Descenso del Sella | Guide to the great kayaking festival

The International Descent of the Sella, popularly known as the Fiesta de las Piraguas or Les piragües, is held in Asturias, and has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest. It is one of the most famous canoeing competitions in the world. The start of the canoe race takes place in Arriondas and the finish line - after 20 kilometres on the river - is in Ribadesella.

Every year it brings together more than a thousand boats and more than a thousand paddlers from more than 20 countries, in an event that combines sport and festivities, making the east of Asturias the epicentre of the Asturian summer.

It is held on the first Saturday in August, provided that it does not coincide with the 1st or 2nd. The main event is the canoeing competition, but the celebration extends over the whole weekend.

• Place: The route runs from Arriondas/Les Arriondes (start) to Ribadesella/Ribeseya (finish), following the course of the river Sella.
• Start time: At 12:00 noon, after the reading of the Pregón and the singing of Asturias Patria Querida, the traditional cannon shot sounds and the competition light turns green, marking the official start of the descent.

If there is something different about the descent of the Sella, it is that participation is universal and popular. On the same day of the celebration, there is room for both professional canoeists and tourists, who leave once the competition has finished. Therefore, there are two types of participants: the official ones and the tourists or general public.

To participate in the official competition it is necessary:

• To be federated in canoeing.
• To have a valid licence.
• Register through the official website of the Organising Committee: www.descensodelsella.com(opens in a new tab).

Participants compete in different categories (K1, K2, C1, C2, mixed, etc.).

One of the most authentic ways to experience the Descent of the Sella and put yourself in the shoes of the competitors is to navigate the same route, but in a quieter way, enjoying life and the beauty of the surroundings in"slow" mode. It is the tourist descent, as famous as the competition itself.

Non-federation members can enjoy the tourist-recreational descent:

• There are active tourism companies that rent canoes and offer guided packages to do the river tour, after the official sporting competition.
• No previous experience is required, and it is a safe and fun way to experience the event from the water.

The Descent of the Sella is an authentic river pilgrimage. From early morning, the streets of Arriondas/Les Arriondes and Ribadesella/Ribeseya are filled with music, bagpipes, charangas, peñas with colourful T-shirts and endless joy, as well as with the celebration of a fun folkloric parade that takes place before the opening speech and the start of the race in Arriondas/Les Arriondes.

Other elements of animation are:

• The River Train, which accompanies the canoeists on land, with music, festivities and stops.
• Concerts and open-air dances enliven the weekend evenings.

One of the advantages of this celebration is that road access to this area of eastern Asturias is good, whether by car, bus or train. On the other hand, the accommodation network is extensive, varied and of high quality.

Getting to the east of Asturias is very easy. Both Arriondas/Les Arriondes and Ribadesella/Ribeseya have excellent road links, and are connected to other areas by public transport, both bus and train.

• By car: Via the A-8 motorway, exit Arriondas/Les Arriondes or Ribadesella/Ribeseya.
• By train: RENFE (Oviedo/Uviéu-Santander line) operates special services with stops in both municipalities.
• By bus: Reinforced services from Gijón/Xixón, Oviedo/Uviéu, Avilés, Llanes and other Asturian towns.

There is a wide and excellent network of accommodation in the whole of the eastern region of Asturias, with a choice of different types of accommodation: hotels, village houses, flats, campsites, etc. In addition, the town councils of Parres and Ribadesella have free camping areas for holidays.

• It is advisable to plan in advance when booking accommodation.
• There are regulated free camping areas and areas prepared for vans and campervans.

To get the most out of both the festival and the sporting event, and therefore your stay in this part of Asturias, these practical tips will come in handy.

• Book accommodation and transportin advance.
• If you are going to do the recreational descent, take comfortable clothes, water shoes and sun protection.
• Take cash (there is a high demand for cash machines and cash payments).
• If you are doing the tourist descent, follow the river safety rules and respect the natural environment.
• If you are taking part as a spectator, choose good points along the route such as Torañu, Lloviu or the finish line in Ribadesella/Ribeseya.

The Descent of the Sella or Fiesta de las Piraguas is one of the oldest and most traditional sporting events in the still water modality. For this reason it treasures many anecdotes and has a curious and fascinating history. Here are a few facts.

• The first descent took place in 1929, organised by Dionisio de la Huerta.
• The official event began to be held in 1930.
• The first paddlers from outside the community arrived in 1935.
• The Descent of the Sella became international in 1951, with the registration of foreign competitors.
• Thousands of paddlers from all over the world take part every year.
• It is one of the most important events in the international canoeing calendar.
• The event is part of Asturian culture.

Is it possible to do the descent without previous experience?
Yes, tourist companies offer safe and guided descents.

Is there an age limit for recreational rafting?
Normally, the minimum age is 5 or 6 years old, depending on the company and river conditions.

How long does the tour last?
The complete tour lasts between 3 and 4 hours, although shorter sections are possible.

Is alcohol allowed?
It is not allowed during the river descent. Responsibility is recommended.

Is it possible to go down the river with pets?
Yes, and if your pet likes water it can be a fun plan in the middle of nature.

Consult the interactive map to find your way around Arriondas/Les Arriondes and Ribadesella/Ribeseya; organise your visit with practical information and points of interest to make it easy to enjoy; and dive into the multimedia gallery with images and videos that show the festive atmosphere and the charm of the event.

To enjoy the Descent of the Sella and all the surroundings you can enjoy in this area, we recommend this post about Ribadesella, as well as interesting information about the council of Parres.