TRB Ametlla de Mar

The morning air in L’Ametlla de Mar carries a distinct maritime rhythm, as the port prepares for the TunaRaceBalfegó. Locals and returning swimmers gather near the docks, where the Balfegó Grup organizes the transport of athletes to the aquaculture pools, five kilometers offshore. This event, established in 2012, has evolved into a key date for those looking for early-season competition in Catalonia, often serving as a prelude to other regional challenges like the 50ª Port del Fangar scheduled later in the season.

The underwater landscape

As you begin your stroke, the clarity of the water becomes apparent, a direct result of the dense Posidonia meadows that carpet the seabed. These seagrasses act as natural filters, maintaining the visibility that characterizes the thirty bays of the municipality. While swimming the 5K, the route offers a perspective of the coast dominated by the Castell de Sant Jordi d’Alfama. This 18th-century defensive structure, a landmark of the Gulf of Saint George, remains visible from the water as you approach the final stretch toward L’Alguer beach. The proximity of the coast allows you to feel the legacy of the region, where historical navigation and the management of water resources are commemorated in local collections, such as the Iberian pottery housed in the nearby Sant Jordi estate.

Historical and local context

Swimming here connects you to more than just the sea. The town’s relationship with the horizon is documented by the Ametlla de Mar Observatory, where astronomer Jaume Nomen and his team have identified minor planets, a detail that reflects the town's long-standing focus on celestial tracking. During the race, you are navigating the same currents that have shaped the local fishing culture, celebrated annually with the maritime procession of Saint Peter on June 29th. The logistical complexity of the event, which includes boat transport for the 2K and 5K distances and specialized safety support, is managed to ensure swimmers can traverse these waters with full security, far removed from the site of the 1989 industrial fire at the nearby Vandellòs nuclear plant. Whether you are tackling the 800m youth distance or the 5km endurance test, the event emphasizes a commitment to the local marine environment and the tradition of the Mediterranean bluefin tuna.