On 6 and 13 September: don’t miss the two days of racing in La Concha
Traineras rowing races originated from a very specific way of life: deep-sea fishing. The boats required strong, resilient men capable of rowing for hours to reach the fishing grounds and, once the catch had been hauled in, racing back to port fully loaded and at top speed in time for the auction.
Photo: Newspaper Archive of the Koldo Mitxelena Cultural Centre Library
Over time, engines replaced human power in the boats. Yet for many years afterwards, the world of rowing races remained closely linked to fishing. Professionals from the sector trained with the best crews along the coast. Even today, with athletes from a wide range of backgrounds taking part, male and female rowers compete for clubs based in towns with a long fishing tradition.
Photo: Newspaper Archive of the Koldo Mitxelena Cultural Centre Library
The La Concha regattas were first organised in 1879 as part of San Sebastian’s summer festivities. Fishing traineras were used for the event; until then, these boats had competed against one another in challenges with money at stake to determine which was superior.
Photo: Newspaper Archive of the Koldo Mitxelena Cultural Centre Library
More than a hundred years of tradition have made the La Concha trainera races the sporting event of the year in the Basque Country. No other event is capable of attracting such huge crowds, packed onto Urgull, Igeldo, Paseo Nuevo, the harbour and the island. On the beaches and aboard boats of every kind, nobody wants to miss the first two Sundays in September, even though the races are broadcast live on television and can be watched from homes everywhere.
This year, the first day of racing will take place on 6 September and the second on 13 September in La Concha Bay, the perfect setting for this trainera competition, which brings the whole city together. The best crews take part in the most prestigious race on the Cantabrian coast, and thousands of fans come to Donostia to cheer on their favourites. The races will be held on both Sundays at 11:00 a.m. for the women’s category and at 12:00 noon for the men’s category.
Women’s race
In 2008, women took part in the La Concha regattas for the first time, and the women’s competition has been held every year since then, helping to raise the profile of female athletes. The Equality Department of San Sebastian City Council committed itself to promoting equal participation by men and women in sport. In those first women’s regattas, held in Donostia on 13 September, two crews from Catalonia, one from Cantabria, one from Bizkaia and four from Gipuzkoa took part.
In 2008, women took part in the La Concha regattas for the first time, and the women’s competition has been held every year since then, helping to raise the profile of female athletes. The Equality Department of San Sebastian City Council committed itself to promoting equal participation by men and women in sport. In those first women’s regattas, held in Donostia on 13 September, two crews from Catalonia, one from Cantabria, one from Bizkaia and four from Gipuzkoa took part.
