We wanted to share with you this little guide with tips on how to Train safely in Spain during the new normal! Many of you may doubt about choosing Spain’s Costa del Sol as your next destination for your triathlon training.
Málaga has always been a popular destination for sports teams in preparation and amateurs who are looking for an enjoyable sports tourism experience, we will inform you how to organize your travel to enjoy a Safe Triathlon Training in Spain
Find your best swimming option
You will find plenty of swimming options on the Costa del Sol. Our top recommendation: sea swimming! But you will also find Sports Complex with indoor and outdoor pools and even famous lakes like El Chorro.
Swimming in the sea or lakes
- Try to find a Blue Flag awarded beach. The Blue Flag system is a way of monitoring and signaling the best beaches in Europe. The blue flag is awarded to beaches that meet the Foundation’s high standard which is measured across 4 categories:
- The quality of the water
- The level of local environmental education and information on display
- The standard of the local environmental management
- Safety services available
- Make sure you know the beach or lake rules concerning social distancing as some beaches and reservoirs may require a marked-out area with little flags for you to sit in or sunbathe in. There will be monitors to ensure you are socially distanced (1.50m) and wearing a mask when moving around.
- Stay inside the yellow buoys to avoid boats, jet skis, etc.
- If you are visiting a lake, be aware if there are kayaks, paddleboards, boats, or fishermen in the area.
- Mobile phone with 112 in dialing list (this is the number for emergency services in Spain and the EU)
Torremolinos Sports complex: outdoor and indoor pools
- Make sure to book in advance due to the limited capacity. This is the best way to ensure a safe swimming session!
- Mask and hand sanitizer.
- Any user has to bring his swimsuit, cap, flip-flops, and towel.
Time to get on the bike
Cycling in Spain is amazing and unlike other countries enforces a strict, safe distance for cars to overtake cyclists, which is 1.5m.
You won’t be required to wear a mask during cycling but you will need to put your mask on when you get off your bike and walk to a restaurant, back to your villa, etc. There is a heavy fine for not having one with you, so make sure you always carry one!
Important measure: Social distance while you are riding and the group size is limited to 25 with a coach.
And remember, Fast Monkey bike rental offers all the cycling services you need to enjoy cycling on the Costa del Sol.
Some recommendations from us
- Nutrition and hydration (and mask!),
- Hand sanitizer, mobile phone, puncture repair kit, and as always, wear a helmet.
Athletics tracks, trails, and beach running in Málaga
As with cycling, is not necessary to wear a mask whilst running but you will need it while walking back home, to your car, etc. So again, always take a mask with you and keep the 1.5m social distance. This are not advices but the law!
Depending on where you are in Spain, you are allowed to run in groups of 25-40 socially distanced.
You can find proper Athletics tracks in Benalmadena, at the Polideportivo Sports Center. As with swimming, the Torremolinos Sports Complex in Torremolinos also includes some good outdoor tracks.
If you prefer a more scenic running, come along the Guadalhorce River and round the Nature Reserve. You can access to these several km’s of gravel paths from Sacaba Beach or Guadalmar. Don’t forget to enjoy the birdlife of the estuary, and even get to the beach to continue in the promenade.
There is an infinite variety of beach running options! Fuengirola’s seafront promenade (about 7km) between Fuengirola and Carvajal, with wonderful water, views the whole way. Wide and palm-lined, just dreamy!
Benalmádena to Torremolinos waterfront path runs for more than 10km from Torrequebrada to La Cizaña. The best views of the beach and Alboran sea.
The 25km of Málaga seafront promenades are among the most popular places to run on the Costa del Sol. These are really wide, multi-use paths pass beaches and parks.
In short, these ‘new normal’ training measures are not too tough. We just need a little of time to get used to them. Always remember to have some masks on hand (home, bag, car, or your bike box…) so you never forget it!. It will be easy to enjoy a Safe Triathlon Training in Spain