If Ribadesella did not have other attractions, it would be equally known in the world due to the Sella International Race, the Canoe Celebration of Asturias. This unusual folkloric-athletic celebration, declared as point of international Touristic interest, is the most important of the Asturian summer, as much for its spectacularity as for the enormous number of participants. The specular nature of the event comes from the outstanding geographical setting where it takes it takes place, the Sella River, River, the river mouth, the Ova fields, and the Ribadesellian village. The slender canoes going down the river and the masses of people following them by train and car create a charming event, a whirlwind of sounds and colors in movement

.It all began in 1929 when Dionisio de la Huerta and a friend went on a canoeing trip on the Piloña River, a tributary of the Sella. In the summer of 1930, with one more companion, they went down the Sella from Arriondas to Ribadesella very slowly, savoring the river landscape, the refreshing shade of the chestnut trees, and the legends of woodland spirits, goblins, mythological tritons that pleased Dionisio, authentic father and founder of the Race, so much.Each year they repeated the trip, but competition soon got the best of them and they began to argue while still on the road. Dionisio did not want to compete, but rather stroll and river. Due to that attitude it did not turn into a simple race and instead the fantastic double personality of the Sella International was born: athletic struggle combined with the festive exaltation of Nature. Some fight for victory, others let the current take them, and the rest watch, cheer, and have fun.

The Sella International Pirogues Race and celebration were created in the 40s and 50s and were later fully developed in the 60s, when they already enjoyed a high level of international competition and a unique folkloric component. The celebration’s "liturgy," parade, its start in verse, Pelayo, Pialla; the group of Tritons, the dress of vests, caps, and paper necklaces, as well as the picnic in the Ova fields and night celebrations scattered throughout the village were are established in these years.

The celebration begins in the early morning hours when the"fluvial trains" filled with people awaiting the start of the race depart from Ribadesella and Oviedo toward Arriondas. One of the most attractive events of the day begins at eleven o’clock with a mirthful parade of costumed "Sellians" walking or riding aboard all sorts of contrivances and floats its way to the bridge over the Sella as the canoeists wait impatiently. After the opening ritual verses "Will the public keep quiet and listen to what we say" which were read by Dionisio de la Huerta until his death in 1995, the race is begun at twelve o’clock sharp.

It is the culminating moment that the public has been waiting for. The atmosphere is instantly electrified as thousands of canoes are launches on the river. The clamor and tension take hold of those who want to navigate and the spectators who try to observe the entire spectacle at once. The beating of anxious oars, splashing of foam, presence of song, and the infernal shout that rises above the valley hardly allow one to hear the final verses of the crier: "Let’s rush to the train, follow the caravan, everyone to Ribadesella, to see who wins."

At this moment, two distinct races are begun: the purely athletic one which puts the strength and endurance of the canoers to the test as they elude the shallows of a river pressured by summer, and the mirthful folkloric race of paddlers that try to reach Ribadesella before the oars. The public waits expectantly at the finish line. The megaphone calls out that the English and South Africans are at the front of the pack, or the Portuguese and the Asturians are neck and neck.

The first ones appear as they round the last curve and, now in full public view, they go all out to cover the final five hundred meters. The fluvial train and car caravan arrive at just the right time to add their voices to the fifty million shouting for the victors, whose names will be recorded on the monolith of the Ribadesellian bridge.

Following the tradition also inaugurated by Dionisio and the other pioneers of the Sella, competitors and spectators go out in large numbers to the Ova fields, three kilometers from the village, where they enjoy a multitudinous country meal, take a nap beneath the poplars, contemplate the folkloric groups, dance a little, and award the trophies to the winners of all categories.

Returning to Ribadesella, the celebration continues until dawn in the little pubs that occupy every corner of the village. Up until the last minute of this incredible celebration, the wise watchword that gave it such a singular quality of liberty, calmness, and tolerance will be in effect:

"Have a good time and let everyone else do the same".