Trainera

A trainera is a traditional boat of the Cantabrian Sea coast at the southern end of the Bay of Biscay, propelled by oars, and formerly sailing.

Traineras were originally used by fishermen to bring in the day’s catch of anchovies and sardines from sea to market, usually competing to sell their caught fish before others came in.

Nowadays, traineras are made of carbon fiber and kevlar with techniques similar to those in aeronautical construction (such as for Airbus wings.

Although most rowing teams were male, evidence from the historical bertsos tells us that female rowers existed, referred to as batelerak in Basque.

The origins of the various kinds of trainera regatta lie in fishing and whaling, both highly important sources of income in earlier periods.

Since the year 1850, there was evidence of challenges in the Cantabrian village of Castro Urdiales between local crews and sometimes with the Biscayans who were manning the Coast Guard cutters.

[12] The first documented regatta which was held as a sporting event was in 1859 in the Bay of Santander between the people of Castro Urdiales and some Biscayan crews.

[12] Much more important was the race held in Santander two years later, in 1861, in the presence of Queen Isabella II on official visit to the capital of Cantabria.

The Cantabrians beat back to the Biscayans and the local press echoed the news and even a famous folk song known as the Jota del Regateo was composed.

At the same time motors (chipironier) were introduced to the fishing industry so the commercial use of rowing boats quickly disappeared and more and more were used for the estropadak.