Sports and education
In a key year for sailing and nautical activity, the America’s Cup becomes sports and training opportunities.
Barcelona wants the passion for water sports and the seas to reach everybody, with programmes such as “Viu la vela” to foster sailing among children in the city. Or like the Pavelló Blau project, created with the aim of promoting the seafront as Barcelona’s leading outdoor sports area.
In the educational field, numerous training initiatives are promoting the nautical sector and the blue economy for a professional career.
Viu la vela
‘Viu la vela’ [Enjoy Sailing] is an initiative inspired by the forthcoming America's Cup in Barcelona that aims to bring sailing sports to all Barcelona schools. To date, 6,500 sixth-year primary school children from over 165 state and subsidised schools have benefited from the project.
The Closing Ceremony is being held at Port Olímpic and Nova Icària Beach on 12 June with nearly 2,000 students; a big festive occasion to culminate this second edition of the programme, after last year’s pilot programme.
Pavelló Blau
The Pavelló Blau is being created with the aim of promoting and improving the seafront as Barcelona’s leading outdoor sports area, from Port Vell to Port Fòrum. A space with a balanced range of both individual and organised sporting activities for city residents, with areas linked to water and sand sports along with more urban spaces, such as promenades, parks, and other spaces used for sports.
Kakapo Open Race and Spanish Adapted and Inclusive Sailing Championship
From 15 to 21 July. Barcelona coastal area.
The Kakapo Open Race is an international adapted sailing regatta promoting a sea without barriers. The championship backs diversity and the values of sailing, as one of the few sports where everybody can take part in equal conditions, regardless of their abilities.
The regatta is organised by the Catalan Sailing Federation, the Fundació Barcelona Capital Nàutica and the Fundació Mi Alex.
Sports Competition by the Sea
For sailing lovers, Sports Competition by the Sea is a single calendar event bringing together all the regattas held in Barcelona by federated sports clubs, amateurs, young people’s and adapted sports clubs. One of the most outstanding competitions is the Catalan Catamaran Championship, to be held at the beaches of Barceloneta over the weekends of 16 and 17 November and 23 and 24 November.
Let’s move
The sea is part of our life in Barcelona, and the America’s Cup is an invitation to connect to it via sport. The free physical activity programme 'Let’s Move' includes activities like open water swimming, in groups as well, with routes organised by the IEM Espai de Mar. Another Let's Move option is practising Tai Chi and Qigong as part of the Get Active in Parks held at the Parc de la Ciutadella. Plus, the party to mark the end of Get Active in Parks will be held at the Parc de la Barceloneta, which is very close to the sea.
Discover the professional openings in the nautical sector and the blue economy
Barcelona is capitalising on the stature of the America’s Cup to promote the nautical sector as a career option.
The session “Mou-te! [Get Moving!] Make the nautical world your profession” and the new monograph “Discover the blue economy” from the Professional Life Project will offer information on new professional profil·les and the training paths needed to pursue them at young people doing vocational training courses or secondary education.
Another municipal initiative to promote nautical professions is the second edition of the seafarer course at the sports port.
Training for commerce, hospitality and volunteers for the America’s Cup
Ajuntament de Barcelona is organising three free English courses aimed mainly at the unemployed, for those interested in working in commerce and hospitality, as well as those already working in these sectors. The goal is for businesses in this sector to be able to offer better service and get the most out of the large numbers of visitors generated by the America’s Cup. There will also by training for volunteers for the America’s Cup so they can introduce the Barceloneta neighbourhood to city residents and visitors.
Sailing Congress
Activity finished
The Catalan Sailing Federation is organising the Sailing Congress, a meeting point for the whole sector to introduce the latest in the world of sailing, share knowledge and promote this sport.
15 and 16 May. Barcelona International Sailing Centre.
Talk 'Puig Women America’s Cup 2024'
Activity finished
The series of talks entitled “The value of sport in the 21st century” is dedicating a session to the Puig Women America’s Cup 2024, the new America's Cup women’s regatta, which is being held for the first time in Barcelona. Participating in the talk will be:
- Natàlia Via-Dufresne, yachtswoman, two-time Olympic medallist
- Carlota Artigas, Marketing Manager of the Americas Cup Event (ACE)
- Elisenda Vives, head of the Catalan Sailing Federation’s Equality Commission
Also participating as panellists will be:
- Begoña Villarubia, journalist with “El Mundo Deportivo”
- Isabel García, member of the Ciutat Vella Sports Association
23 May. Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic and Sports Museum.
RC Sailing Barcelona University Regatta
Activity finished
After four months of work, the university engineering students who took part in the RC Sailing Barcelona programme will be competing with the radio-controlled boats they designed and built with their own hands.
The event is one of the legacy projects by the Fundació Barcelona Capital Nàutica.
26 May, from 9.30 am to 2 pm Port Vell.
A sea spring at the Centre de la Platja
Activity finished
The America’s Cup is an excellent opportunity for getting close to the sea, rediscovering it and beginning a new relationship with it. This spring, the Centre de la Platja [Beach Centre] is inviting you to do just that, by organising a series of activities: exhibitions, shows, itineraries, workshops, aperitifs, a gymkhana, eco-snorkelling, yoga and even cinema, along with activities for children.
Free activities, but prior booking is required.
April, May, and June. Centre de la Platja.
