The Chalanas of Puerto Rico

摘要

Puerto Ricans have a fierce love of their heritage, their island, and their families. Nowhere do you see this more clearly than where land meets sea: swimming, sailing, and sport fishing are popular weekend pursuits, with a keen emphasis on who can go the farthest, fastest, or catch the biggest. Among sailors on this Greater Antillean island, one of the largest and most competitive sailboat racing classes is also one of the oldest: the cha-lana, a homegrown type built exclusively in wood by backyard amateurs.