The bay of Torre del Mar will host the twenty-sixth edition of this non-competitive event on Saturday, August 1, in memory of the historic swimmer and local figure Pepe Fajardo.
The coastal town of Torre del Mar, in the municipality of Vélez-Málaga, is preparing to host a new edition of the Pepe Fajardo Swimming Crossing. The event will take place on Saturday, August 1, and will maintain the non-competitive format that has characterised it for over two decades. The main course will be 1,500 metres in the Torre del Mar bay, starting from the lighthouse area.
The official presentation of the event took place this Thursday with the presence of the mayor of Vélez-Málaga, Jesús Lupiáñez; the first deputy mayor and deputy mayor of Torre del Mar, Jesús Pérez Atencia; and the technician from the Axarquía Swimming Club, José Antonio Díaz. Also present were the councillor for Sports, Manuel Gutiérrez; the secretary of the Torre del Mar Nautical Club, Pablo Temboury; and Ascensión Fajardo, daughter of the honouree, along with representatives from collaborating entities and family members.
The organisation is managed by the Axarquía Swimming Club, with the collaboration of the Vélez-Málaga City Council, the Torre del Mar Deputy Mayor's Office, the Sports Department, the Beaches Delegation, and the Torre del Mar Nautical Club. The activity has established itself as one of the most emblematic events in the municipality's sports calendar.
Mayor Jesús Lupiáñez expressed his satisfaction with the continuation of a tribute to his uncle, Pepe Fajardo. “It gives me immense joy that, after twenty-six editions, we continue to keep the spirit of Pepe Fajardo alive, his optimism, his strength, his perseverance, and that way of being that managed to unite generations of different ages around sport,” he declared.
Lupiáñez highlighted the conditions of the Torre del Mar bay for swimming and defended the participatory nature of the event. “Time has shown that the best thing is to continue celebrating it as a gathering and a meeting place, without a competitive nature, where the most experienced swimmers, the youngest, and families can come together,” he explained. He also noted that the initiative promotes Torre del Mar as an attractive destination for sport and healthy living.
Jesús Pérez Atencia, deputy mayor of Torre del Mar, emphasised that the crossing “not only promotes sports practice and healthy habits, but also keeps alive the memory of a beloved figure, a reference of commitment, perseverance, and love for the sea and this land.” He invited citizens, clubs, and families to participate in this day of togetherness.
The technician from the Axarquía Swimming Club, José Antonio Díaz, detailed the programme: the day will begin at the Torre del Mar Nautical Club facilities, from where participants will walk to the lighthouse. There, the main crossing of 1,500 metres will start. A special start has also been planned for the prebenjamín and benjamín categories, with a shorter course suitable for their ages.
“It is a non-competitive crossing and a day of togetherness where families, current swimmers, former club athletes, and friends of Pepe gather. We all share a good time around swimming and his memory,” Díaz affirmed.
The XXVI Pepe Fajardo Swimming Crossing has become a reference for swimming enthusiasts in the Axarquía region. The event pays tribute to Pepe Fajardo, a person closely linked to the Axarquía Swimming Club, the Torre del Mar Nautical Club, and the social and sporting life of the municipality. His legacy remains alive edition after edition, bringing together swimmers of all ages in a festive and family-friendly atmosphere.
For those interested in participating, registration is free and can be done through the Axarquía Swimming Club or on the day of the event at the Nautical Club facilities. It is recommended to arrive early to warm up and receive safety instructions. The organisation will provide refreshments and water surveillance services.
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