Navarino Challenge: Exciting Activities 2019 Event

Greek sports tourism event “Navarino Challenge” returns to Pylos, Messinia in the Peloponnese, for the  seventh consecutive year, from October 11-13, 2019.

The annual event was recently bestowed with a Gold Award at the Tourism Awards, the highest distinction in Greek tourism. Navarino Challenge enriches its program this year with innovative activities at the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor aiming at breaking the record of 7,500 athletes, visitors and volunteers.

The event’s enriched 3-day programme includes:

Open Water Swimming

Open water swimming enthusiasts will have the chance to compete in a chip-timed event on Saturday October 12, at the beautiful Navarino bay from the scenic Pylos harbour, covering the unique 1 mile (1.6 km) route of the open water swimming race by Vikos. The route has been designed by the national federal technical coach, Nikos Gemelos (the coach who has earned countless Olympic and world-class honours in open water swimming for Greece).

Challenge The Wind – Sailing Races

An interclub sailing race of triangle course with OPTIMIST and LASER 4.7 boats will be held for the first time from October 11-13. The race will be co-organized with the Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, under the aegis of the Hellenic Sailing Federation.

To be held on the second weekend of October, “Challenge The Wind”, as its name suggests, hopes to become an annual tradition and sporting benchmark for sailing competitions in the coming years.

Sea Κayaking in the Navarino Bay

The activity, to be held for the first time on Saturday October 12, will start from the port of Pylos at Poseidonia, and head to the island of Sphacteria, supported by Explore Messinia. Participants will paddle towards the inside of the bay exploring the coastline of Sphacteria.

Basketball camp with Joe Arlauckas

Basketball will be the sport of honour at the Pylos indoor basketball court.

On Sunday October 13, children from Pylos and Messinia, aged between 8 and 16 will have the opportunity to attend basketball lessons for free by the Euroleague legend Joe Arlaukas, while on Saturday, October 12, a basketball clinic will be held at Costa Navarino.

Kids’ Athletics at Pylos Square

Kids’ Athletics returns for another year to Pylos Square on Saturday October 12, with Periklis Iakovakis, the Olympic & World Champion in 400m. hurdles, as its ambassador. This is an activity that aims at getting children acquainted with track and field sports.

The Kids’ Athletics activities includes long jump, the sport of the world famous Olympic champion and legendary Kostis Tsiklitiras, who was born in Pylos, Messinia.

A Visit to the house of the Olympic champion Tsiklitiras

On Saturday October 12, 2019, visitors to Pylos can visit the refurbished family home of the Olympic champion, Kostis Tsiklitiras, now a museum housing a Library and Art Gallery with rare documents, paintings, historical maps and many interesting exhibits.

Traditional local flavours

On Saturday October 12, athletes and visitors can partake of Messinia’s rich culinary heritage as Pylos comes alive with booths celebrating local flavours: traditional lalagia, loukoums, sesame seed bars and nuts with honey, created by food blogger Mamatsita, Poseidonia and Pylos Poems.

Sunset Beach Yoga at Voidokilia

On Friday, October 11, instructor Dimitris Moros and FitnessArt hold sunset beach yoga sessions by Messinian Spa to the backdrop of the mythical Voidokilia, Messinia’s famed beach that traces the letter Omega of the Greek alphabet (written as “Ω”).

30% discount on registrations until 31/5

Runners and swimmers can act immediately to take advantage of the early bird offer by registering to a 30% discount until 31 May (children’s participation is free of charge). Entries for the award-winning sporting event are underway and interested parties can take part by completing the special form here.

Pre-sale is also available online via www.viva.gr or by phone at 11876 as well as at all Viva pre-sale points.

For more information on accommodation packages in the region visit VitaNTravel: http://vitantravel.gr/

“Navarino Challenge” has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2019 programme of the European Commission and is under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.

Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.