The 16th iteration of the Eurochallenge, the Sea Kayaking World Cup, begins today and is organised by the Villajoyosa Yacht Club. The Downwind, the championship’s principal event, is set to commence tomorrow, Friday May 1st, with over 200 rowers representing 15 nationalities already present in Villajoyosa. The athletes will commence the competition at the central shoreline and travel 22 miles to Campello.

Representatives of the Spanish Canoeing Federation, the General Director of Sports, Luis Cervera, the Mayor of Vila Joiosa, Marcos Zaragoza, and the Sports Councillor, Peyo Lloret, will participate in the trophy ceremony in the afternoon, following the spectacular lifesaving event on the central beach on Friday May 2nd.

This competition, which is considered a World Cup this year, unites the world’s most accomplished paddlers and is distinguished by the quantity of participants, as well as the quality and diversity of nationalities that establish this international sea kayak series as a benchmark in the international calendar.

The following paddlers are among the participants: the world and European champions Rice, Fenn, and Hart from South Africa, Vilella from France, Pereira from Portugal, and Harbrecht from Germany, as well as Kira Bester from South Africa, the French Le Roux and Delrieux, and the Spanish Bunnett. In terms of the local athletes, Marian Hernández is performing exceptionally well this year, thanks to her impressive times. Sara Mengual has secured second and third place finishes at the last two World Championships, and juvenile Andrea Jiménez has recently attained European qualification.
The 16th edition of the Eurochallenge, which is organised by the Villajoyosa Yacht Club, is made possible by the collaboration of the Vila Joiosa City Council, the Valencian Government, the Superior Council of Sports, the Alicante Provincial Council, the International Canoeing Federation, the Royal Spanish Canoeing Federation, the Canoeing Federation of the Valencian Community, and numerous other entities, including the Campello Yacht Club and the Altea Yacht Club.

The Eurochallenge has emerged as a prelude to the Sea Kayaking World Championship, which Villajoyosa will host in 2026, and it has become a prominent sports competition on a global scale. It welcomes athletes and travellers from a variety of backgrounds.

Aena’s net profit for the first quarter of 2025 was €301.3 million, which represents an increase from €261 million in the same period of the previous year. The gross operating profit was €643.6 million, with a margin of 48.6%. In comparison to 2024 (€581.1 million), this figure indicates a 10.8% increase.

The total consolidated revenue for the first quarter of 2025 was €1,325.6 million, a 7.5% increase from the same period in the previous year. Aeronautical revenue was €683.6 million, while commercial revenue was €441.1 million.

The Brazilian Airports Block (BOAB) consolidation generates €46.8 million in revenue and €25.7 million in EBITDA. The Aena Group (Spain, London-Luton, and Aena Brazil) expanded its passenger traffic to 78.3 million, a 4.9% increase from 2024.

The number of passengers at Spanish airports increased by 4.7%, reaching 63.6 million. The timing of Easter, which occurred in March last year and April this year, as well as the fact that last year was a leap year, has an impact on the comparative figures with the same period in 2024.

Investments

The investment, which totalled 203.1 million euros between January and March 2025, was primarily directed towards the enhancement of operational safety and airport facilities.

In the first quarter of 2025, Aena Group’s OPEX, which encompasses procurement, personnel, and other operating expenses, increased to €691.9 million from €659.9 million in the same period of 2024. The evolution of these expenses is indicative of the group’s personnel expenses (+10.7%) and the Spanish network’s expenses for items such as electricity (+22.4%), maintenance (+9.5%), and security (+8.3%).

The year-on-year increase in other operating expenses at the Spanish airport network was €17.1 million, which is 4.7% higher than the corresponding period from January to March 2024, excluding the impact of energy. The consolidated group’s net financial debt-to-EBITDA ratio decreased to 1.37 times from €5,498 million for the full year 2024, as the Aena Group’s consolidated accounting net financial debt stood at €4,886 million.

The first quarter of 2025 saw solid cash generation. The net cash generated from operating activities increased to €820.4 million from €723.7 million in the first quarter of 2024.

The beaches of El Campello are about to experience a new level of luxury. The City Council’s Department of Beaches and Tourism Infrastructure has granted concessionaires the authority to construct “Balinese beds” on the sand, which are relaxing elements that “add value to the beaches.” This includes the rental of sun loungers and umbrellas on the beaches.

In a statement, the City Council clarifies that the authorisation, which is available to all concessionaires, is always contingent upon the fact that the installation of these elements “does not entail expanding the space granted to them” to install hammocks.

According to the City Council, which is led by Rafa Galvañ, concessionaires who desire to provide these beds, which are typically constructed from wood and are resistant to coastal environmental conditions, may do so without expanding the designated area.

To date, two of these regions have adopted the proposal and have installed Balinese beds in Muchavista that are waterproof, sun-resistant, and simple to clean. These beds are equipped with white side curtains and a custom-made roof that is suitable for machine washing. They have also been treated with fire-retardant and antibacterial components.

The dimensions are 200 centimetres in width, 182 centimetres in depth, and 210 centimetres in height. This furniture is intended to set it apart from other beaches and highlight the sun lounger and umbrella service area, thereby imbuing it with elegance and personality.

Hammock and umbrella dealers must submit a specific request to the City Council to construct these beds. This request must include technical specifications and catalogues of the materials they intend to use.

However, what is the cost? According to the same sources, the concessionaire that commissioned the infrastructure in Muchavista charges €21 per day for two hammocks and a parasol, while a Balinese bed that accommodates three individuals costs €50 per day.

Furthermore, one should consider midday rentals, which would restrict the use and enjoyment of these relaxation facilities to approximately 25-30 euros.