The National Sprint and Sea Kayak Championships set the course for competitive canoeing

Canoeing kicks off Holy Week with two major national events: the first Spanish Cup of Olympic Sprint and the 2nd Spanish Cup of Sea Kayak.

This weekend, over 600 paddlers from across Spain gathered in Seville to compete in the National Olympic Sprint Trials in the Senior, U23, and Junior categories, including athletes from Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx, Real Club Náutico de Palma, Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença, Club Nàutic Sant Antoni, and Club Marítimo de Mahón.

It was a tough two-day event for all competitors, with spots on the national team at stake. The selected team will travel to Szeged in mid-May to compete in the first World Cup of the discipline.

In addition to the K1, C1, K2, and C2 events over 500 and 1000 meters for both men and women, the K4 and C4 races in mixed boats were also held. Notably, four events in this Cup were trials for the national Sprint team: Men’s K1 500, Men’s and Women’s C1 500, and Women’s K1 1000.

In the men's category, Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença paddler Joan Antoni Moreno claimed victory in a final full of top athletes. The Olympic bronze medalist in Paris (in the C2 500 with Diego Domínguez) clocked 40.49 to narrowly beat Pablo Graña (Náutico Rodeira de Cangas), who finished in 40.63.

The Sea Kayak competition was held in Vigo, hosting the 2nd Spanish Cup and drawing nearly 500 paddlers, including competitors from Club de Mar, Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx, Real Club Náutico de Palma, and Club Nàutic Ciutadella. The event included male and female categories ranging from Infantil and Cadete (A and B), to Junior, U23, Senior, and Veterans. Races were held in SS1, SS2, and OC1, traditional K1, mixed inclusive SS2, and PK3.

The unofficial medal tally was topped by Club Amigos del Piragüismo de Canarias with 8 golds, 5 silvers, and 7 bronzes — a total of 20 medals — followed by Club de Mar de Mallorca with 5 golds, 7 silvers, and 3 bronzes, totaling 15 medals.