KAYAKING ROUND THE MALGRATS, A SUMMER AFFAIR ON MAJORCA

SANTA PONSA
THE beach at Santa Ponsa became a blaze of colour and activity on Sunday morning when contestants in the 16th “round the Malgrats” kayaking competition took to the water.

The competition is proving increasingly popular and has become one of the landmark sporting events of the summer season on the island.
The first kayakers arrived very early, keen to get into the water and get ahead. At the time when competitors were under starters orders, 120 people were ready with paddle in hand. Organisers confirmed yesterday that the list of people entering their names to participate in the kayak race around what are essentially two small rocky outcrops off the Calvia coastline, gets longer every year. And it would seem there are few barriers ... either to age, contestants on Sunday ranged from 16 to 40 ....or to nationality, foreigners were competing alongside locals.

For those who were already feeling the thirst and the need for a little extra energy in a hot although cloudy morning, boxes of fruit were set out by organisers. Once the eight-kilometre course was completed, all competitors received a diploma and a medal and of course there were trophies for the kayaking champions.

A sporting atmosphere prevailed throughout the event and there were no incidents to report.
Winners were José A. Escobar, Ricardo Gonzalez, Sergio Hernaiz and Vicente Casanovas.