The International Descent of the River
Sella, also called the “Canoe Party”
or the “Asturias Festivity”,
is a massive party of sport-festival-youth
character between the towns of Arriondas
and Ribadesella that is held on the first
Saturday of August with the occasion of
the international level competition of
the descent of the River Sella in canoe.
From its beginnings, naturists have always
gone and it was always easy to see, for
example, people bathing naked on the urban
beach of Ribadesella (at night). This
year, ANAPA decided to organize a camp
so that naturists could meet and we enjoyed
this important event together, at the
same time as making ourselves known to
the youth that goes to this party and
we claimed the right and the freedom to
be naked in public places. So we asked
for economic help from the FEN (who granted
it) and we prepared a large banner with
the logos of the FEN and of ANAPA and
the lettering:
www.naturismo.org
ANAPA recommends the practice of integral
nudism in this area. |
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Christi |
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We rented
a coach and we looked for a suitable place
to camp in the free campsite organized
by the Ribadesella Town Hall. We put up
the tents very near one of the shower
facilities which were installed there,
and people could see our banner while
they queued for the shower which drew
a lot of attention and was the source
of a lot of amusing comments. As for those
who attended, there were naturists from
Catalonia, Castilla-León, Madrid,
Andalusia and of course Asturias.
The first day, Friday 6,
we met at the camp location, and after
putting up the tents we left for the River
Sella and on arrival we took of our clothes
and went into the water, which was very
nice. A group of girls that were there
in bikinis, on seeing us nude, copied
us and requested information on the association.
The canoeists that went by in the river
looked at us with some curiosity, and
I believe with wishes of staying with
us.
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At night,
we went to have dinner in a group to a
beautiful Asturian restaurant in Ribadesella
and to take part in the massive party
in the streets, with music for all tastes
to choose from. Like this we were able
to get to know better all the participants
in the encounter. |
The following day, on Saturday,
we caught the coach that took us to the river
to see the competition, which we did while drinking
Asturian cider, as tradition dictates. After
seeing the canoes pass by, we caught the coach
and we went to the wonderful beach of Torimbia
(in Llanes), where we bathed, sunbathed, had
something to eat in the beach bar and played
by body painting each other. At night we went
to Ribadesella again to enjoy the Asturian gastronomy
and the youth party until the early hours of
the morning (some, because José and I
were with the children who after having dinner
couldn’t take much more, the poor things
were worn out from playing so much).
On Sunday dawn broke cloudily,
so we decided to go to see the beautiful landscape
of the Asturian mountain and to visit the Lakes
of Covadonga, and the Sanctuary of Covadonga.
Then came the farewell and the wishes to meet
again.
We had a marvellous time, so we
will repeat next year and I’m sure it
will have continuity. It is an experience that
I recommend you not to miss.
Signed: Christi Peña
Secretary of ANAPA
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