Villa de Portugalete

Festivals

TRAINERAS (Long-Boats)

The Corte Inglés Regatta is held in Portugalete in September, attracting this spectacular sport’s loyal and enthusiastic following, as well as a host of onlookers who cling to their vantage points along the quayside, admiring the spectacle of the long-boats, traineras, being rowed along the river, where each oar stroke and a concerted effort bring them under the Puente Colgante in their race to be the first ones to cross the finishing-line.

This September regatta is a kind of play-off amongst the Champions of Champions. For further information, visit the club website (in Spanish), Asociación Clubes de Traineras: http://www.ligaact.com

Curiosities from the world of Regattas:

BOGAR (ROW): This is the action performed by the oarsman with an oar in order to propel the boat forwards.
CIAR or SEAR (BACKPADDLE): This is the opposite action to rowing, in other words, reversing the movement in order to propel the boat backwards.
VIRAR (GO ABOUT): Manoeuvre performed by the skipper of the boat, sometimes with the help of the oarsmen, to change the boat’s heading.
POPEL (STERNMAN): Oarsman who usually rows at the rear of the boat. They are generally responsible for setting the stroke rate and for leading the rest of the crew.
PROEL (BOWMAN): Oarsmen who is usually the one nearest the front of the boat.