La Ballena Alegre welcomes more than 500 female athletes for the 10th edition of Sweet Aloha
Camping Bungalow Resort & Spa La Ballena Alegre, in Sant Pere Pescador, welcomed more than 500 female athletes this weekend for the 10th edition of Sweet Aloha, an event dedicated to promoting women’s sport that is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. From 18 to 20 September, participants enjoyed three days of sport, wellbeing and activities connected to the sea and nature.
Organised by the Club de Vela La Ballena Alegre, Sweet Aloha was launched in 2016 with the aim of encouraging greater participation by women in sport, particularly in disciplines linked to the sea. The event is non-competitive and is open both to experienced athletes and to women looking to try a new sport for the first time.
Throughout the weekend, La Ballena Alegre’s beach, the sea, swimming pools and sports facilities hosted a wide-ranging programme of activities. Windsurfing, kitesurfing, wingfoiling, catamaran sailing, paddleboarding, surfing, open-water swimming, freediving, scuba diving, fitness, CrossFit, surfskating, yoga and SUP Yoga were among the disciplines available to participants.
One of the event’s most iconic moments is the Sunrise Paddle Surf, a shared experience that brings hundreds of women together on the water to watch the sunrise. The sporting programme was complemented by a range of wellbeing and self-care activities.
Sweet Aloha also includes the “Conèixer per a Preservar” (“Learn to Preserve”) initiative, which connects sport with education about the marine environment, biodiversity and the importance of protecting the natural surroundings. This year’s edition featured the Som Mar team, made up of professionals working in biology and marine conservation.
The programme also included a round-table discussion on women and careers linked to the sea with Pat Bros, Polynesian dance, live music and a variety of activities designed to encourage participants to meet, connect and share the experience.
The event also brings together a network of local clubs, organisations, athletes and professionals. These include Club Natació l’Escala-Empúries, which takes part in disciplines such as open-water swimming, artistic swimming, freediving and diving. Activities related to wind sports also featured specialist professionals and the participation of ION CLUB Golf de Roses.
The BAM Resorts philosophy
“Sweet Aloha fits perfectly with the way we see La Ballena Alegre: as a place where the sea and nature are part of the experience, and where sport offers a way to discover the surroundings, share experiences and build a sense of community. Hosting an event for ten years that has continued to grow and introduce new disciplines also allows us to help give greater visibility to women’s sport,” explains Toni Castellar, Operations Director at BAM Resorts.
La Ballena Alegre is part of BAM Resorts, a family-owned hospitality group with seven decades of experience in outdoor tourism. The company manages several tourism destinations and has developed a model that combines accommodation, experiences and services, with a long-term commitment to quality, sustainability and integration with the natural environment.
