Key takeaways

  • Mira's Barrinha da Praia hosts first leg of Aquabike Euro Championship 2026
  • Record 140 pilots from 22 countries competing, including 8 Portuguese athletes
  • Local hotels and restaurants reported fully booked during the event
  • Mira aims to eventually host an Aquabike World Championship round

The coastal town of Mira, in the Coimbra district, is hosting the opening round of the 2026 Aquabike European Championship this weekend at the Barrinha da Praia lagoon. Around 140 personal watercraft pilots from 22 countries, including eight Portuguese athletes, are taking part in a record turnout for the event.

Why Mira’s Barrinha Draws International Racers

The Barrinha, a sheltered lagoon separated from the Atlantic by a sandbar, has become a recognised venue for motonautica (motorised watersports) competitions. Paulo Ferreira, president of the Portuguese Motonautica Federation, praised the quality of the racing course and what he called the “extraordinary commitment and involvement” of the Mira municipality and its residents in organising the event.

He noted that the visible impact of the championship extends well beyond the water, pointing to fully booked hotels and restaurants across the town as evidence of how prestigious the event has become for the local economy.

Artur Fresco’s Ambitions for a World Championship Round

Mira’s mayor, Artur Fresco, highlighted the record number of participants as proof of the concelho’s organisational capacity and appeal to international sporting federations. He suggested the Barrinha has now earned the credentials to host a round of the Aquabike World Championship in the future, a step up from the European-level event currently underway.

For foreign residents living along Portugal’s central coast, events like this are a reminder of how smaller municipalities are increasingly competing to attract international sporting tourism. Beyond the racing itself, such championships tend to bring a temporary but noticeable boost in visitors, traffic, and demand for local accommodation, which can affect availability for anyone travelling through or living near Mira this weekend.

The event also reflects a broader trend in Portugal, where coastal towns are investing in infrastructure and hosting capacity to diversify their appeal beyond traditional beach tourism, drawing niche international sports communities throughout the year.