Los Alcazares welcomed around 180 watersports athletes from several countries as the 27th edition of Surfari Mar Menor brought three days of windsurfing and sailing action to the Costa Calida over the weekend of October 9 to 11.

Surfari Mar Menor welcomes national and international athletes

The annual competition attracted national and international participants from Spain, Portugal, Finland and the Dominican Republic, turning the Mar Menor into an international showcase for watersports. This year’s edition also introduced a new venue and additional varieties of sports.

New venue brings races closer to spectators

For the first time, Surfari Mar Menor took place at Playa Náutica de Las Salinas, a recently inaugurated watersports area in Los Alcazares. The new location brought competitors, organisers and spectators together in one setting, with dedicated spaces for equipment preparation, race information and the presentation of trophies.

The venue also allowed races to take place close to the shoreline, giving residents and visitors a better view of the colourful sails crossing the lagoon. Organisers hoped this would make the competition more accessible to people who wanted to watch the action without taking part themselves.

Windsurfing, wingfoiling and Formula Kite take centre stage

Windsurfing remained the central focus of the event, but this year’s programme expanded to include wingfoiling, a wind-powered sport where you stand on a hydrofoil board while holding a wing to glide above the water, and Formula Kite, a high-speed Olympic sailing sport where athletes on hydrofoil boards are pulled by ram-air kites. The latter, which made its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games, also featured the Spanish Formula Kitesurf Cup.

These additional sports brought different ways of harnessing the wind to the competition, showcasing the range of watersports possible on Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon.

International competition boosts the Costa Calida’s watersports appeal

The event’s international participation further underlined the lagoon’s appeal as a destination for sailing and wind-powered sports. The Mar Menor’s relatively consistent sailing conditions are another major attraction, allowing participants to enjoy watersports while giving spectators a chance to watch the thrilling races from the shore.

The competition concluded on Sunday, October 11. Andalusian competitors secured seven podium finishes across five categories, while Canarian sailor Isidro Enríquez won the overall Windsurfer title by just one point.

With its new venue, expanded programme and international participation, the 27th Surfari Mar Menor re-established Los Alcazares’ reputation as a top destination for watersports, thrilling races, and an active supporting community on the Costa Calida.

A Roman association from San Pedro del Pinatar took part in a major parade in Lorca on Saturday, October 10, joining groups from across Spain for a celebration of the country’s historical heritage and traditions.

San Pedro del Pinatar joins national Roman parade

The Tercio Romano Hermenegildo Fresneda Pujol represented the coastal municipality at the grand parade of Roman groups, organised as part of the third National Congress of Roman Groups and Associations. The gathering brought together eight groups from different parts of Spain, highlighting the cultural significance of these organisations and their role in preserving historical traditions.

Eight groups celebrate Spain’s Roman traditions

The parade formed part of the wider gathering, which celebrates the history, cultural heritage and traditions represented by Roman associations throughout Spain. These groups play an important role in bringing historical periods to life through traditional costumes, public processions and participation in local cultural events.

Preserving historical heritage across generations

For San Pedro del Pinatar, the occasion was an opportunity to showcase its own Roman association alongside other organisations from different parts of Spain and strengthen connections between communities that share an interest in historical reenactment and cultural preservation.

The participation also highlighted the importance of maintaining traditions that are passed down through generations and continue to form part of Spain’s cultural identity.

Local representatives support cultural connection

The participation of eight Roman groups from different parts of Spain demonstrated the widespread interest in historical associations and their contribution to cultural life. Through their public appearances and participation in national gatherings, these organisations help keep historical traditions alive while encouraging communities to learn more about their heritage.

For San Pedro del Pinatar, the parade offered another opportunity to represent the charm and history of the municipality outside of its local boundaries, as well as celebrate the people who dedicate their time to preserving its cultural traditions.

The event also reinforced the value of cooperation between towns and associations in keeping Spain’s diverse historical customs alive for future generations to enjoy and practice.

Cartagena marked Spain’s Fiesta de la Hispanidad with five days of vibrant cultural activities, live performances and historical events, bringing together residents and visitors to celebrate the connections between Spain and the Americas.

Five days of cultural celebrations in Cartagena

Held from October 8 to 12, the programme featured more than 30 activities organised by Cartagena City Council and the Héroes de Cavite Cultural Association, with support from the Hispanotec network. The celebrations explored shared history, international relations, music and cultural traditions, all through fun events and activities for all ages.

Latin American music and traditional dance

The Plaza del Ayuntamiento was the centre of the festivities, hosting performances showcasing traditional music from across Latin America. Cuban and Peruvian music featured alongside traditional Ibero-American dances.

One of the programme’s musical highlights was a concert by the Musical Unit of the Tercio de Levante Marine Infantry, which formed part of the city’s wider celebrations for Spain’s National Day.

Bringing culture and tradition to the heart of the Costa Calida’s hub of history

The programme brought cultural performances into the centre of Cartagena, allowing locals and visitors to discover different traditions while enjoying the historic city centre.  History and international relations were also central to the event, with conferences and discussions examining Spain’s presence and influence in the Americas, Africa and the Mediterranean.

A particular highlight was the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and Spain’s contribution to American independence. Exhibitions and educational activities were a large part of the commemoration.

A historical treasure hunt closes the festivities

The festivities concluded on Monday, October 12 with a fun-filled historical treasure hunt around Cartagena, encouraging participants to discover more about the city’s past through an interactive activity. The programme was supported by several regional institutions, including the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, the Chamber of Commerce, the Port Authority and the Regional Assembly of Murcia.

Through its combination of music, dance, education and historical exploration, Cartagena’s Fiesta de la Hispanidad offered a vibrant programme celebrating cultural connections, history, and the threads that unite Spain with the Americas.