Once more, Mazarron has taken centre stage on the international sporting stage after successfully hosting the Hydro-Fly World Championship at its marina during the end of September, drawing elite riders and large crowds over three action-packed days.

International riders take to the water in thrilling showcase of sports adrenaline

Held at the Puerto Deportivo from Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26, the competition united athletes from across the globe, including Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Poland, France and Spain. The waters of Mazarron provided the perfect setting for the thrilling, high-adrenaline sport, with spectators lining the marina throughout the weekend to catch a glimpse of the gravity-defying spectacle.

Finals draw biggest crowds of the weekend

The largest crowds gathered on Sunday, when the semi-finals and finals took place, delivering a thrilling finale to the championship. Riders soared above the water using hydro-powered jet systems, showcasing skill, balance and precision in front of an enthusiastic audience of locals and visitors.

Champions crowned across multiple categories

In the Pro men’s category, Jeff Gazzola, from France, was crowned world champion, pulling off an impressive performance against strong international competition. In second place was Robert Yaszczold, and in third place was Rodrigo Delgado, both of whom also featured among the top competitors in other categories.

Elsewhere, Viktor Kanevski claimed victory in the junior category, followed by Pepelu Leceta and Víctor García, while Sergei Filippov led the veterans’ podium ahead of Yaszczold and Delgado. In the women’s competition, Mirella Kalashnikova secured the gold, with Martyna Irene Szczygiel placing second and Elena Vera placing third.

Boosting Mazarron as an ultimate sports tourism destination

The event formed part of a wider programme that promotes Mazarron as a year-round destination for sports tourism. Exhibitions, shows and activities ran alongside the championship, helping to attract visitors outside the peak summer season. With strong international participation and a lively atmosphere throughout, the Hydro-Fly World Championship has further cemented Mazarron’s reputation as a host for major sporting events, and has shown that the town’s locals and visitors live and breathe thrilling competitions.

Laughter rang out across Miraflores Tennis Club in Mijas as La Cala Lions staged their fourth Memory Day for children living with cancer and other serious illness. Dedicated Lion Wynson Beswick once again pulled the day together, turning months of fundraising into an afternoon of games, water and family time that families say stays with them.

Wynson’s idea that gifts experience, not just presents

Wynson, a former club president and grandmother, first pushed for this format because toys get forgotten. “Can we give the children experiences? A memory of the day? That’s something that will stay with them forever,” she has said. Fellow Lions and friends answered her call again this year. Volunteers ran stalls, kept the barbecue going and made sure every child left with a gift voucher.

Fundación Olivares, AECC and ADIMI brought families they support. Andrés Olivares, who started the foundation after losing his son Luis to leukaemia, has called earlier editions “a marvellous thing” for families to share a beautiful day. Club members echoed that warmth. One Lion who helped last year wrote that it “really was a brilliant day for the children and their families.”

Pool, games and a barbecue built for special children

Kids piled onto an inflatable slide in the swimming pool, tried duck fishing and shuffleboard, painted bags and even had a go at the bodhrán. A magician worked the crowd while parents watched from the shade. More than a hundred people came last year; this fourth gathering kept that same busy, happy feel.

La Cala Lions have raised well over €1.5 million over the years for local causes, including earlier Memory Days and summer collections such as the Percy Pig bar crawl that went straight towards this fun day. Details and how to help are at lacalalions.org or on 607 879 450.

Wynson’s quiet persistence, and the Lions who back her, keep giving these children one carefree day they can carry home.

Periana will host its seventh Caminata con Esperanza charity walk on Sunday, October 4, for the Esperanza breast cancer association.

Starting at 10.50am, the event is organised by Periana Fitness and is open to people of all ages and abilities. Participants can walk or run at their own pace, supporting people affected by breast cancer, their families and loved ones in the Axarquia.

Event organisers had already recorded 643 registrations when it was presented last week, although anyone wanting to take part can still join on the day.

Music and a charity party

Once the walk finishes, Periana will keep the celebration going until the evening with a charity party featuring music, dancing, a raffle and a bar raising funds for the cause.

Local performers include the Caminos de Olivares choir, the San Isidro Panda de Verdiales, the Virgen del Carmen retirees’ association, dance groups led by Abraham Ortiz, DJ Jose Moreno, José Dance and performers providing a bachata show.

A group from the Peña Caballista will also lead the route, while businesses, volunteers and neighbouring municipalities including Alfarnatejo, Almáchar, El Borge and La Viñuela are supporting the day.

Supporting Esperanza

Association president María Ramos said the event is also intended to call for more resources for breast cancer research and greater support for people affected by the disease.

Esperanza, a non-profit organisation based in Velez-Malaga, provides psychological and social support, information, awareness activities and other services for people with cancer and their families. The association has also received funding to support cancer patients in rural Axarquia.

This year’s event artwork and T-shirt feature the Fuente or Pila de la Lomilleja, a local heritage site that has recently been restored. Designer Milagros Zamora said the choice was intended to give participants a small reminder of Periana to take home.

October 4 will be a chance to get active, meet neighbours too and support a local organisation locally helping people through cancer.