Barcelona Paddle Race 2026

Distances

Downwind Barcelona–Montgat | 15 km

El downwind de 15 km entre la playa de Somorrostro en Barcelona (Port Olímpic) y la Platja de les Barques en Montgat (Club Marítim Montgat) se considera el recorrido estándar de la Barcelona Paddle Race. Se espera que los competidores inscritos en la Barcelona Paddle Race y en la categoría de larga distancia de la 2a Copa Catalana (competidores de la Federación Catalana de Piragüismo) completen este recorrido. Registration Paddle Race 2026

Key locations

Platja Somorrostro, Port Olímpic, Barcelona – start line in front of the towers Mapfre y Hotel Arts

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Platja Sant Sebastià – buoy turn in front of the Hotel W, Barcelona

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Platja de les Barques, Club Marítim Montgat, Montgat – finish line on top of the small hill, in front of the Turó de Montgat (bigger hill)

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Platja de les Barques, Club Marítim Montgat, Montgat – foto of the beach, arrival behind the small breakwater
Importante: para llegar a la playa es obligatorio utilizar el canal de accesso del CM Montgat, demarcado por las boyas visibles en la foto

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Visual references

Montgat as seen from Port Fórum, passing the Photovoltaic Pergola of Fórum

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Montgat as seen from Badalona, passing by the Pont de Petroli

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Visual reference: residential towers of Montgat

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Getting close to the breakwater of Club Marítim Montgat

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Navigational tip

After the buoy turn in front of the Hotel W, choose point on the horizon that's slightly to the right of Port Fórum and the Photovoltaic Pergola. Once past Port Fórum, the reference point should be the residential towers on the Montgat hilltops. Depending on sea conditions, the breakwater next to CM Montgat might not be easily visible, at least not until one's sufficiently close to it. The beach and finish line is behind it.

Downwind Barcelona–Montgat | 11.5 km

The "short" downwind of the Barcelona Paddle Race is a shortened version of the standard downwind. The start line is the same (Somorrostro), but instead of turning towards the Hotel W, one should directly turn north towards Badalona and Montgat.

This short downwind is an official race course only within the framework of the Catalan Cup competition by the Catalan Canoe Federation and only those federated in Catalonia will get rankings. The downwind, however, is open to all other paddlers in any paddlecraft (touring sea kayak, SUP), etc. who wish to complete the distance as a fun activity. The transport and everything else (security, post-race reception) is included. Sign up here if you wish to participate non-competitively:
Registration Short Downwind

Paddle Race Ultra | 32 km

The Paddle Race Ultra will consist of two parts: the first part is the standard downwind of the Barcelona Paddle Race in which all competitors will receive their rankings. After the stop in Montgat (all competitors must cross the finish line), the race will continue along the coast of El Maresme towards Mataró. This second part is 17 km in total with starting in Montgat and the finish line on the beach in front of the Centre de Natació Mataró. Registration Paddle Race 2026

Key locations

Start line in front of Club Marítim Montgat, then one must pass these three ports: El Masnou, Premià de Mar, and Mataró

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Platja del Varador, Centre de Natació Mataró, Mataró – finish line on the beach, with an inflatable arc, in front of the CN Mataró building

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Visual references

Mataró from the height of the port of Premià de Mar

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Finish line once closer to the port of Mataró: CN Mataró is right behind the port, the finish line is before the small breakwater of the club

Start line of the Barcelona Paddle Race, Platja Somorrostro, Barcelona

Navigational tip

The best visual reference will be counting the ports. In total there will be three ports: El Masnou, Premià de Mar, y Mataró. For the first few kilometres, it is advised to keep away fom the coast as much as possible to avoid the port entrances of El Masnou and Premià de Mar as the sand banks in front of them create waves that take you too close to shore. Once the port of Mataró (the third port) becomes visible, the best would be to choose a point on the horizon that's slightly to the right of the port. The finish line will be right behind the port.