19/11/2020
We skirt the coast of Villajoyosa with Cristina Lazarraga, European jet ski champion
After the November Equinox, the day has dawned cloudy at the Hotel Montiboli, but the fantastic temperatures of the Alicante autumn still allow us to enjoy the sea and sports on our coast. How about being able to do it in a different way?
Today we skirt the coastline of our municipality, touring the fantastic coves and beaches of Villajoyosa aboard a jet ski and with exceptional company, Cristina Lazarraga, European runner-up in jet ski in 2020 and champion in 2019.
Have you ever considered it? Why not enjoy our suggestions for your next visit to Villajoyosa? and contemplate a unique perspective of the coastline only reserved for lovers of adrenaline.
The Jet ski, the perfect companion for leisure time and sport
Our journey begins in the fishing port of Villajoyosa early in the morning, when the last boats are still setting sail and we are about to discover some panoramic views never seen from the mainland. They say that everything looks more beautiful from the sea and today we are ready to check it out.
If you've never been aboard a jet ski, don't worry, all you need is the desire to have a good time. The friends of Todajet, a benchmark in the jet ski rental sector in Villajoyosa, give you what you need to embark, and only a few minutes from the Montiboli hotel, because every time you come to visit us, we want to surprise you with a new and fantastic experience.
Our route begins and Cristina gives us an exhibition of mastery riding the waves at breakneck speed. For her, this has been an atypical year, as she had to stop her training for months while she saw important commitments such as the Jet Ski World Championship being cancelled in which this year for the first time an exclusively women's category was going to be held, something for which Lazarraga has fought a lot for and that would have marked a before and after for women's jet ski.
But showing off her optimistic character, she has already set her sights on April 2021, when the celebration of the World Cup in Sardinia is scheduled to resume.
An example of improvement in a surprising sport
Cristina is professionally dedicated to the world of communication and advertising, but her dream has always been closely linked to the sea. Her father, also a jet ski pilot, instilled in her a love for this sport from a young age and although at first, he was reluctant to have her become his successor in the world of racing, Cristina today has the support of her people and has become an icon by claiming the presence of women in this sport, but there is still a long way to go.
“Although the Spanish Federation supports us by including the women's category, only two women participated in all of Spain and in the end, we ended up competing against the men. In motor sports, women are always in the minority, and if you add that it is an unknown sport, we have all the ingredients. My goal is not only to make the sport grow in the media, which is much needed, but in this way to make it accessible to many more girls."
Little by little we are leaving behind the image of the old town of Villajoyosa with its unmistakable coloured houses and we head south to visit the coves that surround our Pearl of the Mediterranean. The cliffs, the old towers and the postcard beaches follow one another, leaving images to remember and while we take the opportunity to learn a little more about the sport of jet skiing.
“Although we all have in mind what a jet ski is, it is a completely unknown sport. It is a wonderful discipline in which you do a lot of physical exercise, you enjoy the sea in a different way and it has that special extra, in the enormous amount of adrenaline it brings you. It is something that everyone has seen, wanted to do or caught their attention, but has not taken the step."
The calm sea hardly moves, giving us the ideal tapestry to practice this great sport. We stop our journey to enjoy the views of Bol Nou, Paradís and L'Esperrelló while Cristina confesses that she is in love with the Costa Blanca, its light, its sea and its essence, and all this has made her leave Madrid to settle by our sea and be able to enjoy it every day.
“I used to come and go, but in February I decided to settle here for good to be able to train every day. What better place than by the sea to stay."
The sea is always a pleasure and Lazarraga emphasizes the importance of respect for the natural environment, and for other people who are in the water, when practicing this sport. We are not talking about something insignificant as in this category, speeds of 90km / h can be reached over the sea, with all that this entails.
“There are people who have never driven a jet ski, who see it as a toy, try it and have accidents. That attitude has clouded the projection of this sport, but at the same time, thanks to the rentals, many people have had the opportunity to ride one, and discovering that it is worth trying."
The bathers, who enjoy from the shore, smile every time Cristina surpasses her position, leaving behind a spectacular wake. Her dream is to win the World Cup next spring and continue fighting to give visibility to women in this sport as the only Spanish woman who competes internationally. Lazarraga admits to being aware that hard work is necessary to achieve this, but she has been trying hard for a long time and although anything can happen in races, there is no one to stop her.
It has been a pleasure to meet Cristina and share her passion for this sport, we said goodbye after reaching the impressive Cala del Charco and enjoying its views. If you want to live the experience and try this sport in person, do not hesitate to visit Villajoyosa and be part of our paradise.
And if you have been bitten by the bug, Cristina (@crislazarraga33 on Instagram) offers to help anyone who wants to start.
“If you're really interested, it's simple and wonderful. I'm sure that if you feel a little attracted and start you will quickly get hooked."
Thank you very much for teaching us a little more about this sport and showing us its full potential. Without a doubt, we will be repeating it.
