One descent was not enough for these Marines

The two Royal Marines who tackled the Liffey Descent in May were back for more as they travelled to Spain to plunge into the infamous Sella Descent.

The International Descent of the Sella or Descenso Internacional del Sella is marked every year with a 15 km canoe marathon along the Sella River in Arriondas, Asturias. The event is organized by the Spanish Federation of Canoeing. Originating in 1930, this festival now attracts participants and spectators from all over the world.

Royal Marines, 'Nutty' and 'Brucey', took to the water to test their mettle in the annual race, and Mne Sam “Nutty” Edwards gave his 'kayak's eye-view' account:

'Race kayaks in Spain they said, they have a festival they said, it’s a giant party they said. Following the Liffey Decent race Myself and Mne David ‘Brucey’ Bruce decided to represent the Royal Marines in the Sella Descent and this one did not disappoint. 

'We set off a few days early ahead of the race with a flight from Gatwick to Bilbao in Northern Spain. Luckily our friend Tris from Royal Canoe Club in London had squared away a boat for us and it was being stored in Ribbadesella (the finish line of the race). Brucey and I hired a car for the two-and half-hour journey from Bilbao to Ribbadesella, arriving in the region of Astorias ready to embrace the culture. We located our boat which was a sturdy ride with a decent pedigree, ideal for a descent race which transits over shallow fast-moving water. Boat sorted time to enjoy the party!

'On the race day itself there was much hype and excitement (and sore heads) around the start point. With thousands of spectators watching on all lining the bridges and banks of the start line. The crowds were so huge it would take you at least an hour to drive through this small town in Northern Spain.

'A total of 1400 people had entered the race and the beach was rammed with paddlers eager to start. The tannoid system was getting the crowd excited and the commentator was naming some of the countries that had entered. We heard “Almania” and the crowd would roar ‘viva’, an amazing atmosphere which I had never experienced at a kayak race before.

'Then 3…2…1…GO! The paddles are released from their locks and it’s a mad rush down to the boats like a cavalry charge straight in and onto the ogin. The ensuing melee is something to behold, people falling in, legs and arms muscling past each other to get ahead and onto the river race.

'It stayed the same the whole way along. The river was fast flowing and shallow in some parts, with the banks of the river littered with people for over 20km. An amazing sight to behold. We made good time getting down the river to the finish pulling in 72nd which we were over the moon with.

'Now the issue of a paddle back to the start to celebrate.

'All in all a great race and good fun. This is a must for any paddler and a definite date for the diary next year. Sports Tour anyone?'