Juan Pérez: "It is noticeable that there is a commitment to Latin sailing in Lanzarote"

Juan Pérez: "It is noticeable that there is a commitment to Latin sailing in Lanzarote"

June 21 2025 (08:15 WEST)
WhatsApp Image 2025 06 19 at 9.32.03 PMd
WhatsApp Image 2025 06 19 at 9.32.03 PMd

Juan Pérez, president of the Lanzarote Island Federation of Latin Sail Dinghies, was on the Más de Uno program of Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero to answer some of the questions regarding the situation of this sport on the island.

Regarding the increase in people who decide to practice this sport, Pérez stated that "there is indeed a fan base, but it needs to be mobilized, we are working on it, and it is noticeable that there is more interest in children because work has been done from some clubs with the schools we have, such as El Portil de Caleta de Sebo with Ana Hernández."

In addition, he indicated that "last year we started with a dinghy from the school that they have had for several years of light sailing, it was reinforced last year with Latin sailing dinghies, and since last summer also with the Latin Sailing School for adults, we are attracting people to practice the discipline, so it is noticeable that there is a commitment to it."

He also highlighted that Canary Islands Day is an "important day for Latin sailing because it is an indigenous sport of the islands, and although we have only been in the Federation for a few months, it is a practice that we like, the effort has been great." Specifically, the Canary Islands Day regatta was held in Arrecife because, in the words of the president, "we know that in the past it started from there and we resumed it, just as we went to Punta Mujeres, all within the championship."

In the celebrations of the different regattas, some of them are organized in collaboration with the city councils. "In the case of the Southern Cup, the Arrecife City Council has always organized it, and last year there was no relationship with the Island Federation, although we resumed it this year, and this year we are not organizing it, but we are collaborating with them with the resources we have because it is our duty to support Latin sailing, and any city council that asks us, we will be with them."

 

Southern Cup

In the Southern Cup, Juan Pérez says that he has always participated as a crew member and that he will do it again this year. "This year is the fifth edition and we wanted to do it in a more special way because, in addition, the Southern Cup is very important for the Island League competition that starts in August, and as there are new crew members and boats that will participate in this last one, it is vital to go to the Southern Cup for training," he said.

In this sense, he remarked that this year "there is a record of participation despite the fact that it is a municipal cup." "Our resources and efforts are focused on ensuring that Latin sailing is not lost, and fortunately in Lanzarote we enjoy good health, although in other islands such as Gran Canaria or Fuerteventura it has also increased," he continued.

Likewise, Pérez highlighted the importance and work of the clubs because "everything is developed by the union of the five that exist and by the dissemination in schools." The greatest passion for this sport is reflected in the fleet of dinghies that Lanzarote has, the largest in the Canary Islands, with a total of 25 boats, although the president pointed out that "even so, they are not going to rest on their laurels, we will continue working."

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