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Argentina Sailing

Sail & Motor: The country that loves boating

Although competitive and recreational boating in Argentina doesn’t have a large number of participants, it does have a substantial amount of avid and dedicated fans. Its commercial and service sector is on par with international standards...

From the “vuelta al perro” to the cruise ships, to the Atlantic Coast, Uruguay or Brazil, boating is an important pastime in Argentina.

They look like little clear specks on the River Plate’s café-con-leche-colored water. Or they appear as romantic visions to someone peering down at the sea from a high balcony or cliffs at Mar de Plata. One also spies them from the rocky regions of the highland lakes or at the foot of the Andean Mountain Range, the lush coasts of the Paraná River, the windy mountains of Ushuaia, or from the calm Pampas on the edge of its never-ending lakes. Competitive sailing can be found throughout Argentina – steered by sail or motor, big or small. The majority of boaters go out every weekend, and many also take advantage of free time in the middle of the week. Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and the summer are the time for regattas. In theses cases the open waters are converted into a veritable party. The Paraná Delta and other well-navigated routes create a world that many – but not all – know and enjoy ... only a few minutes from any major Argentine city.

At the beginning of the 20th century, sailing – or yachting as it is also called, above all when boating with a sail – were exclusive activities of the upper class. Today, however, one doesn’t have to be rich to take a helmsman course or participate in the activities held by the hundreds of semi-public or private organizations that promote boating for competition or leisure.

The only thing that is required is to go to a club, marina, or sports group, etc; and the only other requirement is that you have to want to boat. It’s not even necessary to have your own boat; someone will surely be happy to invite you to hop on board, even if only to give a hand with some of the essential work: throw the rope, put out the sails or bring them back in, throw the anchor, or... serve drinks and the “picada” (Argentine equivalent of Spanish tapas) at the appropriate hour – all within an ambience of camaraderie and friendship.

There are also other ways to enjoy the many closely-located reservoirs that require less ‘infrastructure.’ They present more economic and versatile options, such as water skiing, wakeboarding, Jets Skis, windsurfing, rowing and diving. With diving however, one should exclude the River Plate and the rivers, lagoons and interior lakes because they lack the necessary visibility and security. Be sure to have in mind that in order to do these sports, it is usually necessary to have some support service – such as guides, transport, instructors, etc.

Although Argentina is rich in reservoirs and coastline, and for the most part has a favorable climate, it surprisingly doesn’t have a strong maritime tradition. Since the beginning of the 20th century Argentina, however, began to forge an important identity in the world of boating with the help of artisans who settled in the northern suburbs of Greater Buenos Aires. Many were carpenters and mechanics from the Mediterranean and the Nordic countries, and were drawn by the shipyards that flourished on the Delta. Last names like Campos, Elizalde, Frers, or Vilar Castex, among others, resounded with prestige in the European ports during the 30s, 40s and 50s.

Argentine yachtsmen have performed impressively during the Olympic Games. They served as an example for the next generations, who have participated in such prestigious regattas as the Admiral’s Cup, the Commodore’s Cup, and the Olympic Games (receiving gold, silver and bronze medals). Names such as Camau Lange (windsurfing and tornado), Santiago Lange (tornado and other categories) stand out. They have been awarded consecutive world and international titles in the monotype category (particularly in the youth category Optimist, where Argentina is considered a world leader).

Argentine nautical designers and architects deserve a chapter apart. People such as Germán Frers and Juan Kouyoumdjian, stars of the American Cup, are quickly rising the ranks in both international competitions and the nautical market.

Less traditional, motor boating is usually done on the inner rivers and the Delta. Many times it goes hand in hand with, for example, water skiing and fishing, or simply family day trips. Because of these characteristics and motor boating’s relative accessibility and versatility, it is more common than sail boating.

The local nautical industry stands out for its quality in construction, design and equipment, which in the last few years has shown a sharp curve upwards in terms of exports. Grouped under the organization CACEL (Cámara Argentina de Constructores de Embarcaciones), the shipyards are concentrated mainly on the northern banks of the River Plate and near the Paraná Delta, along with service providers, brokers and representatives of other commercial and professional organizations that sustain the nautical activities in Argentina, and in many cases those of surrounding countries as well.

Approximately every two years the Buenos Aires Nautical Exhibition is held. It brings together everything the sector has to offer, from sporting and recreational boats to the smallest ironwork decoration, electronic equipment (mostly imported), motors, sails, etc. The Naval Prefecturate grant authorized liscences and is the policing authority in all the lakes and reservoirs in the country that fall under federal jurisdiction, while the Argentine Armada controls the Argentine Sea (South Atlantic) and the outer River Plate.

Concrete statistics aren’t available, but it is estimated that there are between 60,000 and 100,000 recreational boats of all types in the River Plate and its surroundings. If only a third of this amount went boating every weekend during the summer or vacations, it’s easy to imagine how the “río color de leon” (lion-colored river) becomes populated with boats. The majority head out simply to “dar la vuelta al perro” (literally “take the dog for a walk,” meaning to go out for a quick sail), crossing to the cozy ports in Uruguay (Río Negro, Nueva Palmira, Colonia, Riachuelo, Santa Ana, Buceo, Piriápolis, La Paloma...), to the coast (Zárate, San Pedro, Paranacito, Paraná…), or to the southern coast (Quilmes, La Plata, Atalaya…). Those who can should set a course for Brazil or the ports on the Atlantic Coast. Although they are scarce and at a slightly challenging distance, they also offer their protection: San Clemente (Tapera de López), Mar del Plata, Necochea, Bahía Blanca, Viedma… and even further still - Patagonia.

The number of Argentines who pursue the old European tradition of living in port after port is continually growing; even entire families live life at sea. Those who adopt this lifestyle, be it temporarily or permanently, are usually admired as semi-heroes within the nautical community; for example, Clara and Ricardo Mena, “El Mono” Da Milano and Enrique Celesia, among many others.

To be sure, within Argentina boating isn’t as popular a sport as soccer, car racing or tennis. However, a little past the shore line a country dedicated to boating unfurls itself. Even if from the land they only seem like little specks floating on the water. 

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