This morning, the Avenida de Playa Honda hosted the official presentation of the XIII EMMAX Swim – Playa Honda, one of the most established events in the open water calendar in the Canary Islands. Set to take place on Saturday, 6th September, the event will bring together around 250 swimmers from five different nationalities, including athletes from the Basque Country, Barcelona, Valencia, the Canary Islands, and various locations across the mainland.

Inclusive Event

The swim will qualify for both the Canary Islands Open Water Cup and the Lanzarote Insular Cup, featuring a special element: over 50 participants will be making their debut in a swimming event, highlighting the inclusive and beginner-friendly nature of this competition.

Key Attendees

The presentation event was attended by the Mayor of San Bartolomé, Isidro Pérez, the Sports Councillor of the Lanzarote Cabildo, Juan Monzón, the Sports Councillor of San Bartolomé, Alexis Hernández, and Alejandro Acuña, representative of Tripasión Eventos, the organising entity.

Mayor’s Remarks

Mayor Isidro Pérez emphasised that the EMMAX Swim “is now a well-established event in Lanzarote, thanks to the efforts of Tripasión, the Cabildo, and all our collaborators, along with the dedication of the Council’s Sports Department”. He added that the aim for 6th September is “to fill Playa Honda with colour, people, and sport, also boosting the magnificent restaurant scene in the area”. Pérez highlighted the unique permanent open water circuit installed at the beach, “the only one in Lanzarote and a great support for swimmers for the past six years”.

Significance of the Event

Juan Monzón, Sports Councillor of the Lanzarote Cabildo, underscored the importance of this event within the insular and regional calendar. “We are here once again for this much-anticipated occasion. This is the 13th edition of the swim, and at the same time, the 4th stage of the Insular Open Water Cup. Furthermore, it is part of the Canary Islands Cup, adding value within the regional circuit,” he noted. Monzón congratulated Councillor Alexis Hernández “for keeping such a highly anticipated event alive in the calendar” and remarked that events like this “not only encourage participation across all ages, from children to adults, but they also help energise the commercial, tourist, and pedestrian areas of the island.”

Family-Friendly Focus

For his part, Alexis Hernández, San Bartolomé’s Sports Councillor, highlighted the inclusive and family-oriented nature of the EMMAX Swim. “We return with the 13th edition, which this year is part of the Premium Canary Islands Cup and the Insular Cup, making it a prominent event at the regional level. Additionally, we have categories ranging from Prebenjamines to inclusive and family-friendly formats, which makes the EMMAX Swim accessible to everyone,” he stated. Hernández invited the public to enjoy a unique day: “It is not just for water professionals, but also for families to swim together. We want Playa Honda to be a celebration of sport, the beach, the avenue, and local dining on 6th September.”

Recognition of Contributors

Lastly, Alejandro Acuña, representing Tripasión Eventos, expressed gratitude to all the entities that make the event possible. “We want to thank the public and private institutions that continue to support this event, ensuring it remains a reality,” he stated. He also gave special recognition to the participants: “They will be the true stars, enjoying the open waters in a competitive manner, but also in a pleasant and fun environment, embodying the spirit of community that characterises the EMMAX Swim.”

Support and Inclusion

The XIII EMMAX Swim – Playa Honda is supported by the Sports Department of the Lanzarote Cabildo, Turismo Lanzarote, the Lanzarote Security and Emergency Consortium, Cajasiete, B15 Active, and Restaurant EMMAX. Additionally, the inclusive format will once again take place thanks to the backing of the “la Caixa” Foundation through CaixaBank and the support from the Social Welfare Department of the Cabildo, promoting diversity and ensuring that all participants can enjoy sports on equal terms.