Sport in Gran Canaria is one of the island’s main attractions, as shown by the project launched in 2017, Gran Canaria European Island of Sport. If you are a sports enthusiast, you should not miss the chance to visit this wonderful destination and enjoy the best sporting activities available on the island.
What sports can you practise in Gran Canaria?
As part of tourism in Gran Canaria, sport plays an important role. Water sports and hiking are some of the most representative activities you can enjoy on these majestic islands, although the options are extensive and adapt to the sporting preferences of all types of travellers.
Sport in Gran Canaria can be practised at any time of year, whether during your summer holidays, Easter break or any other occasion when you decide to visit the island. Below, we highlight some of the sports you can enjoy in Gran Canaria:
1. Paddle Surf
This is a perfect sport for days when the sea is calm. Basically, it consists of using paddles to move across the water while standing on a surfboard, almost as if you were skating. It may seem very simple, but it has its technique. Would you dare to try it?
2. Hiking
Gran Canaria is an ideal place to explore its trails and routes, allowing you to enjoy unforgettable views of the most spectacular landscapes and the island’s diverse topography.
Whether through the Dunes of Maspalomas, which offer a desert-like landscape where you can admire beautiful sunrises and sunsets, or along paths that lead to mountain peaks, hidden beaches or natural pools, there are many options that leave you with no excuse not to practise this popular sport in Gran Canaria.
In addition, along the island’s trails you will be able to admire wonderful palm groves, pine forests and laurel forests. Those who practise this sport will have the opportunity to explore various trails in Gran Canaria that cross different municipalities such as Santa Lucía, Agaete, Mogán, Firgas, La Aldea de San Nicolás, Moya, Santa María de Guía, Valleseco, Teror and Valsequillo, among others.
3. Cycling
Gran Canaria also has special places for cyclists, who can ride along different routes and trails while enjoying nature and practising cycle tourism.
Whether mountain biking or covering long distances, cyclists will find themselves on an island that is often considered a “miniature continent”, as it has 8 nature reserves, 100 native plant species and 32 protected natural areas that are perfect for practising this well-known sport in Gran Canaria.
Cycling is very common in Gran Canaria and, thanks to the island’s altitude of 1,949 metres, it is also chosen by many elite cyclists as a training destination for major international championships.
4. Sport Fishing
Among the most important characteristics of Gran Canaria’s beaches, it is worth highlighting the incredible diversity of marine species that can be found in its waters. These include the garfish, blue marlin, Atlantic bonito, albacore tuna and barracuda.
For those who enjoy sport fishing, these waters open up an endless range of possibilities to relax and fish from boats that can be rented in the south of Gran Canaria.
If you enjoy deep-sea fishing, these boats will allow you to spend wonderful days accompanied by expert crews in areas such as San Agustín, Meloneras or Playa del Inglés.
5. Surfing
Surfers also have excellent opportunities to make the most of this sport on the island, as both beginners, with the help of instructors, and more experienced surfers can put their skills into practice on different beaches.
Gran Canaria has a wide variety of beaches for surfing. Some of them, being more remote and secluded, offer surfers the chance to ride waves with greater comfort than in tourist areas, which tend to receive more visitors.
This tourist destination perfectly combines good weather, trade winds and the ocean. All these elements allow you to enjoy an incredible sport in Gran Canaria such as surfing
6. Climbing
The unique volcanic terrain of Gran Canaria, with its unexpected rocky slopes and the island’s excellent climate, creates the perfect combination for practising climbing in its rocky areas.
This sport in Gran Canaria has become increasingly popular in recent years, as new routes with greater levels of difficulty have been opened, representing a real challenge for climbers.
What are the traditional sports of Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria, like the rest of the islands in the archipelago, also has several traditional sports, among which the following stand out:
1. Canarian Wrestling
This is the sport of Gran Canaria and the rest of the archipelago. It is probably the most popular traditional sport. The ancient Canarian aborigines practised a type of wrestling that was later adopted and modified by the Spanish after their arrival in the archipelago, giving rise to today’s Canarian wrestling.
It could be said that it is somewhat similar to Greco-Roman wrestling and sumo, although there are clear differences. One of the most notable is that in this type of wrestling holds are not allowed, nor is fighting on the ground.
2. Shepherd’s Leap
This was originally a practical activity that used an animal horn on the lower tip of a long pole, allowing shepherds to support themselves when jumping over ravines or other uneven terrain while accompanying their livestock across the archipelago.
3. Stick Fighting
This sport from Gran Canaria has certain similarities with fencing, but differs in that players do not wear suits or protective equipment, using only a long stick.
Like Canarian wrestling, it has pre-Hispanic origins, but it uses techniques that have turned it into a very complex sport. It has three modalities based on the size of the stick: short stick, medium stick and long stick, also known as garrote.
4. Latin Sailing
This is a Canarian sport that arrived on the islands with European expansion after colonisation. It is practised in a sailing boat, either in pairs or in larger groups. Latin sailing has been declared a “cultural asset” of the Canary Islands.
Gran Canaria is a perfect destination for lovers of sport and nature, as it allows visitors to practise activities all year round thanks to its climate, terrain and coastline. From water sports to cycling, hiking and traditional sports, the island offers options for all tastes and levels.
If you are thinking of travelling to the island and want to enjoy sport, nature and good weather, staying in the south of Gran Canaria will allow you to easily access many of these activities and make the most of your holiday on the island.
