The coastline of Playa Flamingo will host the fourth edition of this event on Saturday, 27th September, attracting anglers from both the Canary Islands and the mainland. The Kopa takes place under sustainable catch-and-release fishing regulations.
The resort town of Playa Blanca is once again in the spotlight for island and regional sports, with the celebration of the Kopa Canarias Kayak Fishing event set for Saturday, 27th September. This year’s edition will take place along the scenic coastline of Playa Flamingo, featuring 80 athletes from the Canary Islands and the mainland. Previous participants expressed delight with the variety of species found in the southern seabeds, the accessibility to the sea, and the calm waters, all ideal for this sustainable catch-and-release competition.
Local Support and Organisation
The Sports Councillor of Yaiza, Ángel Lago, emphasised the “decision by the organisers and athletes to return to Playa Flamingo since we first hosted one of the Kopa rounds in 2023. The level of satisfaction is high, and in Yaiza, we support the Kopa as it becomes a new promotional opportunity for the Islands and nationally, where interest in the event remains strong.”
The Kopa is organised by the Kayak Fishing Club Lava, with support from the municipal councils of Yaiza and Tinajo, and the Cabildo of Lanzarote, which has joined as a promoter this year. This collaboration is also thanks to various sponsoring entities, including the Playa Flamingo hotel, where the competition was presented this Tuesday. Attendees included the councillors of Yaiza, Ángel Lago and Daniel Medina; the Sports Councillor of the Cabildo, Juan Monzón; the vice-president of Kayak Lava, Yeray Cuadrado; the director of the host hotel, Ulises Dorta; and Carlos Sánchez, a regular competitor from the mainland.
Competition Details
Yeray Cuadrado explained that “this is a selective competition, as all species caught must meet the size requirements set by regulations. As organisers, we have increased the minimum sizes for certain species. For instance, the minimum size for a sama has been raised from 35 centimetres to 45 or 50 centimetres.”
This edition will see participants competing in two modalities: trolling, which involves dragging a lure through areas frequented by fish, and jigging, which requires dropping the lure vertically for repeated retrieval. The kayaks are equipped with fish finders and other tools to assist athletes in achieving their objectives.
Participants’ Excitement
There is excitement and anticipation among the competitors, as expressed by Carlos Sánchez: “I return to the Canary Islands because fishing in these waters is wonderful. The species are different from those on the mainland, the waters are rich, and it’s exhilarating to compete here.” Following the round this Saturday at Playa Flamingo, the final and decisive day of the Kopa will take place on Saturday, 18th October, in Fuerteventura. Now, we await good weather to ensure a fantastic day of camaraderie centred around sport.
