89ª GEN Roses

The waters of the Gulf of Roses typically remain calm in August, offering a predictable rhythm for the swimmer’s stroke, though one must account for the local thermal breezes that can ripple the surface as the morning progresses. This bay has served as a maritime gateway since the 5th century BC, when Greek colonists established the settlement of Rhode to control these vital trade routes. As you navigate the course, the history of the gulf reveals itself through the structures that define the skyline. To the east, the star-shaped Castell de la Trinitat sits prominently 60 meters above the sea, serving as a reminder of the 16th-century defenses ordered by Emperor Charles V after the devastating 1543 raid by the admiral Barbarossa.

Architectural landmarks and naval history

Swimming along the cliffs of Canyelles Grosses, you will pass the Casa Rozes, a rationalist masterpiece designed by José Antonio Coderch in the early 1960s. Its stepped, cube-like geometry is carved directly into the rugged terrain, mirroring the sharp edges of the coastline. The water beneath you holds its own marks of conflict; in 1795, the gulf was the theater for a 24-hour pursuit during the French Revolutionary Wars, where the Spanish warship Reina María Luisa forced the surrender of the French frigate Iphigenie. While the southern end of the bay opens toward the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, a sprawling wetland sanctuary for hundreds of bird species, the race remains focused on the coastal legacy of Roses.

Organized by the Grup d'Esports Nàutics Roses, the event features distances of 250, 1000, and 2000 meters. Those seeking a longer challenge in the region might look toward the September crossing in nearby Cadaqués. The event draws a local community of swimmers, with the 2026 edition continuing a long tradition of competitive and popular open-water swimming in this storied Catalan bay.