The Club Nàutic S’Arenal gives the money raise from Sa Milla of swimming to ELA Balears

The Club Nàutic S’Arenal (CNA) has received representatives from the ELA Balears association to give the money raising of the XX Travesía Sa Milla CNA - Cala Blava, an emblematic swimming race in open sea which was celebrated the past month in August in the mark of the 59th Great Day of Sailing - Bufete Frau.

The CNA, their president, José Ramón Picó and manager Ferran Muniesa, have been in charge hand over the cheque to the president of ELA Balears, Cati Rigo, 4,100 euros, corresponding to the contributions of the 415 swimmers who took part in the event.

“It is a great pride for the club to contribute with this cause” has declared José Ramón Picó. “Of course, after two decades, we are 100% committed to this event and very excited to continue celebrating it every year. In this twentieth edition, the weather forecast was excellent and a magnificent day dedicated to solidarity and sport was enjoyed," he recalls.

“This is the second year that ELA Balears participated in Sa Milla, and it has already changed into being one of the most important events of our annual calendar”, points out Cati Rigo. “Like last year, we will invest the money from the money raising to much-needed support items for people suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who do not have access to them by prescription, such as lifts, orthopedic products, articulated beds and shower chairs, as well as respiratory physiotherapy, which we offer free of charge to families. As a novelty, we are also allocating part of the money to respiratory physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions at home, which are services that we have reinforced throughout this year", says Rigo, who emphasizes that "we are very grateful to the club and especially to Tolo for allowing us to be part of this project".

“Sa Milla is one of the great joys that I take with me every year”, assures Tolo Bonet, father of the race and participant in nearly all the editions. “In my 83 years, I didn't participate, because I would take too long to complete the race, but I could do it perfectly. I have been swimming all my life and every day I do 1.200 meters swimming, although I can't even walk 500 meters”, Bonet ironizes, who started to compete at 12 years old and is father and grandfather of swimmers.

The Travesía Sa Milla CNA - Cala Blava, that this year has celebrated its twentieth edition in the frame of the 59th Great Day of Sailing - Bufete Frau, is a social, sporty and solidarity event celebrated since two decades ago by the club with the encouragement of Tolo Bonet, legendary figure within the swimming world and one of the most distinguished and loved members of the CNA, and whose benefits are given towards the ELA Balears association.

The race consists of a multitudinous swim from the CNA to the beach of Cala Blava, held in a festive and supportive atmosphere. In this edition, 415 swimmers of all ages and profiles took part, from amateurs to professionals and masters, who swam one nautical mile, that is, 1,852 meters exactly, between the beach of Es Caló and Cala Mosques.

The event was successful without any inconveniences nor any setbacks and in a cheerful atmosphere presided over by camaraderie, sportsmanship and solidarity. Everything went off without a hitch thanks to the good spirits of all the participants, the work of the club team and the collaboration of the Llucmajor Town Hall, Bufete Frau, Las Sirenas Restaurant, BN Mallorca and Bel Menjadors.