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.

A woman renting an apartment in Palma went to the police to report that the woman who was sub-renting her spare room owed her €400, and in doing so mistakingly told her own landlords what she’d been doing without their permission. A Palma court has now backed them, which raises a question plenty of renters in Spain will be asking.

A routine police complaint gave her landlords the proof 

A tenant in Palma reported the woman she’d let a room to after she failed to pay her last month’s rent of €400, but that complaint to the National Police is how the flat’s owners found out someone else was living there.

The owners rented her the flat for €720 a month, and the contract expressly banned subletting. They went to court and the lease was ended, with the Provincial Court now upholding that decision and confirming she has to leave.

Her own police statement formed part of the evidence, alongside a Facebook advert offering the room and messages in which the owners made clear they hadn’t agreed to a sublet or to anyone else coming into the home.

Her argument that it was unfair didn’t work

The tenant argued that ending her lease was unfair and out of proportion, asking what would happen if a partner moved in with her, or a relative stayed for a while. The court wasn’t convinced, saying that if it accepted that reasoning, anyone could point to a situation like that to disguise a sublet and get round the ban in both the contract and the law.

It added that it makes no difference whether the other person is there for free or pays rent, though here it accepted that payment had been made.

What Spain’s rental law says about letting a room

Under Spain’s rental law, tenants can only sublet part of their home, never the whole thing, and only with the landlord’s written permission given beforehand. The rent charged for the sublet also can’t be more than the tenant pays under their own lease. If a tenant sublets without that permission, the landlord can ask for the contract to be terminated, which is exactly what happened here. So this isn’t a new restriction, just an existing rule being enforced.

It doesn’t mean having a partner, relative or friend to stay is grounds for eviction either. This case involved a paying room-renter in a flat where the contract banned it, and nothing reported suggests overnight guests were the issue. However, if someone is moving in rather than visiting, it’s worth checking what your contract says first.

What to do before letting out a spare room

So if you’re thinking of renting a room to help cover your rent, ask your landlord for consent in writing first, rather than working on the assumption that ‘I’m paying the rent, so it’s my call who lives here’. Keep a copy of the reply, and if the answer is no, don’t go ahead with it.

If you have ever fancied hearing those a famous words on a stage “he’s behind you!” from the audience, your moment has arrived. Fuengirola’s famous English-speaking theatre is casting its Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington and it could be you.

What roles are up for grabs and when

Hopefuls can go along on Saturday, October 17 from 6pm to 9pm, or on Sunday, October 18 from 10am to 2pm. Both sessions take place at the Salon Varietes Theatre just off the main square.

There is something for nearly everyone. Leading parts include the naive young adventurer Dick Whittington, the pretty and knowing Alice Fitzwarren and the wicked King Rat. Comedy fans will love Sarah the Cook, the larger-than-life Dame, who comes with big personality and plenty of audience interaction.

Other characters include:

– Fairy Bow Bells, a Cockney fairy who slips in cheeky innuendos while pretending not to notice
– Alderman Fitzwarren, the very hesitant owner of Fitzwarren’s Store
– Captain Bilge of the *Saucy Sal*
– The Sultan of Morocco
– Malcolm the Rat, a young trainee rat new to being evil
– Tommy the Cat, who needs no further explanation

Teenage dancers are wanted for the ensemble. Children aged seven and over can play the Panto Babes (the rats), although these parts may also go to the chorus or dancers.

What you need to prepare and when you need to be available to perform

Singers should bring a song, and dancers should come ready with a routine. Nerves are normal, and this is a friendly community production, so nobody will bite (except perhaps King Rat). Performances run from Saturday, December 19 to Wednesday, December 23. After a short break for Christmas, the pantomime returns Friday, January 2 to Monday, January 5.

Director Keith Spitalnick has led the theatre’s pantomimes for several years, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 2024 and Jack and the Beanstalk last winter. For more information, call or WhatsApp him on +34 674 121 569.

If you prefer to work behind the scenes and help make the magic happen, the theatre are also always on the look out for stage hands. Message directly via Facebook to see what is on offer.

So if you want to add an bit of sparkle to the Christmas stage then warm up to vocal chords and pop on your jazz shoes and give it a go. Actors, singers and dancers of all ages are welcome.