From the Island Federation of Latin Sail Boats in Lanzarote, they denounce that the Marina Colón house "has become too small" and that its facilities "have not adapted to the growth of the nautical sports community" on the island.
In a scenario reminiscent of Celia Cruz's famous song 'There's No Room for So Many People', we encounter the reality faced by practitioners of Canarian Latin sailing in Lanzarote. As this sport has gained popularity, the space in the Marina Colón facilities has "become insufficient to meet the growing needs" of the nautical community.
The historical demand for a suitable home for Canarian Latin sailing boats has been "a constant" in the sports community. Over the years, several politicians proposed different locations, but ultimately, the Marina Colón facilities were the chosen place to accommodate this sport, along with other nautical disciplines. However, despite the investments made by public institutions, "these have lagged behind" in relation to the real needs.
The competition of six boats of five meters in 1990, has given way to that of fourteen boats in 2000, and finally, to the twenty boats in 2023, which has left in oblivion the "capacity to store" all the necessary nautical material. It is important to note that in these boats of 20 boats, each with four crew members, plus the personnel on land, there are more than 120 sailors. In the last regatta, some of them had to change outdoors or inside cars due to the lack of access to adequate bathrooms.
The Island Nautical Sports Center remains anchored in its "original capacity" since its inauguration, without adapting to the "growth of the nautical sports community" on the island. "This lack of space is causing inconveniences and difficulties, especially when raising and lowering the boats by hand, a task that becomes almost an odyssey when it comes to a large number of boats," they add from the federation.
"From the Island Federation we ask ourselves the question: how long will we have to wait to have a decent facility, similar to those that exist on other islands? Should we remain anchored in the past while promoting our culture? It is time for our authorities to recognize the importance of providing an adequate space for our sport and allowing it to continue growing in Lanzarote."
