The Spaniards love to race. The whole week there has been a buzz all about the club and the members and I realised this morning what all the fuss was about. The Spanish Canoe Federation has a Seakayak/Ocean Paddling series of 5 races. Each race is hosted by a different club somewhere in Spain. Now I've realised that Spain is quite federalised so there is alot of local pride; and this gets passed right down to club level. The inter-club competition is a big deal. Last night all the clubs started arriving, each in their own buses towing massive trailers loaded with boats. Many paddlers had travelled 8 to 9 hours for a 15km series race. I'm sure I've mentioned somewhere that these guys are KEEN!!! This morning dawned and all you could see was various pockets of paddlers all in their decked out in their club kit, chests bulging. There was a really great vibe amongst the paddlers, but under the surface you could sense the rivalry. I felt like I was on the frontline and was actually somewhat relieved when Jono informed me that Club Nautic (my hosts) weren't allowed to use me to score points for them. I wasn't quite ready to be seen as an enemy after a week of good will. Today's race was certainly not a social one.

Very few international surfski/ocean races can rival the superb organisation of a South African race. In fact the only reason I say "very few" is because I actually thought there were none; that was until this morning. We could certainly learn some tricks from these guys. Their checking-in system is much like the boat pounds we use for our bigger canoe races (Fish and Dusi), so every paddler gets checked in and is made sure to have the necessary equipment. Then the start area is completely cordened off with fencing and different areas for Juniors and Seniors, singles and doubles. There are maps of the course all over the show and everyone knows what is going on before, during and after. There is 1 safety boat for every 10 competitors. Of course there was also all the usual logistics we are so used to in South Africa. One thing that they have seemed to figure out is how to make the start free and fair and also have only 1 take at it as opposed to the usual: "Get back", "2 mins to go!", "5 min penalty if you jump the start", "Numbers so-and-so get back, get back." I was very impressed with the civil start even though there was a serious competitive edge in the air.

The whole field starts at the same time form Junior short course right through to Veteran Doubles long course. This obviously makes for a spectacular and semi-chaotic start. The 15.6km course took us on a triangular route along the cliffs from La Vila Joyosa to Benidorm, out to sea for 1km and then downwind home. I had a brilliant start which kind of set me up for the rest of the race. Finishing downwind really helped and I completed the race a couple of minutes ahead of the next guy in 1:13. The field consisted of between 150 and 200 paddlers, many of them still using the modified flatwater/sea kayak hybrids, although it must be said that there were plenty of surfskis around. It seems to me that surfski should take off around the Med over the next year or so as it seems surfskis are being accepted as the ocean paddling craft of choice.

Post race was really good as the spanish enjoy the post race social as much as any paddling crowd around. The prize giving is quite a big deal and everyones is decked out in club colours. Everyone just about wins a medal and trophy, and they are all super pumped about it. Jniors, Masters, Vets, Hombre's, Mixed....all receive a thundering applause and awars are accepted with much accolade. My post race conversation had quite a bit dedicted to talking around the race they are doing here next year in April - the Euro Challenge 2009. THis race is going to be great by the sounds of things so start planning now.

ANyway, enjoythe pics and vids. Thats it frome Dawids spanish escapdes. Adious! Hasta la Vista.