Canary Islands · Sports events

Sport
moves us.

We create, organise and promote sporting experiences that connect athletes, destinations and communities.

Event photography · Ocean Waves

From the first idea to the finish line.

We are a Canary Islands company specialising in sports event organisation, consultancy and sports marketing.

We take each project from planning through delivery, with close attention to the experience of athletes, partners and spectators.

Jordi González, founder and CEO, brings experience in organising sporting events dating back to 1991. His earlier work, including the launch of Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme, helped shape Ocean Wave, founded in 2013.

Events and projects

A selection of Ocean Wave projects and the founder’s earlier work.

  • Challenge Fuerteventura · 2011–2016 Six editions of triathlon on the island. Explore the story and people ↓
  • Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria · since 2016 International triathlon in southern Gran Canaria. Explore the winners ↓
  • Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme · from 2009 Before Ocean Wave: co-founding the event, designing its courses and directing the race. Explore the project ↓
  • Fuerteventura Coast2Coast · 2012–2016 A coast-to-coast trail event with distances of up to 90 km. Explore the project ↓
  • Lighthouse Classic Triathlon · first held in 2012 A Playitas triathlon centred on the Faro de la Entallada. Explore the event ↓
  • Powerman Las Palmas Our founder contributed before Ocean Wave was established.
  • Gran Canaria Half Marathon Ocean Wave’s founder helped establish the race; the full marathon distance was added later.

Remarkable names. Remarkable stories.

Olympic champions, world champions and stars from other sports who raced at Challenge Fuerteventura or Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria. Some won here; others belong to our story because they took part.

Mogán 2021 · Winner

Jan Frodeno

Olympic gold medallist at Beijing 2008 and IRONMAN World Champion. He won at Mogán in 2021.

View Mogán winners ↗
Mogán 2021 · Winner

Nicola Spirig

Olympic gold in London 2012 and silver in Rio 2016. She won at Mogán in 2021.

Read the race report ↗
Fuerteventura 2015 · Winner

Daniela Ryf

IRONMAN World Champion and winner of Challenge Fuerteventura in 2015.

Read the race report ↗
Explore more Hall of Fame figures ↓
Fuerteventura 2011 and 2012 · Winner

Rasmus Henning

European triathlon champion in 2004. He won the first two editions of Challenge Fuerteventura.

View World Triathlon profile ↗
Mogán 2017 · Winner

Alistair Brownlee

Two-time Olympic champion, in London 2012 and Rio 2016. He won at Mogán in 2017.

View winners ↗
Mogán 2023 · Winner

Anne Haug

IRONMAN World Champion and winner of Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria in 2023.

Read the race report ↗
Fuerteventura 2013 · Winner

Lisa Nordén

Olympic silver medallist at London 2012 and Challenge Fuerteventura winner in 2013.

View result ↗
Mogán 2021 · Participant

Patrick Lange

IRONMAN World Champion. He finished fourth at Mogán in 2021.

View the race ↗
Fuerteventura 2015 · Participant

Natascha Badmann

Six-time IRONMAN World Champion in Hawaii. She started Challenge Fuerteventura in 2015.

Read the race report ↗
Mogán 2017 · Runner-up

Lucy Charles-Barclay

IRONMAN World Champion in Kona in 2023. She finished second at Mogán in 2017, just six seconds behind the winner.

View result ↗
Mogán 2023 · Winner

Sam Laidlow

IRONMAN World Champion in Nice in 2023. He also won Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria that year.

Read the race report ↗
Mogán 2018 · Winner

Pablo Dapena

Long-distance triathlon world champion in 2018. He also won Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria that year.

View results ↗
Mogán 2017 & 2019 · Winner

Emma Pallant-Browne

Duathlon world champion in 2015, 2016 and 2023. Winner of Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria in 2017 and 2019.

View results ↗
Mogán 2022 · Winner

Sara Pérez Sala

Olympic swimmer representing Spain at Athens 2004, before moving into professional triathlon. Winner of Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria in 2022.

Discover her story ↗

Each athlete’s entry identifies their connection to the race. The full winners list records the champions by year.

Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme Long-distance triathlon · Calella · from 2009

Jordi González was one of the founders of Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme. He helped create the event from the beginning, designed its courses and served as race director for the inaugural long-distance race in Calella in 2009. It combined a Mediterranean swim, cycling along the Maresme coast and a final marathon. A contemporary report explicitly identifies him as race director.

He recalls continuing to work on several editions. In 2014, the organiser was acquired and the Calella races continued under the Ironman brand. This chapter came before the Challenge projects in the Canary Islands and before Ocean Wave was founded.

Read the 2009 report ↗ · Background on the 2014 brand change ↗

Calella location photo, not the race. Photo: Oblam · CC BY-SA 3.0. Adapted framing.

Fuerteventura Coast2Coast Trail running · Fuerteventura · 2012–2016

A mountain race created to reveal Fuerteventura from coast to coast. Its flagship event connected Playitas and Ajuy through volcanic tracks, ravines and some of the island’s most distinctive landscapes, with the start and finish at Playitas Resort.

Ocean Wave contributed to the organisation and direction alongside Playitas Resort and a large team positioned throughout the course. The programme offered four distances for different levels of trail runner.

90 kmUltra marathon
42 kmTrail marathon
20 kmTrail
10 kmEntry distance
Lighthouse Classic Triathlon Triathlon · Fuerteventura · 2012

Lighthouse Classic Triathlon began in 2012 at Playitas, Fuerteventura. The race combined a bay swim, cycling through the Tuineje area and a run up to the Faro de la Entallada lighthouse. Our founder was involved in this early stage alongside the Playitas Resort team, before Ocean Wave was established.

The event grew through its early editions and brought together professional and amateur athletes. The Canary Islands Triathlon Federation documented the first edition and the growth of the third in 2014.

First edition, 2012 ↗ · Third edition, 2014 ↗

The winners of our races.

Elite victories, year by year, at Challenge Fuerteventura and Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria. Meet more remarkable athletes who raced with us ↗

Challenge Fuerteventura Elite women’s and men’s winners · 2011–2016

From the first edition in 2011 to the final race in 2016: the women’s and men’s champions of Challenge Fuerteventura.

Inaugural edition
2011

The first victories

Men’s champion

Rasmus Henning

Denmark · Also won in 2012

Rasmus Henning celebrating at the Challenge Fuerteventura finish
Women’s champion

Eva Ledesma

Spain · Winner of the inaugural edition

Eva Ledesma running at Challenge Fuerteventura
Second edition
2012

Henning wins again

Men’s champion

Rasmus Henning

Denmark · Second consecutive win

Rasmus Henning celebrating his 2012 victory
Women’s champion

Emma-Kate Lidbury

Great Britain

Emma-Kate Lidbury crossing the finish line in 2012
Third edition
2013

Two new champions

Men’s champion

Jens Toft

Denmark

Jens Toft celebrating his victory in 2013
Women’s champion

Lisa Nordén

Sweden

Lisa Nordén celebrating her victory in 2013
Fourth edition
2014

2014 winners

Men’s champion

Andreas Dreitz

Germany

Andreas Dreitz running at Challenge Fuerteventura 2014
Women’s champion

Camilla Pedersen

Denmark

Camilla Pedersen celebrating her victory at the Challenge Fuerteventura 2014 finish
Fifth edition
2015

2015 winners

Men’s champion

Jonathan Ciavattella

Italy

Jonathan Ciavattella celebrating at the Challenge Fuerteventura 2015 finish
Women’s champion

Daniela Ryf

Switzerland

Daniela Ryf celebrating her Challenge Fuerteventura 2015 victory
Final edition
2016

The final champions

Men’s champion

Andreas Böcherer

Germany

Andreas Böcherer after finishing Challenge Fuerteventura 2016
Women’s champion

Anja Beranek

Germany

Anja Beranek running towards the Challenge Fuerteventura 2016 finish

Sources: historical winners (2011), DSW12 (2012), FECANTRI (2013) and PTO (2014–2016).

Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria Elite winners · 2016–2026

From the inaugural race in 2016 to the most recent edition in 2026, these are the elite winners. The official roll of honour does not list a 2020 edition.

Year Men’s elite winner Women’s elite winner
2016 Thomas Steger Emma Bilham
2017 Alistair Brownlee Emma Pallant-Browne
2018 Pablo Dapena González Yvonne van Vlerken
2019 Pieter Heemeryck Emma Pallant-Browne
2021 Jan Frodeno Nicola Spirig
2022 Mika Noodt Sara Pérez Sala
2023 Sam Laidlow Anne Haug
2024 Iestyn Harrett Marta Lagownik
2025 William Draper Marta Lagownik
2026 Damien Le Mesnager Caroline Pohle

Sources: official champions 2016–2025 and official race report 2026.

Latest news.

News from our projects and the wider triathlon, events and sports tourism sector.

Gran Canaria WorldTour Cycling Camp: a week on the bike with Angela Naeth and Alfredo Montes

From 25 to 31 January 2027, Challenge Canarias invites a small group to discover the island by bike.

Read story ↗

The Gran Canaria WorldTour Cycling Camp will bring cyclists and triathletes together from 25 to 31 January 2027. Professional triathlete and coach Angela Naeth and local ride leader Alfredo Montes, founder of I’M PEDAL, will guide a week of coastal and mountain routes with ride options adapted to the group.

The package includes six nights at Anfi Tauro Emerald, daily breakfast, ride nutrition, mechanical assistance and airport transfers within the scheduled windows. It is designed for riders who want to cycle on consecutive days, explore Gran Canaria and share the experience with a small group.

The announced package price is €2,400 per rider. The full programme, terms and availability are on the camp page.

Information supplied by the camp promoters for this story. Check the camp page for current terms and places before booking.

View programme and availability ↗

Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria 2027 reaches 226 active registrations

Registration momentum is growing, with confirmed participants representing 24 nationalities.

Read story ↗

As of 26 September 2026, the Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria 2027 register contains 226 active entries: 214 confirmed and another 12 marked “pending payment” despite being recorded as paid in the report. Three cancelled entries are excluded from this total.

Comparing confirmed entries at the same point before race day, the 214 for 2027 are 224.2% higher than the 66 recorded for the 2026 edition. This is a snapshot at an equivalent point in time, not a forecast of the final field.

Of the 214 confirmed entries analysed in the infographic, 69.6% of participants live outside the Canary Islands and 24 nationalities are represented. The Middle/100 distance accounts for 175 entries and the Short/50 for 39. A further 43 confirmed entries include an accommodation package.

The response from athletes across countries strengthens the link between sport and Gran Canaria ahead of the next edition.

Registration report dated 26 September 2026. Percentages, nationalities and distances refer only to the 214 confirmed entries covered by the infographic.

Explore the event ↗

Gran Canaria joins the 2027 Triathlon World Tour T100 Challenger calendar

Challenge Family’s announcement lists the Gran Canaria race on 17–18 April in the new international tier, with its local organiser remaining in place.

Read story ↗

On 25 September 2026, Challenge Family announced the initial 2027 T100 Challenger calendar. Its 15 events include “Gran Canaria Triathlon” on 17–18 April. The schedule also features Peguera-Mallorca on 16–17 October alongside races in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.

The T100 Challenger events come from Challenge Family and will race under Triathlon World Tour names while retaining their organisers and host cities. The announcement also lists 15 T50 Cup events; Challenge Family put the broader 2027 calendar at 48 races at the time of publication.

In Gran Canaria, Ocean Wave is preparing Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria for the same weekend: age group racing is planned for Saturday 17 April, followed by the professional race on Sunday 18 April. The new tier gives the event an international platform and offers professional athletes a pathway within the tour.

Challenge Family names the event “Gran Canaria Triathlon” in its calendar. Tour dates and structure: official announcement of 25 September 2026. Race-day split: Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria event plan.

Read Challenge Family’s announcement ↗
Explore Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria ↗

Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria 2027 will race over two days

Age group athletes will compete on Saturday 17 April, followed by the professional race on Sunday 18 April.

Read story ↗

The next edition of Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria will give age group and professional athletes their own race days. This format creates more space on the course and gives each race greater visibility.

Join us in Gran Canaria on 17 and 18 April 2027.

Event information ↗

World Triathlon and Deloitte set out a new direction for triathlon events

Their study calls for richer experiences for athletes and spectators, broader participation and a more coordinated commercial structure.

Read story ↗

World Triathlon presented The Future of World Triathlon, a study developed with Deloitte, in Hamburg on 11 July 2025. It identifies challenges including a fragmented landscape, limited digital reach and untapped potential in mass participation events.

Its proposals include a more unified commercial ecosystem, festival-style events with digital experiences, stronger connections with athletes and fans through content and data, and greater investment in mass participation and emerging formats.

For organisers working in sports destinations, the study invites us to consider the whole event experience: the course, community, accompanying visitors and connection with the destination. This is Ocean Wave’s interpretation of the proposals, not a measured economic finding for the Canary Islands.

Originally published by World Triathlon on 11 July 2025. The study makes recommendations; it does not announce changes already implemented at every event.

Read World Triathlon’s story ↗
Read the full report ↗

Button races Challenge Fuerteventura and withdraws during the run

A race-day report covered his participation and withdrawal after muscle pain in one leg.

Read summary ↗

The 2009 Formula One world champion started at Las Playitas on 26 April 2014. He completed the swim and the 90-kilometre bike leg before withdrawing during the run with muscle pain in one leg. Andreas Dreitz and Camilla Pedersen won the men’s and women’s races.

Archive: our summary of Antena 3’s race report, published on 26 April 2014. Original article in Spanish.

Read the original Antena 3 report ↗

Jenson Button meets schoolchildren in Fuerteventura

On the eve of the race, the driver visited a school in Gran Tarajal and answered questions from around 700 pupils.

Read summary ↗

On 25 April 2014, Button met schoolchildren in Tuineje before racing Challenge Fuerteventura. The visit brought the event’s story beyond the course and connected local young people with Formula One and triathlon.

Archive: our summary of an EFE report published by Mundo Deportivo on 25 April 2014. Original article in Spanish.

Read the original Mundo Deportivo report ↗

Jenson Button confirmed for Challenge Fuerteventura

Contemporary coverage announced that the 2009 Formula One world champion would race the fourth edition on 26 April.

Read summary ↗

The announcement named the British McLaren Mercedes driver among the participants in Challenge Fuerteventura 2014. The race started and finished at Playitas Resort in Tuineje. His presence brought attention to the event and the island as a sporting destination.

Archive: our summary of a Europa Press report published by 20minutos on 1 April 2014; photograph from the Ocean Waves archive. Original article in Spanish.

Read the original 20minutos report ↗

Ocean Wave managed protocol at the Gran Canaria SSL Gold Cup

The inaugural SSL Gold Cup brought international sailing to Gran Canaria; Ocean Wave was responsible for protocol at this world-class event.

Read story ↗

From 10 November to 3 December 2023, Gran Canaria hosted the final series of the SSL Gold Cup, a nations-based sailing competition with athletes from five continents. Hungary became the inaugural champion, with Spain finishing fourth.

Ocean Wave was responsible for protocol at the event. Working on a sporting occasion of this scale drew on our experience in an area where attention to people, ceremonies and institutional representation matters.

The Gran Canaria SSL Gold Cup demonstrated the island’s capacity to host major international sporting events and brought its sporting profile to a worldwide audience.

Ocean Wave story published in 2026 about the 2023 event. Ocean Wave’s protocol role is based on the company’s first-hand account.

Canary Sailing Federation feature (Spanish) ↗ · World Sailing final report ↗

The first Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme in Calella

A contemporary report identifies him as race director at the debut long-distance event in Calella.

Read summary ↗

The inaugural Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme brought a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike leg and marathon to Calella. Marcel Zamora and Sofie Goos won. TradeSport’s contemporary report identified Jordi González as race director and recorded his assessment of an event held in heat and humidity. This was part of Jordi’s professional career before the Canary Islands Challenge projects. The role is attributed to him personally; Ocean Wave is not presented as the organiser of that edition.

Summary of a contemporary report in TradeSport, 05/10/2009. Jordi González’s race-director role is attributed to him personally, not to Ocean Wave.

Read the original report ↗

Fuerteventura begins its Challenge story with Rasmus Henning and Eva Ledesma

The 2011 Las Playitas debut was won by the Danish athlete and the Spanish triathlete.

Read summary ↗

The first Challenge Las Playitas Fuerteventura took place on 30 April 2011, starting and finishing in Tuineje. Rasmus Henning won the men’s race and Eva Ledesma the women’s race. Contemporary coverage marked the beginning of the Challenge story in the Canary Islands, also recorded in our winners list.

Summary of a contemporary report in Slowtwitch, 2011.

Read the original report ↗

Henning defends his Fuerteventura title as Emma-Kate Lidbury wins the women’s race

The second edition strengthened the race’s place on the international middle-distance calendar.

Read summary ↗

Rasmus Henning won Challenge Fuerteventura again in 3:57:16, improving on his 2011 time. Britain’s Emma-Kate Lidbury took the women’s title in 4:32:41. A race-day report highlighted Henning’s pace on the bike and the event’s return to Las Playitas.

Summary of a contemporary report in Slowtwitch, 14/04/2012.

Read the original report ↗

Jens Toft and Lisa Norden win Challenge Fuerteventura

The Swedish world champion and Olympic medallist joined the island race’s roll of honour.

Read summary ↗

Denmark’s Jens Toft and Sweden’s Lisa Norden won the 2013 edition. The Canarian Triathlon Federation reported that Toft led the men’s race throughout, while Norden, a silver medallist at London 2012, won the women’s race. Their participation strengthened the event’s appeal to elite and amateur athletes.

Summary of a contemporary report in FECANTRI, 2013.

Read the original report ↗

Daniela Ryf and Jonathan Ciavattella win Challenge Fuerteventura 2015

The course passed through Gran Tarajal, with just 18 seconds separating the top two men.

Read summary ↗

Jonathan Ciavattella won the men’s race in 4:02:52, just 18 seconds ahead of Ritchie Nicholls. Daniela Ryf took the women’s title. The event report highlighted the passage through Gran Tarajal and the demanding climb to El Cardón, with the start and finish at Playitas Resort.

Summary of a contemporary report in Challenge Fuerteventura, 2015.

Read the original report ↗

Challenge arrives in Mogán: Thomas Steger and Emma Bilham lead the first roll of honour

The first Gran Canaria edition took place around Amadores beach.

Read summary ↗

Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria held its first island edition in 2016. Thomas Steger won the middle-distance men’s race in 4:14:25 and Emma Bilham the women’s race in 4:42:30. The Canarian Triathlon Federation reported a field including local, mainland Spanish and international athletes around Amadores beach.

Summary of a contemporary report in FECANTRI, 19/09/2016.

Read the original report ↗

Alistair Brownlee and Emma Pallant win Mogán’s international field

The second edition drew more than 400 athletes from 24 nationalities, according to contemporary coverage.

Read summary ↗

Two-time Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee and Emma Pallant won the second Gloria Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria. A race-day EFE report recorded more than 400 triathletes representing 24 nationalities on the Mogán coast.

Summary of a contemporary report in EFE / elDiario.es, 22/04/2017.

Read the original report ↗

Jan Frodeno and Nicola Spirig shine at Anfi Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria

The 2021 race brought international middle-distance racing back at an exceptional time.

Read summary ↗

Jan Frodeno and Nicola Spirig won the 2021 edition. Contemporary coverage highlighted the return of international middle-distance racing in Europe after pandemic restrictions and the strength of the professional field in Mogán.

Summary of a contemporary report in PTO, 2021.

Read the original report ↗

Sam Laidlow and Anne Haug open the season with victories in Mogán

The 2023 race again put the Gran Canaria course in the international triathlon spotlight.

Read summary ↗

Sam Laidlow won the men’s race in 3:40:27 and Anne Haug the women’s race in 4:05:38. The organiser’s report highlighted the demands of the Anfi Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria course and the strength of the professional field opening the international season.

Summary of a contemporary report in Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria, 22/04/2023.

Read the original report ↗

Behind the scenes at Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria

A pre-race interview explores preparation and the importance of having a backup plan.

Read summary ↗

Less than 48 hours before the 2024 race, event director Jordi González discussed setup, logistics and coordination on the island. The interview covered preparations, growth in women’s participation and his ambition to showcase Mogán as a destination for sport.

Summary of a contemporary report in Planeta Triatlón / Guía Maratón, 18/04/2024.

Read the original report ↗

Powerman Gran Canaria brought international duathlon to Las Palmas

Contemporary calendars list the event in Las Palmas in November 1999 and 2000.

Read summary ↗

International duathlon calendars list Powerman Gran Canaria in Las Palmas on 7 November 1999 and 5 November 2000, with a 10 km run, 60 km bike leg and a final 10 km run. Jordi González recalls contributing to these editions as part of his career before Ocean Wave.

Dates and distances come from calendars published in 1999 and 2000; Jordi’s involvement is based on his account.

1999 calendar ↗ · 2000 calendar ↗

XTERRA Euskadi brought mountain triathlon to Bakio

The second edition belonged to the international circuit and offered qualifying places for Hawaii.

Read summary ↗

Bakio hosted the second XTERRA Euskadi on 29 July 2006. A contemporary preview described a 1.5 km swim, 26 km mountain-bike leg and 11 km run, with athletes including Eneko Llanos. Jordi González recalls contributing to XTERRA events during this period.

Event details are from Europa Press (26 July 2006); Jordi’s involvement is based on his account.

Read the Europa Press report ↗

Orbea XTERRA Tour concluded in Lanzarote

The Canary Islands race was the finale of a five-event off-road triathlon series.

Read summary ↗

Lanzarote hosted the final round of the 2006 Orbea XTERRA Tour after races in mainland Spain and Portugal. A contemporary report covered the international field and the series standings. A video also preserves footage of the Marbella race that year. Jordi González recalls collaborating on the project before founding Ocean Wave.

The series details come from Sierra de Guadarrama and the Marbella video; Jordi’s involvement is based on his account.

Lanzarote race report ↗ · Marbella 2006 video ↗

XTERRA Mexico in our founder’s earlier career

Work connected to XTERRA Mexico during this period, according to his account.

Read summary ↗

Jordi’s XTERRA experience also took him to a project in Mexico around 2007, according to his recollection. Historical records show XTERRA races in Mexico in 2006 and a later championship from 2009. The exact date and scope of his involvement await further documentation.

The involvement and approximate date are based on Jordi González’s account; the external link documents the event’s history, not his personal role.

XTERRA Mexico history ↗

The half marathon that paved the way for Gran Canaria Marathon

Jordi González recalls helping to establish the Gran Canaria Half Marathon before Ocean Wave existed.

Read story ↗

Jordi places the origins of the Gran Canaria Half Marathon around the turn of the century and describes himself as one of its founders. A contemporary report from December 2008 called the January 2009 race its eighth edition. The series established an event, a volunteer base and a place for distance running in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria before the full marathon was added in 2010.

Jordi’s role and the approximate period come from his account. The 2008 report documents the eighth edition and the planned transition; it does not establish the exact founding year or name the founders.

Read the 2008 report ↗

From the eighth Gran Canaria Half Marathon to the 2010 marathon

A contemporary report described how the half marathon’s volunteers would help build the new full-distance event.

Read summary ↗

Organisers prepared the eighth Gran Canaria Half Marathon for 25 January 2009. The report, credited to Canarias7, said the Cabildo de Gran Canaria hoped the volunteer team would become the foundation for the Gran Canaria Marathon in 2010. The full marathon took place on 24 January 2010 alongside the half marathon and popular race, under the organisation of the Cabildo and the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council.

The 2008 report is preserved by Atletismo y algo más; the 2010 race report is from Europa Press. This is the history of the event, not a claim that Ocean Wave organised the 2010 marathon.

2008 report ↗ · 2010 race report ↗

PTO acquires a majority shareholding in Challenge Family

The acquisition brings its races into the development of the Triathlon World Tour with World Triathlon.

Read summary ↗

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) announced it had acquired a majority shareholding in Challenge Family. The plan is to include some of its races in the Triathlon World Tour, a new tour being developed by PTO in partnership with World Triathlon.

World Triathlon already existed as the sport’s international federation; it was not created by this acquisition. Challenge Family said its more than 35 races in 2026 would continue under the Challenge Family brand while the 2027 structure was prepared.

Summary of World Triathlon’s announcement published on 11 February 2026.

Read the official announcement ↗

Mogán sold out ahead of Challenge’s European season opener

The 2026 race reached capacity weeks before the event and attracted a deep professional field.

Read summary ↗

The official Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria preview, published on 15 April, said places had sold out weeks earlier. The 18 April race opened Challenge Family’s European season with professional and age-group athletes in the south of the island.

The combination of competition, accommodation and landscape illustrates how sporting events can promote a destination. The original article was a race preview, rather than a report of the eventual results.

Summary of Challenge Canarias’ official race preview of 15 April 2026.

Read the official preview ↗

Balearic Islands support sports events outside the peak season

The regional government approved a €1.2 million funding call to encourage sports tourism in quieter months.

Read summary ↗

The Government of the Balearic Islands announced €1.2 million from its Sustainable Tourism Tax to support sporting events outside the peak season. The plan was to allocate €400,000 a year from 2025 to 2027, subject to available budgets.

The initiative aims to diversify the tourism offer and attract visitors in quieter months. It shows how Mediterranean destinations are making sport part of their tourism strategies, a field also relevant to the Canary Islands and Gran Canaria.

The figure is a funding call announced in 2025, not expenditure already made or economic impact already measured.

Read the government announcement ↗

Canary Islands prioritise reach, quality and sustainability in events

Tourism authorities announced a €6.5 million event sponsorship selection process for 2026.

Read summary ↗

In September 2025, the Canary Islands government announced a selection process for events of tourism interest that could receive sponsorship in 2026, with €6.5 million earmarked. Sporting events were among the eligible activities, assessed for their ability to promote the destination as well as their quality and sustainability.

The announcement highlights the role of communications, measuring promotional reach and working with organisers in the islands’ events market. The figure was the announced budget for the process, not an award to Ocean Wave.

Summary of the Canary Islands government announcement of 18 September 2025. Original article in Spanish.

Read the government announcement ↗

Fuerteventura Coast2Coast prepared for its third edition

Playitas Resort documented four distances and more than 250 entrants for the 2014 event.

Read summary ↗

Playitas Resort’s race preview described distances of 90, 42, 20 and 10 kilometres. The ultra started at Playitas, reached Ajuy and returned to the resort across ravines and volcanic terrain. It also highlighted the volunteers and organisers preparing for the start.

The article records the scale this trail-running project reached on the island. Its figures describe pre-race entries, not the number of finishers.

Archive summary of the Playitas Resort preview published on 26 September 2014.

Read the Playitas preview ↗

Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme named Spain’s best triathlon of 2010

The Maresme County Council reported the recognition awarded by the Spanish Triathlon Federation.

Read summary ↗

In February 2011, the county council reported that Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme had been named the best triathlon event held in Spain in 2010. The race offered middle and long-distance events in the Maresme area.

This is a milestone in the history of the Calella event. The report recognises the race; it does not attribute the organisation of the 2010 edition to Ocean Wave, which was founded later.

Archive summary of the Maresme County Council report of 4 February 2011.

Read the council report ↗

Experience built on the course.

The professional experience behind Ocean Wave began before the company was established. It now guides our work in the Canary Islands.

View full timeline 1991–today
Since 1991 Our founder has been involved in organising sporting events since 1991. He was part of the organising team for Gran Canaria’s first triathlon, held on 19 May 1991 at Playa del Inglés and counting towards the Spanish Triathlon Federation’s Copa Caja Postal.
About 1995–2000 Marketing and communications adviser to Ironman Lanzarote.
1999–2000 Contributed to Powerman Gran Canaria, an international duathlon held in Las Palmas.
Around 2000 Our founder helped establish the Gran Canaria Half Marathon. The race grew through the following decade and preceded the addition of the full Gran Canaria Marathon in 2010; the exact founding year awaits a contemporary source.
From 2000 Technical director of Ironman Lanzarote. At Club La Santa he organised around six or seven events a year, including the Volcano Triathlon, Ridge Run and Lanzarote Marathon.
2005–2007 Contributed to XTERRA Euskadi, the Orbea XTERRA Tour and a project connected to XTERRA Mexico (approximate year), before founding Ocean Wave.
2009 Co-founder and race director of Challenge Costa de Barcelona-Maresme in Calella; helped design the courses and launch the event. Explore the project ↓
2012–2016 Organisation and direction of Fuerteventura Coast2Coast, a mountain race offering 90, 42, 20 and 10-kilometre distances and delivered alongside Playitas Resort.
2013 Ocean Wave Sports Marketing, S. L. was founded.
Since 2016 Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria.
Other projects Challenge Fuerteventura and Powerman Las Palmas, across the founder’s and company’s experience.
More about our founder’s experience
Club La Santa Event coordinator · 2000–2003
Cabildo de Gran Canaria Communications consultant · 2004–2007
TEAMChallenge GmbH Spain representative · 2005–2011
Challenge Canarias Director · since 2011
Free Motion National marketing manager · 2016–2018
Universidad Internacional de Canarias Event planning lecturer · since 2018
Gran Canaria Tri, Bike & Run President · 2019–2022

Our extended team.

We work with independent specialists who bring their expertise to each project. Meet some of the people behind Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria.

Portrait of Laura Bautista

Laura Bautista

Social media · Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria since 2021

The only thing I haven’t done in a triathlon is race in one.
Portrait of Alfredo Montes

Alfredo Montes

Finish-area protocol · Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria

A leading Canarian triathlete of his generation and founder of I’M PEDAL. On a bike, he knows the islands’ hidden corners like few others.

Being involved in organising an event is harder than taking part in it.
Bethan Ami Hall in Gran Canaria

Bethan Ami Hall

Professional athlete relations · Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria

As part of my work for the PTO, coming to Gran Canaria is the closest I get to a holiday. I love what I do.

Partners.

Businesses and professionals who work with us on sporting projects.

Have a sporting project in mind?

Tell us about it and let's explore how we can work together.

Controller: Ocean Wave Sports Marketing, S. L. We use your details to reply to your enquiry. Privacy information and your rights ↗