Club Nàutic l’Escala and ABS l’Escala promote “Blue Health” with three new therapeutic activities

16/October/2025
Category: Sport

The use of the sea is established as a community health tool, expanding physical and emotional benefits for patients with anxiety, temporary disability, and cancer. Among the initiatives, Dragon Boat stands out, aimed at people who have overcome any type of cancer.

Club Nàutic l’Escala and the Basic Health Area (ABS) of l’Escala are launching three new therapeutic nautical activities to improve the physical and emotional well-being of patients. Thus, the use of the sea and maritime activities are consolidated as a therapeutic tool and are incorporated into the community health proposals offered by ABS for the physical and emotional recovery of patients, known as “Blue Health”.

This project began with a pioneering pilot test carried out in June and July, supported by the University of Barcelona and Dipsalut, in which patients with anxiety disorders from ABS l’Escala participated in light sailing sessions at Club Nàutic l’Escala to improve their emotional well-being.

Three new activities

This October, the light sailing activity will resume and the proposals related to the sea will be expanded to address new groups of patients.

A new activity will be launched: sailing with adapted boats for people with temporary disabilities. The aim is to accelerate their recovery and improve physical condition through maritime activity.

The third proposal is Dragon Boat, which, thanks to financial support from the “la Caixa” Foundation, will be offered free of charge during the 2025-2026 season. It is a canoeing modality originating from ancient Chinese traditions, with the dragon as the main symbol. It is suitable for everyone, easy to learn, requires no prior experience, and allows paddlers to exercise outdoors, strengthening team spirit and shared goals.

This activity is aimed at people who have overcome any type of cancer, seeking to improve their quality of life and address emotional and social aspects such as teamwork and self-esteem.

In addition to funding from the “la Caixa” Foundation, Dragon Boat is made possible by the collaboration of the l’Escala Town Council and Dipsalut, the involvement of the Salut Empordà Foundation, and the logistical and technical support of Club Nàutic l’Escala.

Community health activities

These three “Blue Health” actions are part of the wide range of community health activities that ABS l’Escala resumes this October after the summer break. ABS offers around thirty proposals thanks to the collaboration of local entities such as Club Tennis Taula CER l’Escala, Club Nàutic l’Escala, and Club Rem l’Escala.

These activities include established and new proposals: from table tennis or football for people over 60, to sessions for caregivers, for chronic pain or frailty, to groups for quitting smoking, menopause, or changing eating habits, as well as mindfulness, dance therapy, and Qi Gong.