Experience fast-paced descents in white water and paddle through calm waters. The coast and the Pyrenees of Catalonia await you aboard a kayak or canoe. Freshwater descents: discover canoeing in Catalonia Do you want to descend rivers with gradients of more than6 metres? In Catalonia, if you practise canoeing, you can combine training in perfectly equipped facilities with the thrill of new experiences and thrilling descents through fresh water. White water in the Pyrenees of Catalonia Practising canoeing in white water in Noguera Pallaresa is a unique experience in the Pyrenees of Catalonia. It is considered the best river in Europe for white water and combines several levels in its navigable 60 km. Spring is the great time to practise this type of water sport, since the rivers carry a greater amount of water produced by the melting of the mountains. In Sort is the Aigüerola regatta field, a natural space ideal for practising river sports and very well equipped for training and international competitions such as the ICF FreeStyle Kayak World Cup, the Noguera Pallaresa International Rally or the ICF Wildwater Canoeing World Championship Sort. This venue has a 375 metre white water channel. Sports navigation can be practised there at any time of the year, with training and competition facilities available as well as enjoying the navigable 60 km from Noguera Pallaresa. You can also practice rafting at Segre Olympic Park, in Seu d'Urgell, thanks to its mini-hydroelectric plant, which guarantees water flow all year round. Here you can alternate white and calm waters in the 800 metre channel parallel to the Segre river, which branches into two white water channels of 500 meters with a difference in level of 6.5 metres. In addition, they have mechanical lifts so that canoeists can restart the route without having to get off the boat. Dragon Boat on the Costa Brava In the lake of Banyoles you can practise a type of canoeing of Chinese origin, with Agenda Sports & Elements. It is navigated in boats of 10 to 12 paddlers. In the bow is a dragon's head and in the stern, the tail. A skipper directs the boat and a helmsman sets the pace of the team. You don't need to be an expert to practise Dragon Boat, it's suitable for everyone. This form can be practised in calm waters (lakes and canals) and in open water (in the form of Dragon Boat of the Sea). Canoeing in Costa Barcelona If you are an experienced canoeist, the Olympic Channel of Catalonia offers you unbeatable conditions to enjoy this sport. It was built on the occasion of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games to host the canoeing events in calm waters. It is located in Castelldefels, 15 kilometres from Barcelona. Its artificial channel has a length of 1,250 metres, a width of 130 metres and a depth of 4 metres. It is built on the marshlands of the Llobregat river delta and surrounded by Mediterranean pines. The schools and educational centres stand out both for training and for federated sports competitions. Mainly practised in the Olympic Canal are rowing, windsurfing, sailing and water skiing, but other team sports and even golf and cycling are available. Terres de l'Ebre: territory for paddling Terres de l'Ebre is a paradise for lovers of canoeing. Amposta, Sports Tourism Destination certified by the Catalan Tourism Agency, has two facilities where paddlers can perfect their technique. The Terres de l'Ebre Sports Technology Centre offers the necessary resources and services for high performance training, and is a national and international benchmark centre for sports such as rowing. The Amposta Nautical Club is a facility of this centre, and it especially helps young people who are preparing professionally. The calm waters of the final section of the Ebre River are ideal for training the technique of paddling. In the section of the Ebre River that goes from Miravet to Benifallet, the route evolves through meanders between mountains, surrounded by virgin landscape. From the canoe, while you train, you will only hear the sound of the water and the singing of the birds. A visit to the river front of the beautiful town of Miravet is also worthwhile. The calm waters of the Bay of Fangar and, above all, the Bay of Alfacs, favour the practise of canoeing. Other places to get ready are the waters of the canals of the Llacuna del Delta de l'Ebre and the Gola del Migjorn. This old mouth of the Ebre River is obstructed by a set of sediments and ends in a beach. Its waters are perfect for training. Do you have the canoe ready?