As La Vila Joiosa prepares to welcome the world of Ocean Racing, few people are as closely connected to the town’s journey in the sport as Juan Gordero. An athlete, coach and long-time member of the local club, Juan has been part of its evolution over the years, as La Vila Joiosa established itself as an important destination for Ocean Racing in Europe.
From 9 to 11 October 2026, the Mediterranean town will host the Surfski World Championships, bringing the international surfski community to its coastline. With 16 years of Eurochallenge history, the 2018 European Ocean Racing Championships and a deep connection to the sport, La Vila Joiosa now enters a new chapter on the world stage.
I am currently the Competition Director of the 2026 Ocean Racing World Championships and a member of the Canoeing Committee of Club Náutico La Vila Joiosa, the organization hosting the event.
My connection with the club goes back many years. I have been part of its canoeing section both as an athlete and, for many years, as a coach. Therefore, my relationship with the club goes far beyond my current responsibilities: it is an important part of my sporting, professional and personal journey.
Club Náutico La Vila Joiosa has a long-standing history with Ocean Racing. Although this discipline is relatively new in Spain, our club was a pioneer in its development. In fact, in 2006, La Vila Joiosa hosted the first Spanish Ocean Racing Championship.
In addition, as many paddlers in this discipline know, we have been organizing the Eurochallenge for 16 years, an international event which, in its early editions, was part of the World Series and was the first event of its kind to be held on the European continent.
Dawid Mocke was one of the people who encouraged us to organize an international competition, convinced that the weather conditions in La Vila Joiosa were ideal for the sport.
This entire journey has been possible thanks to the efforts of the club’s different boards, the work of volunteers and the passion of our community for canoeing. This collective commitment has allowed us to maintain an international Ocean Racing event in La Vila Joiosa for 16 years. In addition, in 2018, the club hosted the European Ocean Racing Championships.
I believe that La Vila Joiosa and Ocean Racing are a perfect match. La Vila is a lively, open and welcoming town for everyone who visits us. And those of us who love surfski know that this discipline brings together open, honest and friendly people who are eager to share their passion for the sea and sport.
La Vila also offers excellent weather conditions for surfski throughout the year. The mild temperatures and sea temperature make it possible to enjoy the discipline in every season. We also have downwind routes which, with the right conditions and proper safety organization, provide paddlers with peace of mind.
For these reasons, I believe there is a perfect symbiosis between La Vila Joiosa and Ocean Racing, both because of its natural conditions and because of the character of its people.
For Club Náutico La Vila Joiosa, hosting a World Championship represents a huge responsibility and, at the same time, an enormous source of pride.
As we say here in Spain, it is the icing on the cake of many years of organizing national and international events and European Championships. There was one final step left for us: hosting a World Championship — and in 2026, we are going to make it happen.
It is a source of pride for the club and for the whole of La Vila Joiosa to welcome the international Ocean Racing community. Furthermore, we will do so with a historic participation: the championship will bring together the largest number of paddlers and countries ever seen at a World Championship in this discipline.
For those of us who have been connected to this sport and this town for so many years, it has a very special meaning.
Photo credit: EuroChallenge website
The competition takes place in October, a month when weather conditions in La Vila Joiosa can be highly variable. Therefore, we will have to closely monitor the forecasts in the days leading up to the event in order to decide on the most suitable courses.
Depending on the wind and sea conditions, we could race south towards El Campello, or north towards Altea. This possibility would allow athletes to experience two different courses and could make the event even more spectacular, while always prioritizing the safety of the paddlers.
The feedback we are receiving from the paddlers conveys a great deal of excitement about experiencing this championship and sharing the occasion with the surfski community.
Beyond the competition itself, there is a strong desire to meet one another and enjoy this shared passion for the sea. For us, it is an honor and a source of pride to have 39 countries taking part.
It is a reflection of the significant growth of surfski and its ability to bring people together from all over the world.
As an organization, our greatest expectation is that everything goes well, especially at sea. Our priority is to ensure the safety of the paddlers and for everyone to leave La Vila Joiosa with a positive memory, both of the competition and of the welcome they received.
If we achieve that, I am sure that in a few years we will once again have the excitement of organizing another World Championship in La Vila Joiosa.
Want to learn more about Juan Gordero and the club behind the 2026 Ocean Racing World Championships?
Juan Gordero
Instagram: @juangor_
Club Nàutic La Vila Joiosa
Instagram: @clubnautico.villajoyosa
21st May 2026
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