This Saturday, September 19, the thirtieth edition of the "El Río" Swimming Crossing was celebrated, which connects Bajo Risco beach in the municipality of Haría with Caleta de Sebo beach, in La Graciosa.
The winners of this edition, marked by the celebration of the third decade of the crossing, were Natalia Sasu and Herminio Fernández, followed on the podium by María Wood and Lily Gopar in the female category; Álvaro Cabrera and Diego Vázquez in the male category.
The Minister of Physical Activity and Sports, Juan Monzón, was accompanied during the start and the awards ceremony by the island councilor Domingo Cejas; the president of the Lanzarote and La Graciosa Security and Emergency Consortium, Francisco J. Aparicio; and the councilors of the Teguise City Council, Andoni Machín and Myriam Jorge.
“It has been an incredible day, full of emotion for being the thirtieth of one of the most important crossings on the regional and even national calendar,” assured Monzón, who also highlighted and congratulated the workers of the Insular Sports Service, the staff of the Security and Emergency Consortium and its councilor Francisco J. Aparicio, volunteers, and members of Emerlan for “having worked together to make this edition possible once again”.
In this regard, Monzón placed special emphasis on the main novelty of this edition: the China Crossing. “The youngest children of Lanzarote and La Graciosa have been able to enjoy what the 'El Río' Crossing is like, and it is essential that children know about it so that when they grow up they will also be participants in this event,” clarified Monzón, and announced that the XXXI edition will be on October 9, 2027.
Special Awards
During the ceremony, the island corporation awarded special distinctions to the promoting entities that laid the foundations for the competition, which is now celebrating 30 years.
In this regard, Real Club Victoria was recognized as the first organizing entity of the crossing in September 1993, as well as Francisco Bello García, director of the event from 1993 to 2018, whose award was collected posthumously by his son.
Likewise, the work of Margarona Páez Guadalupe, former district mayor of La Graciosa, was highlighted for her dedication and the facilities provided at the beginning of the event.
The institutional framework also included explicit recognition of the Teguise City Council for its uninterrupted support during the 30 editions of the event, as well as various municipal workers and representatives who collaborated closely with the organization from its beginnings. Among them, former councilwoman Alicia María Páez Guadalupe, Municipal Police officer Simeón Fernando Páez Betancort, and Public Works technicians Pedro Manuel Páez Betancort, José Simeón Páez Páez, and Siquem Rodríguez García de Albéniz were distinguished.
The family business Líneas Romero was also awarded for its direct involvement from the first edition in the logistics and embarkation of swimmers to El Risco beach, as well as the Fishermen's Guild of La Graciosa and the Virgen del Mar Parish for their permanent support to athletes.
In the private sector, the continued commitment of Ahembo (formerly Embotelladora de Canarias) was recognized, and a posthumous distinction was presented to Armando Montero Villalba, which was collected by his son.
In the area of marine logistics, safety, and emergencies, the island institution applauded the fundamental work carried out by Puertos Canarios and by Juan Pedro Hernández Batista, port official of Caleta de Sebo. Likewise, cooperation was awarded from the Directorate General of Coasts and Management of the Canary Maritime Space, the Maritime Captaincy of Las Palmas, the Insular Directorate of the General Administration of the State in Lanzarote, the different specialties of the Guardia Civil, the Haría City Council, the Lanzarote Cabildo's Security and Emergencies Consortium, and the NGO Emerlan for the extensive preventive deployment guaranteed at sea.
The Marlines Club, fundamental in supporting with kayaks during the route, and the 802 squadron of the Air and Space Force wing were also distinguished.
The award ceremony concluded with a special ovation dedicated to all the athletes who have given life to the event throughout its history, personified in the figure of swimmer Ricardo Armas Orihuela, who at 89 years of age once again swam across the stretch of sea between the two islands, embodying the values of overcoming and the spirit of the 'El Río' Swimming Crossing.
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