The third edition of ExpoDeca, the Fair of Physical Activity and Sport of the Canary Islands, will be held from November 12 to 15 in the Plaza de la Música in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Nordic walking, particularly suited for seniors, will be one of the main highlights.
The Fair of Physical Activity and Sport of the Canary Islands, ExpoDeca, returns to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with its third edition, which will take place from November 12 to 15 in the Plaza de la Música. The event, which is free to access, focuses on Nordic walking as one of its star activities, a discipline that has proven to be especially beneficial for older adults.
The organisation, promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands through the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports, led by Poli Suárez, and organised by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria through Infecar, has confirmed that the Canary Mountain Federation will offer initiation workshops, a guided workshop for visually impaired individuals, and relay races. Nordic walking, present since the first edition, has established itself as one of the key proposals to promote physical activity among all audiences.
This modality, which involves walking with specific poles to propel oneself with the arms, originated in Nordic countries as training for skiers during snowless months. Over time, it has become a sport with multiple benefits: it improves cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and reduces impact on the joints. Additionally, its group nature makes it particularly appealing to older adults, who find in it a social and healthy form of exercise.
The Canary Mountain Federation closed the previous year with over 23,000 federation licenses, of which thousands correspond to Nordic walking practitioners. The modality has a competition calendar that brings together dozens or hundreds of participants at each event. Beyond competition, it has established itself in the Canary Islands as an activity linked to nature contact and group exercise, with the creation of specialized clubs confirming its growth in the archipelago's hiking spaces.
ExpoDeca 2026 is not limited to Nordic walking. The programme includes other confirmed disciplines such as football, bodyboarding, climbing, and paddle tennis, all with free access. Bodyboarding will take advantage of the fair's location by the sea, at one of the main spots for this sport in the Canary Islands. The agenda will expand with the participation of sports federations and will include inclusive activities to encourage participation from all visitors.
In addition to sports practice, the fair will feature the presence of companies and brands from the sector, showcasing their products and services. A programme of talks, meetings, and informative sessions led by specialists in physical activity, sport, and healthy lifestyle habits will also be developed. Universities and associations will play a prominent role in a fair that has previously taken place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The main objective of ExpoDeca 2026 is to promote the daily practice of sport and physical activity in the Canary Islands, fostering a healthy and responsible lifestyle. In September, the application period will open for educational centres to request visits to the venue during the days of Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13. The fair will be held under sustainability criteria, aligned with the 2030 Agenda, the Canary Islands Sustainable Development Strategy, and the Canary Islands Law on Physical Activity and Sport. Among the measures, responsible energy consumption, waste reduction, the use of reusable materials, and sustainable mobility will be prioritized.
ExpoDeca maintains activity throughout the year, with actions such as its participation in the Sports Summit Madrid, its incorporation as a venue for the national hyatlon circuit, or its support for the 50th anniversary of the Rally Islas Canarias, the Gran Canaria Surf No Limits, and the Sports and Health Fair of La Palma. The event in November at the Plaza de la Música promises to be a meeting point for athletes, enthusiasts, and families, with Nordic walking as one of the major attractions for seniors.
You may also like
