INITIATION AVIRON

Free introduction to rowing (traditional Catalan oar = llagut de rem), open to all, meeting at 6.00 pm at the end of Quai A in the port. Registration on site or at the Tourist Office. Organised by Aviron Banyulenc.

Rowing, que es aixo?!
The "llagut de rem", a Catalan rowing boat used to prepare for fearsome regattas, is an inter-village sport that dates back to the 1930s, and has its origins in fishing known as "beach art". In those days, fishermen rowed out to sea because they didn't have motors, and it was the first to get back to port who got the best prices for the fish. The fishermen therefore tried to get back as quickly as possible.

The practice of "beach art" has long since disappeared, giving way to more productive techniques, but the culture of rowing races between fishermen survived until the 40s and 50s. Regattas were held in the late afternoon, with teams made up by affinity and by village. The fishermen occupied a large number of boats, as at that time 80% of the men did this job, alternating with that of winegrower.

In 1984, Mr Marti, Mayor of Cerbère, set up the "Cap de Creus Saint Vincent" association to promote the sport.

Boats armed with 6 rowers and a coxswain race over a course marked by two buoys 250m apart, to be sailed four times, i.e. 1000m from a standing start, with 3 buoy changes. Each boat races on its own line of water, and needless to say, during the regatta the crews don't do each other any favours! Whoever achieves the fastest time wins.

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