When we first imagined the Paddle Games, we hoped to bring something new to paddling: a format that was fast, intense, and close to the public.

On Saturday, under steady rain and grey skies, that idea was tested – and proved stronger than ever.

The weather could have ruined the day, but instead it revealed the spirit of the athletes and the belief of everyone behind the event. The crowd stayed, the paddlers raced, and the spectacle unfolded right in front of the cathedral. The course – short, tight, and demanding – rewarded those who took risks and punished hesitation. It was everything we wanted it to be: unpredictable, exciting, and human.

Messias Baptista and Csoka Csikos claimed the K1 crowns, while Deborah Kerr and Jonas Ecker triumphed in the mixed K2. The Ok Mobility team, led by Teresa Portela, Manfredi Rizza, Selma Konijn and Fernando Pimenta, took the team title. Their victories capped a day that brought together some of the best athletes in the world – more than 400 international medals and 18 Olympic ones among them.

For us at the Paddle Games team, this event is more than a race. It’s a way to bring paddling closer to people, to make it visible and alive in places like Palma, where sport and city blend naturally. Seeing the boats slicing through rain on the Parc de la Mar course confirmed that this format has a place in the sport’s future.

But our proudest moment came with the Fantasy Race, where elite paddlers teamed up with children and juniors. Watching them share boats, laugh together, and celebrate every finish reminded us why we do this. The smiles on their faces made all the effort.

None of it would have happened without Real Club Náutico de Palma. They believed in this vision from the beginning, when it was just an idea and a sketch. They took the risk with us, trusted the format, and worked tirelessly to make it happen—through uncertain forecasts, logistical challenges, and everything else that comes with organising a new kind of race. Their commitment and professionalism gave the event its backbone.

We also want to thank Nelo Kayaks for providing all the boats and the boat support team for the event. Their reliability, attention to detail, and readiness to adapt to the conditions ensured that every athlete could focus purely on racing. Having a partner like Nelo, who understands both performance and community, made an enormous difference.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this day possible. The Ciutat de Palma Trophy showed that when people believe in a shared idea, even bad weather can become part of the story.

Thank you, Carlos Borrás and Real Club Náutico de Palma, Andre Santos and Nelo Kayaks, Xavi Marroig and the FBP, the Canoeing House crew, IB3 Television, Javier Hernanz and the RFEP, Jovana Stanojevic from ECA, Pepe from QUKO, Marcos Oliveira from Memosoft, and thank you to all the companies that sponsored a team.

Thanks to all of you for believing in us and in what this format can become.