History

  These sailboats are not exclusive to the island's coast, but correspond to a type of boat that was widely used in the Mediterranean. It is believed that its origin could be on the banks of the Nile, and that from there the sailors and the merchants were in charge of spreading its use by all the Mediterranean.

   
This boat with a triangular sail and a wooden helmet is called “falucho” or “faluca”, and is widespread on the Mediterranean coasts of North Africa and the Red Sea. In the Canaries, this boat was used for fishing and for transporting people and merchandise from the ocean to the coast

People sailing on the "Vela Latina" boat.

   The origin in the Canary Islands occurred in the Island in Gran Canaria, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The Vela Latina is related to the birth of “El Puerto de la Luz” in 1883. At that time many ships arrived to the capital and to transfer to the passengers and merchandise of the boats small boats were used to rowing and sailing to facilitate the access to the island coast. At the end of their work or when this was not too much, the same boats were challenged to prove their skill and here began the first step to become a sport, as a way to demonstrate and measure the ability with the opponent, small races were made. It is the "regata" confrontation between two or more boats.

Puerto de la Luz in Gran Canaria

   

   The first organized "regatta" was celebrated on July 24, 1904, on the occasion of the patron saint festivities of the neighborhood of San Cristóbal. In the 60s, the "Club de Vela Latina Canaria" was created, whose main functions are to organize, encourage and promote the racing boats "Vela Latina" on the island of Gran Canaria is created. On December 23, 1961, the "Club de Vela Latina Canaria" was established.