The descent of the river Sella. The international canoe race, at the finish line.

This event started in the 1930s, when Dionisio de la Huerta and his friends made an excursion down the Rivers Sella and Piloña. In 1932 it became a race down the Sella, between the bridges at Arriondas and Ribadesella. The 1st winners were César Llano and Antón Durán from Ribadesella, competing against the club de Regattas from Gijon. From then on the event grew and grew, but during the civil war it was suspended. After the civil war it regained its popularity. In the 1960s teams from all over the world join in the competition, the best from Spain usually came from Asturias, Lugo and Aragón. The best from others countries where the British, the Danish and South Africans. In the 80s it became even more popular when it started to be broadcast live on television. The last time that a couple from Ribadesella won the competition was in 1997. The record for the times was broken in 2010, by Javier Hernanz and Julio Martinez, who had a time of one hour and ten minutes, both are from the club grupo cultural Covadonga.

Supporters of the competition.

At the same time as the canoeing event, there is a huge fiesta in Arriondas and Ribadesella. The people spend all night partying. Saturday starts a parade of the characters of the fiesta dressed as giants and big heads these are massive heads made of papier maché, with clothing to match the occasion. The figures depicted are those of Don Pelayo and others kings of Asturias, also the Tritones of Piloña, a mythological group whose job it is to protect the river and the canoeists

After recitation of the starting ritual and the singing of the Asturian anthem, at 12 o’clock the race commences amid shouting and much jubilation. At the same time thousands of people rush along the river banks to keep up with the canoeists. And a train packed with spectators set off, following the curse of the river. The train stops at specific view points and the people disembark to watch the event. Other people follow by road in all kinds of vehicles. The aim is to reach the finish at the same time as the winning canoe. Then the fiesta continues in the forest near Ribadesella at Campo de Oba. This the most genuine and original part of the fiesta. After picnicking, people often sleep for siesta. Then the winners are presented with trophies Folk music is performed by traditional Asturian bands. The fiesta continues all night in Ribadesella.