The Consorci de la Ribera, an entity formed by the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Alta and the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Baixa, has been recognised by the Fundación Trinidad Alfonso with one of the Emprén Esport 2023 awards, specifically the award in the Reinforcement category, for the work it is doing in organising the Descens del Xúquer sporting event.
This category of the Emprén Esport awards is intended for sporting events that are in their first editions and need support to grow. Thanks to this award, the Fundación Trinidad Alfonso will contribute a total of €15,000 to the financing of the event.
The Descens del Xúquer is growing and this year the Royal Spanish Canoeing Federation has approved its inclusion in the international competition calendar of the ICF (International Canoe Federation). Clubs from other European countries such as France, Italy, Portugal and England, among others, are expected to participate.
This year’s edition will feature two competitive events and two popular descents. On Saturday 10 June, in the afternoon, the descent will begin with a race starting in Sumacàrcer and finishing in Antella, and will continue on Sunday 11 June with the second race from Polinyà de Xúquer to the finish in Algemesí. Participants will have to complete a total of 16 km.
As for the popular descent, which has aroused great interest among the local population and is spreading to neighbouring regions, two routes are proposed: on Saturday 10 June in the morning, the Sumacàrcer-Antella route, and on Sunday 11 June in the morning, the Alzira-Algemesí route.
«This award from the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation encourages us to continue working on all the projects we are carrying out to make the Xúquer a backbone and driving force for tourism, sport and society», said Óscar Navarro, president of the Consorci de la Ribera. «With this recognition, the Descens del Xúquer gains a lot of visibility and will certainly help us to grow and make it a benchmark for both competitive and amateur canoeing events».
