Windsurfing Champions

Los Alcázares Welcomes Top Windsurfers

LOS Alcázares hosted the 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗮ñ𝗮 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗿 (Spain Windsurfing Championship) the weekend of April 5-6, featuring Olympic athletes and world champions. Alongside the championship, an Open Windsurfer competition took place, attracting over 80 participants from countries like Finland, France, Great Britain, Italy, and Japan.

The event saw windsurfers, their teams, families, fans, and spectators enjoy a sunny weekend, with sails filling the skies above the Mar Menor to create an impressive show.

This championship is part of the ‘Siente el Mar Menor’ (Feel the Mar Menor) programme, organised by the Murcia Sailing Federation in Los Alcázares. Get Ready for the Next ‘Siente el Mar Menor’ Event! The Funboard Spanish Championship is coming to Los Alcázares from April 25 to 27. Don’t miss the action.

Events like the ‘Siente el Mar Menor’ championships are a big boost for Los Alcázares, helping local businesses and bringing in visitors. With people coming from all over the world, hotels, restaurants, and shops see more customers, which helps the local economy. The event also shows off the area’s beautiful coastline and great facilities, encouraging more people to visit in the future. It’s a fantastic way to make Los Alcázares known as a top spot for water sports and outdoor fun.

Support Network

A free event is being held to help local residents get practical advice and learn who to contact in an emergency. Organised by White Doves, the event will take place at Casa Club Camposol on Wednesday, April 30, at 12:00pm.

You will hear from well-known local charities, including MABS, Forget Me Not, the Royal British Legion Murcia Branch, Samaritans in Spain, and FAST. These groups can give you helpful information about what to do in an emergency and how they can support you. Whether you need advice about health problems, emotional support, or general help, this event will give you useful guidance.

The aim is to help you feel more prepared and know who to reach out to when you need help the most. There will also be a light buffet, so you can enjoy some refreshments while you learn and ask any questions you may have.

The event is free to attend, but you do need to register. To book your place, call Ian on 711 041 772 or email ian@whitedoves.es.

Don’t miss this chance to get clear advice and meet the local groups that are here to help.

Hiring Up

UNEMPLOYMENT in Cartagena continued to fall in March, with numbers improving slightly ahead of the seasonal hiring expected for Easter. By the end of the month, 13,167 people were registered as unemployed, 66 fewer than in February. That’s a 0.5 per cent drop, a bit better than the regional average for Murcia and in line with the national trend.

Looking at the year as a whole, Cartagena has 462 fewer unemployed people compared to March last year, a 3.4 per cent decrease. Local employment councillor Álvaro Valdés pointed out that this is a promising sign, especially since last year’s Easter hiring wave took place in March, while this year’s data doesn’t yet reflect Easter job gains.

The services sector saw the biggest improvement, with unemployment down by 1 per cent, followed by construction, which recorded a 2.3 per cent drop. Agriculture also improved, with a 1.4 per cent fall.

Job stability remains strong, with 4,090 contracts signed in March, almost half of them permanent positions. Social Security registrations also increased, with nearly 79,000 people now enrolled, and the number of self-employed workers rose to over 11,100.

Triathlon Champions

THE XV Triatlón Sprint Marina de las Salinas took place in the stunning setting of La Llana beach, the Mediterranean marinas, and the Salinas y Arenales Regional Park, in San Pedro del Pinatar, drawing over 270 competitors from across the Murcia region and beyond. The event kicked off with a 750-metre swim in La Llana beach. Next came a 20-kilometre bike ride through the park and Avenida del Puerto, before finishing with a 5-kilometre run that passed by both marinas: Dársena Marina de las Salinas and Puerto Deportivo Villa de San Pedro.

Organised by the 30 7 40 Sports Club and supported by the Department of Sports, this event also marked the beginning of the Regional Triathlon League by the Federation of Triathlon of the Region of Murcia.

Bartomeu Crespi was the first to cross the finish line in 54 minutes and 58 seconds, followed by Bienvenido Ballester (55:34) and Alejandro López (55:56). In the women’s category, Inés Fernández took the win with a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 56 seconds, ahead of Laura Durán (1:05:19) and Victoria Castiñeiras (1:06:29).

Alongside local athletes, participants from other regions like Andalucía, Comunidad Valenciana, Castilla La Mancha, Madrid, and La Rioja joined the race.

Nature Awards

SAN PEDRO DEL PINATAR has been awarded Blue Trails recognition for three of its scenic routes, a prestigious environmental and sustainability honour from the Association for Environmental Education and Consumers (ADEAC). These awards highlight the town’s natural beauty and commitment to preserving its landscapes.

The ‘Senda de los Tarays’ is a 3.2-kilometre route that starts at the Las Salinas Visitor Centre and follows the canal surrounding the salt flats, ending at the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known for its tamarisk trees and reeds, both of which thrive in the salty environment.

The ‘Caminando entre Molinos Salineros’ trail offers a mix of nature and history. It passes by two early 20th-century salt mills that once helped transfer water from the Mar Menor to the salt ponds.

The ‘De lo Urbano a lo Natural’ route begins at the Lo Pagán seafront promenade, follows the Mar Menor coastline, and heads towards the Quintín Mill and the Puerto Avenue, reaching the Flamingo Roundabout near the Regional Park.

The awards were presented by Carmen Conesa, Minister of Tourism, to Javier Castejón, the town’s Environment Councillor. This recognition not only celebrates the area’s stunning landscapes but also boosts its appeal to both locals and visitors throughout the year.

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Housing prices in Cartagena are still going up, mainly because there aren’t enough new homes being built.

Some builders are hesitant to start projects, worried that archaeological finds could stop construction. As a result, prices have risen by 12.4 per cent over the past year, now averaging €1,338 per square metre, according to Idealista.

Rising costs in Cartagena’s historic centre

The most expensive area in the city is the historic centre, where prices hit a record high in February after jumping 21.9 per cent to €2,107 per square metre. The charm of Cartagena’s old town, with its pretty streets and rich cultural history, continues to attract buyers, driving prices to unprecedented levels.

Expensive areas in Alameda and Cabo de Palos

Alameda is also costly, with prices increasing by 13.4 per cent to €1,679 per square metre. This area, known for its atmosphere and convenient access to local amenities, has become increasingly desirable among buyers.

Cabo de Palos is the priciest part of the municipality. Property prices there have risen by 39.6 per cent in a year, now reaching €4,480 per square metre. The fishing village has become even more desirable over time, and with so few homes for sale, prices remain high. The area’s stunning coastline and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea have turned it into a sought-after destination for both holidaymakers and investors.

Price increase in Playa Honda

Nearby Playa Honda has also seen an increase, now at €2,193 per square metre. This area is also becoming a hot spot for potential homeowners due to its scenery and relaxed pace of life. As demand continues to rise in these coastal areas, prices show no signs of dropping.

The struggles of homebuyers in Murcia and Spain

For many families, buying a home is getting harder. In Murcia, it takes an average of 16 years of savings to afford a deposit. Across Spain, this rises to 24 years. With rising costs and limited savings, many people are forced to rent, even though renting is often more expensive than paying a mortgage. The situation is growing more difficult as the price of property continues to climb, leaving many people wondering if homeownership will remain an achievable goal in the future.

As prices soar, many residents are calling for more affordable housing options to be built in the region. There is growing pressure on local authorities to find solutions that balance the region’s historical preservation with the need for more modern developments.

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