Kitesurfing is in danger of extinction on the beaches of Catalonia! Why are the authorities banning this sport?
Kitesurfing, the most popular sport on the beaches of Catalonia, is being marginalized and persecuted by the authorities!
Image Instagram Pirates Jordi Peralta
While fans yearn to enjoy the waves and the wind, they are forced to fight absurd restrictions and exorbitant penalties.
The Pirates Kite Club, the voice of kitesurfing in Barcelona and all of Catalonia, has brought together more than 500 water sports enthusiasts. Their demand is clear and just: demarcate coastal areas where swimmers can coexist with windsurfers, just as is the case with other activities such as pedal boats and water sports. It's time to give them a space!
"We only ask for a channel so we can deploy the sails; a width of 50 meters would be enough. After that, you can't even see us from the coast," explains Xavi de Palacio, the club's president. But, unfortunately, kitesurfing is facing an uphill battle, fighting for the recognition and institutional support it deserves.
Despite presenting their case to all the political parties represented in Barcelona, only Valents supported the petition and managed to get the City Council to approve the search for sand spaces for surfers. However, much remains to be done. Authorization from the Maritime Authority or even a change in the national coastal law is required.
Meanwhile, kitesurfing enthusiasts face fines of up to €1,500 if they dare to defy the ban and deploy their kites on the beach. Even Olympic athletes are under threat of sanctions! This absurd situation forces many professionals to train in indoor facilities or travel abroad to practice their sport.
It's unacceptable that a sport as exciting and popular as kitesurfing is treated as an illegal activity on the beaches of Catalonia! With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games just around the corner, where kitesurfing will take center stage, it's crucial that the necessary support be provided to local kitesurfers.
Authorities must take immediate action to change this situation and provide designated areas on beaches where kitesurfers can enjoy their sport safely and without restrictions. Let's not allow kitesurfing to become a marginalized sport on our coasts!
