Nestled in the Ribeira Brava valley of Madeira, where the rugged mountain landscapes and soothing ocean waters have long been a powerful medicine for the mind, is the impressive Centro Desportivo da Madeira – a premier training camp facility catering to athletes of all levels.
The facility was opened in 2007 by the Development Societies to promote the sports sector on the island. It encompasses all the essential features required for a contemporary training camp facility, while also fostering a sense of overall wellbeing by synergising seamlessly with the breathtaking natural surroundings.
Recently, four ambitious athletes from Germany and Switzerland, as well as their coach, visited the facility to test the comprehensive offerings and accommodation. Tim Nowak, a German decathlete, was impressed at the range of facilities that the centre offers – catering for both athletics pursuits and leisure or family activities. And of course, all visitors are treated to picturesque views from every corner of the centre.
“For me personally, it’s always crucial to find a place that takes me away from the familiar surroundings, a complete contrast to the dull, indoor facilities in Germany,” Nowak said. “And this place truly offers everything I need. I can head to the beach right after training, and the view is consistently breath-taking and unlike anything we have back home.”
Centro Desportivo da Madeira
The modern complex features a natural turf field as well as two synthetic turf fields. There is also an eight-lane athletics track, gym, tennis court, two Padel tennis courts, covered multi-sports area, mini golf, bicycle path and a 10-station maintenance course. The facility also features an easy-to-use online tool to schedule visits to the complex and reserve camps.
Visitors, including athletes from all over the world, rave about the top-tier accommodation and well-trained employees who elevate the experience of visiting the complex.
“The facilities are all impeccably clean and well-maintained,” says athletics coach Sarah Weber. “Additionally, the people here are extremely friendly and accommodating.”
Enrico Güntert, a Swiss sprinter, says that the most appealing aspects of the Madeira Sports Center are its expansive options and versatility, especially when things like inclement weather affect his plans on the track.
Güntert described the track at the facility as one of the most breath-taking tracks he has ever had the chance to use. It is currently in the approval process to obtain certification from both World Athletics and the Portuguese Athletics Federation (FPA). The 400-meter oval track was constructed using materials from CONICA, the preferred supplier for European Athletics and a renowned company based in Switzerland widely recognised for providing tracks to prestigious events such as Diamond League Meetings, including Weltklasse Zurich, Herculis Monaco and Bauhaus Galan in Stockholm, among others.
Enrico Güntert
“The track is incredible,” concurs Lydia Boll, a Swiss heptathlete. “It offers a pleasant level of bounce, making it remarkably gentle on the joints and perfect for training and season preparation. It’s truly ideal for a training camp, where high-impact and intensive training sessions are common. Thanks to this track, you shouldn’t experience any discomfort in your feet or shins.”
Sports enthusiasts and competitive athletes come from all over the world to train at Centro Desportivo da Madeira, including Riccarda Dietsche, who says she realised the full benefits of the track after a few days of running on the material.
“My initial impression of the track was that it was incredibly bouncy,” expressed the athlete. “This characteristic significantly minimises the impact on joints and muscles, particularly during sprinting.”
Boll noted the entire experience at Centro Desportivo da Madeira as immensely positive, especially to prepare for the upcoming track and field season. “What can I say? The scenery is amazing. I don’t think I have ever seen something like it. It is really beautiful,” said Boll. “I think it is really worth coming and training here. You can enjoy the beautiful nature while enjoying what you love doing.”
About Conica
Conica has been developing and manufacturing innovative seamless flooring solutions based on polyurethane and epoxy resins for sports, games, leisure as well as other areas for over 40 years. Conica is one of the world’s market leaders and innovation drivers in this field. The user-oriented requirements for technical and sports functional performance as well as usability while guaranteeing health aspects of the material itself and for the user are the focus of product development. Conica is part of the Serafin group of companies based in Munich.