of the region.