The 12th edition of the Paddle Race will return in 2026 to its emblematic downwind that runs along the coast of Barcelona. We are repeating the last edition's standard downwind from Barcelona to Montgat (15 km), and there will be a second downwind from Montgat to Mataró (17 km) for those who want to participate in the 32 km ultra race in which the two downwinds are combined.
Regitrations are open for all competitors in surfski (SS1, SS2) and outrigger canoe/va'a (OC1, OC2, V1, V6). V6 teams are expected to complete the full 32 km distance, individuals and doubles will race in the standard downwind, and can opt in to also race in the ultra distance.
The 12th edition of the Barcelona Paddle Race is co-organized with the Catalan Canoeing Federation and consists of three races in total: two short races for paddlers registered in Catalonia, and the main race, a 15 km downwind leg between Barcelona and Montgat. The race will have separate classifications for the international and regional competitions.
Surfski
SS1 Senior Women & Men
SS1 Junior U18 Women & Men
SS1 Veteran* Women & Men
SS2 Open
Outrigger
OC1 Senior Women & Men
OC1 Veteran Women & Men
OC2 Open
V1 Senior Women & Men
V1 Veteran* Women & Men
* We will open separate categories for veterans if at least 5 competitors register per category. Age divisions are in 5-year increments (35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60+). If fewer than 5 competitors register, the veteran categories will be combined or absorbed into the Senior category.
The 1st Paddle Race Ultra will consist of two legs: a first downwind leg between Barcelona and Montgat (15 km) and a second downwind leg between Montgat and Mataró (17 km). Competitors who finish within 45 minutes of the winner of the first downwind leg will qualify to participate in the second downwind and the Ultra. The awards ceremony and reception (snacks and food trucks) will take place at the Ultra finish line, at the Centre Natació Mataró.
Surfski
SS1 Absolute Women & Men
SS2 Open
Outrigger
OC1 Absolute Women & Men
OC2 Open
V1 Absolute Women & Men
V6 Open
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Winners of the last edition (2024, individual categories) are invited to participate in this year's Barcelona Paddle Race and are exempted from the registration fee.
Paddle Race 2024 Category Winners
1. Margaux Bouteloup Palavas Kayak de Mer, SS1 Senior Femenino
2. Tanguy Catelle Club Terre de Camargue Le Grau du Roi, SS1 Senior Masculino
4. Anaïs Holtz Palavas Kayak de Mer, SS1 Junior U18 Masculino
5. Marius Toutee Club Terre de Camargue Le Grau du Roi, SS1 Junior U18 Masculino
6. Nicolas Lambert Club Terre de Camargue Le Grau du Roi, SS1 Vet 35–54 Masculino
7. Roland Lebeau Marsac-sur-l'Isle, SS1 Vet 55–59 Masculino
8. Claudio Bazzini Amici del Fiume Torino, SS1 Vet 60+ Masculino
9. Caroline Jehl Club Terre de Camargue Le Grau du Roi, OC1 Senior Femenino
10. Eduardo Iglesias Otero Real Club Naútico Rodeira, OC1 Senior Masculino
11. Maurizio Schmidt Pacificos Va’a, V1 Senior Masculino
For those who just want to enjoy a paddling activity at sea without the pressure of competition, there will be opportunity to participate in a shorter downwind run (11.5 km) along the Barcelona coast. The start and finish lines will be the same as for the competitors, and ground transportation will be provided for paddlers and their boats to the starting line. As traditional sea kayaking is not a competitive category in the Paddle Race, this is an ideal opportunity for those who practice this discipline. The short downwind run is open to all types of paddle craft (touring sea kayak, SUP, etc.).
Friday 05.06.2026.
16:00–20:00
Pre-race training sessions possible at the base of BCN Caiac, in the Port of Badalona.
Saturday 06.06.2026.
9:00–10:30
9:30–10:00
Promo race (2 km) 2a Copa Catalana, FCP only
Centre de Natació Mataró, Mataró
10:30–11:00
Briefing
Centre de Natació Mataró, Mataró
11:30
Shuttle to Barcelona (start line)
salida desde el Centre de Natació Mataró, con parada en Montgat
13:30–15:30
Downwind Barcelona–Montgat 15 km & 11.5 km
Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona – Club Marítim Montgat, Montgat
See on Google Maps
16:00–18:00
Downwind Montgat–Mataró
Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona – Club Marítim Montgat, Montgat
See on Google Maps
from 18:00 onwards
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Barcelona Caiac is a paddling school and sports club based in the Port of Badalona.
Founded in 2012, Barcelona Caiac has been pioneering ocean sports in Catalonia, being the first to establish a learning centre for surfski and outrigger canoe paddling, along with being the long-time base of a well-established group of traditional sea kayakers.
Situated in the sheltered waters of the Port of Badalona, we serve the ocean paddling community in the wider Barcelona & Maresme area.
Moll Lima, Port Esportiu de Badalona
Carrer d'Eduard Maristany, s/n,
08912 Badalona, Barcelona
info@barcelonacaiac.com
