Joxemi Elduayen has led Hondarribia Arraun Elkartea for over twenty years. He joined the club during a difficult period around 2003 and has since navigated various challenges. Under his presidency, the club has achieved titles including three ACT leagues (2006, 2014, and 2015) and five La Concha flags (2005, 2013, 2018, 2019, and 2020). Elduayen has been instrumental in modernizing the club's management, which is essential in the sport.
This year, two key rowers, Galder Ezponda and Iñigo Sagarzazu, will not be with the team. "Four new rowers from the B team have stepped up to the first team. With 15 homegrown rowers out of 20 registered, we are the ACT club with the most local rowers in the squad. No one can beat us in enthusiasm and desire, but we are very clear about the path forward. In Hondarribia, the 'how' is non-negotiable", Elduayen stated.
Joseba Amunarriz is the sole remaining member from the crew that won the last three consecutive La Concha regattas in 2018, 2019, and 2020. "I have no words to thank Joseba for deciding to continue pulling the boat for another season. For the younger rowers, having a legend like him at the stern is incredibly important", the president added.
Coach Mikel Orbañanos will also continue, marking his 25th consecutive season. Elduayen notes that the current situation reminds him of Orbañanos's early years at the club, "a very young team full of enthusiasm that wasn't competing for flags". Now, as then, "we will see how far we are capable of going", he affirmed.
The objectives for this season are clear: "our logical place is to compete in the second race group of the League, and, of course, to try to qualify for the La Concha flag once again". Elduayen highlights that "since the year 2000, we have only missed qualifying in 2006, the very year we won the league. That's 25 participations out of 26 possible in La Concha; no other club matches this record".
Changes have also occurred in the women's team, with Osertz Alday as the new coach. "I see the women's team very well, perhaps a bit short on rowers, but with very clear ideas. Osertz's arrival has generated great enthusiasm. The objectives are clear: we must try to return to the Euskotren league and qualify for La Concha."
The formative work in the club's lower categories is crucial. "Attracting young talent is difficult, but for example, this weekend we have over fifty athletes competing in the Spanish Rowing Championship for cadets and juniors in Bañolas. This demonstrates the excellent work we have been doing in the lower categories for years", said Elduayen, confident that "some of these young rowers will bring us significant joy in the future".
