🥇 The Origin of the Sella River International Descent: An Adventure That Became Legend
🎉 The Sella River International Descent is one of the world’s most iconic canoeing competitions, held every first Saturday of August between the Asturian towns of Arriondas and Ribadesella. But how did this incredible story begin?
🚣♂️ It all started in 1929 when Dionisio de la Huerta decided to take a canoe trip on the Piloña River, from Coya to Infiesto. He was joined by several friends, covering a 5-kilometer stretch over more than two hours.
🏞️ Thrilled by the experience, Dionisio convinced Alfonso Argüelles and Manés Fernández to attempt the first descent of the Sella River, paddling downstream from Arriondas. That early descent was filled with stops to empty water from the canoe, while a group of friends followed them by bus along the road between Arriondas and Ribadesella.
📍 In Soto de Dueñas they had to stop after covering 14 km in 7 hours, enjoying the river and the Asturian landscape. But the seed had been planted.
🏁 In 1930, Dionisio completed the route from Coya to Arriondas, and in 1931, he managed to reach Ribadesella.
🥇 It was in 1932 that the official start in Arriondas and finish in Ribadesella were established, marking the first competitive edition of the Sella Descent, with thirteen paddlers from Oviedo, Gijón, Ribadesella, and Infiesto. By 1935, the first paddlers from outside Asturias were signing up.
🔥 What began as a friendly challenge among friends evolved into what we now know as the Fiesta de las Piraguas—a sporting and cultural event of international renown.
📣 You can listen to the official announcement of the Sella Descent, featuring the voice of Dionisio de la Huerta, the visionary who started this tradition:
🎩 Want to see Dionisio de la Huerta’s original outfit—the hat, necklace, and vest?
Here you can explore the founder’s authentic attire, a key figure in the history of this great Asturian festival.
🚣♂️ Today, the Sella River International Descent is declared an International Tourist Interest Festival and is considered the world’s most important river descent event.
📜 We remember the unforgettable words of Dionisio de la Huerta about this unique celebration:
The Sella is not, nor does it want to be, a spectacle. On the contrary (which doesn’t mean it isn’t spectacular): IT’S A FESTIVAL.
No one runs it alone; rather, it is made by everyone together. Those who come to the Sella are not spectators, but ACTORS. It is the crowd that makes the Sella something unique, different from everything else. The scenery, the crowd, the atmosphere, the necklaces, etc.—that is the Sella.
— Dionisio de la Huerta (Founder of the Descent)
🧭 Use our menu or explore our website to learn all about the Sella River International Descent:
- 🛶 Its history year by year
- 📍 The full route
- 👥 The participants
- 🏁 Start and finish locations
- 🚂 The river train
- 🎺 Verses and the official announcement
- 🏆 Winners and records
- 🎽 The parade and the Allume
- 🚩 The flag-raising ceremony
- 🎉 The night party
Everything you need to know about the Sella River International Descent is on sellavirtual.com, the definitive website for the Sella River.
tag: history of the international descent of the river sella – sella descent history- international sella descent 2025
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