Olympic Channel
The Olympic Channel is near Castelldefels, which lies just beyond the airport about 18 kilometres south of Barcelona. It is therefore about 20/25 minutes transfer by bus from the centre. The channel itself is a stretch of water about 1.5 kilometres long specially constructed for the rowing events during the Olympic Games of '92 and there is also plenty of space available for activities around the water.
There is a large selection of team activities available, both land and water based, which can be combined according to the size of the group and the time available. On average, team competitions tend to take about 3 to 3½ hours although this can be extended or reduced according to requirements.
Water based competition elements include raft building, kayak relay races and teams using rowing boats to retrieve inflatable objects from a pontoon floating in the middle of the channel. There is also an open-air pool which can be used for water polo etc in the warmer months. The land based activities include archery, mountain bike relays, volleyball and football. There are also novelty elements like five man ski races and pedal car races. Competitions are run on a rotation basis with two or three teams at each station at any given point. Monitor/instructors supervise the activities and mark them so that an overall team winner is established.
Activity Descriptions
The Olympic Channel is suitable for a wide range of activities and so the organiser can choose the type of activity preferred to respond to weather conditions and the group profile. The number of activities which feature in organised competitions vary according to the group size and the time available. Examples include:-
Raft Building
Each team is given the basic material to construct a raft.
They then have to sail the raft to the opposite bank to retrieve a flag. Points are awarded based on speed and also for the highest number of crew members that the raft can support
Canadian Canoe
Two or three team members per vessel. After a short practice session the canoes gather at a set point in the channel and then race back to the jetty. K-2 two man kayaks are also available for a similar format of competition.
Rowing Boat Relay
Four team members in each rowing boat. The idea is to get to a floating "island" which is filled with inflatables (crocodiles, sharks etc). The winning team is that which brings back the most inflatables in a fixed time (15-20 minutes). Distracting disrupting other teams' efforts is an essential part of the test!
Tug of War
Done on a knockout or mini-league basis. The winner of each leg is determined by the best of three "tugs"
Mountain Bike Rally
Relay competition using one or two bikes per team. Mixed surface course – earth, tarmac and grass. Marked on highest number of laps completed
Oil Drum Basketball
The team have a fixed time to throw different shaped and sized balls into an oil drum at a fixed distance
Kayak Racing
Can be done as a relay or race – circuit around buoy markers in the water
Archery
After a practice session each team member has three arrows to shoot at a 40cm target from a distance of 15 metres. The highest aggregate score wins.
Pedal Cars
One or two cars per team. Relay system round a predetermined course; most number of laps completed wins
5-a-side football
Played on the grass. Knockout or mini-league system according to number of teams
Volleyball
Played on the grass. Knockout or mini-league system according to number of teams
Water Volleyball
Using the pool – summer months only
Golf
Maximum 20 people. Not available at weekends. Can use either or both the putting green or the driving range. The former is based on completing the course in the fewest strokes and the latter involves driving the golf balls as close as possible to a fixed point
Relay Races
Straightforward running races; 4 x 100 metres, 4 x 400 metres etc
Multi-Ski
These giant skis can accommodate up to five people at a time. Co-ordination is the key to being able to move without falling over and, with the aid of a rope support, each team has to complete as many laps of a circuit as they can.
Air-bed Challenge
Another pool activity for the summer. Using an air-bed to get across the pool the idea is to retrieve a total of 15 balls one at a time using a relay system. The quickest team wins.
Caterpillar
The team stands in a line and is completely covered by a large sheet. The idea is that the team hold onto each other conga-style under the sheet and have to negotiate a circuit to arrive caterpillar style at the finishing line.
Spiral
A large trunk of wood lies in the middle of a circle with ropes attached to it. The team cannot enter the circle but by pulling on the ropes they have to lift the trunk into a vertical position and manoeuvre it working together as a team.
Roller Blading Relays using in-line skates over a pre-determined course. The competition can be run using individual participants on each leg or else in pairs with the two people negotiating the course hand in hand.
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