The outstanding Spanish canoeist first discovered Lanzarote during the World Surfski Championship and now returns whenever he can to enjoy his sport
The ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships, known as the World Surfski Championships, held in Lanzarote in 2020, not only stood out as a high-level sporting event, but also served to showcase the island’s exceptional weather conditions for the practice of this sport to the world. The experience left an indelible mark on many of the participants, including Javier López, the outstanding Spanish canoeist, who in addition to enjoying the intense competition, discovered in Lanzarote a perfect place to develop his passion for surfskiing.
“The island offers amazing conditions; in December you can go out in short sleeves, and the sea is spectacular for kayaking.”
Javier began his sporting career in swimming, but his desire to practice an outdoor activity led him to try canoeing, a sport he quickly became hooked on. This young Asturian started getting into competition by participating in canoeing events in Asturias, where his results soon made him stand out. His effort and dedication led him to the top of the podium in the Spanish Championship, to represent the National Team in a European Championship and a World Championship, and to become one of the few Asturians to win the prestigious International Sella River Descent. “If I had to give up canoeing one day, it would be with a feeling of satisfaction,” he says with pride.
“The sea conditions here are spectacular to enjoy”
López recognizes that the evolution of canoeing has transformed training methods: “Athletes are no longer pushed so hard; we now look for more quality in each session”. This approach, according to him, allows athletes to prolong their competitive careers. For Javier, one of the most exceptional characteristics of this sport is the unique sensations it offers: “You glide through the water like someone gliding through the snow and enjoy the scenery from a completely different perspective”. He is convinced that this is the reason why, bit by bit, more and more people are taking up canoeing.
After discovering Lanzarote during the World Surfski Championship, Javier returns whenever his sports and work commitments allow him to do so. “The island offers amazing conditions; in December you can go out in short sleeves, and the sea is spectacular for kayaking,” he says. On his last visit, he took the opportunity to deliver a training day to the young canoeists of Club Marlines, sharing his experience and passion for the sport.
