Date of publication 26/08/2019
SwimRun: the sports trend taking off in the Canary Islands
A closer look at swimrun, the sports trend thriving in the Canary Islands, and your wellbeing on vacation.
The excellent weather and distinctive geography of the Canary Islands have turned this fortunate archipelago into a testing ground for new sports trends. Windsurfing, surfing and paddleboarding have all found a permanent home on its beaches, while the slopes of dormant volcanoes provide a unique setting for mountaineering and other demanding outdoor disciplines, all supported by the islands’ favorable climate.
These natural advantages are complemented by excellent infrastructure for combining adrenaline with a holiday. Iberostar hotels in Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote offer virtually everything active travelers could wish for: fantastic seafront locations for water-sports enthusiasts, facilities where guests can warm up before a challenge and relax afterward, and Fit & Fun programs that make staying active an enjoyable part of the trip.
An exceptional climate, dramatic volcanic and lunar landscapes, impressive lava fields, legendary natural and cultural scenery, spectacular beaches and irresistible Canarian cuisine: all of these treasures and more are within reach when you stay at one of our hotels in the Canary Islands. With all these ingredients, it was only a matter of time before SwimRun reached the archipelago and developed its own local character.
The rise of SwimRun
Reinvent yourself or disappear. It is a phrase heard again and again in almost every area of life, yet some things seemed to remain fixed in an unchanging past. Sport, viewed from a broad perspective, was once one of those areas where “there was little new left to offer” — or so it seemed.
Over the past two decades, however, new trends have transformed leisure activities. Combined with the desire to discover new sensations, this has led to a broad and fascinating range of new sports, many of which combine several disciplines.
Gone are the days when a holiday hotel simply had to have a tennis court or perhaps an archery target. Leisure in the 21st century increasingly revolves around discovering new activities, many based on niche sports that combine adrenaline, physical effort and plenty of fun.
Snorkeling, sea kayaking, paddleboarding, canyoning, trekking, trail running and mountain biking are just some of the options that allow travelers to experience a destination from an entirely different perspective.
The Canary Islands are undoubtedly one of the best settings for this kind of activity. Their mild climate and abundant sunshine open up a huge range of possibilities for outdoor sports.
Around fifteen years ago in northern Europe, specifically in Sweden, a new sport emerged from the combination of two disciplines: cross-country running and swimming. At first glance, it might sound like a simple duathlon or a stripped-down triathlon without the cycling section. But SwimRun goes further. It breaks away from the conventional rules of these formats and becomes a kind of trail race in which participants, usually teams of two, must cover a route between two points that alternates between land and water sections. The first official race in this new discipline was held across islands in the Stockholm Archipelago.
Athletes do not have transition zones or changing areas. They enter and leave the water wearing the same equipment they use for the running sections and for the entire race. That is part of what makes SwimRun such a demanding challenge. With very little equipment, athletes must adapt continuously to two very different environments. Teamwork is essential. Partners must stay close to each other, often no more than ten meters apart in the water and around 100 meters on land. In many races, the two athletes are connected by a tether, and mutual support can become crucial when fatigue sets in.
A Canarian adventure
At the heart of this new sport is a strong sense of adventure combined with a love of nature and the personal challenge of covering a route in a very direct, almost elemental way. That is precisely why the Canary Islands provide such a suitable setting for SwimRun.
The steep terrain of the western islands and the power of the sea are ideal for experienced athletes, while the gentler gradients and calmer waters of the eastern islands can be better suited to longer-distance challenges. It is also important to note that the Canary Islands have an official network of marked hiking trails supervised by the relevant mountain federations. These routes are divided into three main categories. Long-distance trails are marked in white and red and identified by the initials GR; they are usually more than 50 kilometers long. Short-distance trails are marked in white and yellow and identified as PR, generally covering between 10 and 50 kilometers. Local trails are marked in white and green, identified as SL and are usually under 10 kilometers. Using this trail network is especially useful when planning a SwimRun route that includes intermediate swimming sections.
It is advisable to consult official maps and plan routes using information provided by the island councils. There is also a secondary network of unofficial trails, which may be signposted and maintained by local municipalities. As for the sea, the Canary Islands are renowned for their coastline, but safety is essential when practicing this sport. Weather forecasts and sea conditions should always be checked in advance. Particular caution is required in northern Tenerife and in southern Fuerteventura, where conditions can become demanding. Athletes should also assess their own open-water swimming ability carefully before planning long crossings. Tenerife is also home to several Iberostar hotels in Tenerife, making it easy to combine this emerging sport with a comfortable stay.
Where to practice SwimRun
A malpaís is an area covered by rough ʻaʻā lava flows. These landscapes have an almost desert-like appearance, with fields of jagged black volcanic rock covering the terrain. Visually, they offer a unique setting for travelers and athletes interested in nature.
Tenerife has several of these volcanic landscapes close to the coast. Two particularly interesting examples for adventure sports are Malpaís de Güímar, in the municipality of the same name, and Malpaís de Rasca, on the southern coast of the island. Malpaís de Güímar lies within a Special Nature Reserve. Although its trail is not part of the official certified network, it is clearly signposted. The circular route is around seven kilometers long, with additional swimming sections possible. Several beaches along the way provide convenient access points to the water. The sea in this area can be active, so currents require particular caution. Access to the trail is from the Puertito area, which makes logistics easier because vehicles can be reached within a few minutes. Another advantage of this area is its proximity to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, making it an excellent place to combine an active holiday with a city stay.
For travelers staying in the capital, the Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey provides a convenient base, not only because of its facilities but also because of its dining options and restorative Spa. The Malpaís de Rasca lies much farther south, in the municipality of Arona, right next to the beaches of Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas. The landscape is similar, although slightly more arid. The route is around 10.5 kilometers long, and approximately half of it follows the coast, making it easier to incorporate swimming sections. Running and swimming through Malpaís de Rasca is a unique experience. The route crosses old lava flows covered in endemic plants such as cardones and tabaibas, and also passes several volcanic cones. Its location is particularly convenient because training can start on the beach and finish on volcanic terrain, or the other way around. This means a SwimRun session can easily be combined with time in the sun or by the pool at Hotel Bouganville Playa, or with a family holiday at the Iberostar Selection Anthelia. Many Iberostar hotels in Costa Adeje are located directly on the seafront, adding another advantage: the possibility of starting and finishing the session almost at the hotel door.
From Lanzarote to La Graciosa
La isla de La Graciosa, la más pequeña del Archipiélago canario, es un escenario ideal para el desarrollo de entrenamientos de SwinRun. En la isla no hay carreteras asfaltadas, y toda ella está recorrida por pistas. El recorrido circular desde Caleta del Sebo, principal núcleo poblacional, hasta la Playa de las Conchas y regreso por Pedro Barba puede ser una opción, incluyendo tramos de travesía acuática en playa de Las Conchas, en el norte de la Isla, y en el sur entre la Playa de Montaña Amarilla y la Playa La Francesa. Esta zona de costa, de cara al llamado Río, suele tener un mar en calma muy fácil para realizar travesías.
La Graciosa, the smallest inhabited island in the Canary archipelago, provides an excellent setting for SwimRun training. There are no paved roads on the island, and most routes follow tracks and paths. One possible circular route starts in Caleta del Sebo, the island’s main settlement, continues to Playa de las Conchas and returns via Pedro Barba. Swimming sections can be incorporated at Playa de las Conchas in the north and, in the south, between Playa de Montaña Amarilla and Playa de La Francesa. The waters facing the channel known as El Río are often relatively calm and can provide suitable conditions for open-water swimming. For more experienced athletes, another option begins on Lanzarote.** Starting at Playa de Bajo Risco, the route follows the Los Gracioseros trail before athletes swim across the strait to La Graciosa, a crossing of slightly more than 2.5 kilometers. After completing running sections on the smaller island, they can retrace the route and swim back to the starting point. A third option is to explore the Papagayo peninsula, moving from cove to cove and alternating running with swimming. This route can begin from the Iberostar La Bocayna Village,** providing a different way to discover this natural paradise: training in a protected natural setting in the morning and relaxing at the hotel in the afternoon.
