Patí Català i Vela Llatina de Calafell
A Calafell nonprofit preserving local maritime heritage through traditional Catalan beach-cat sailing and lateen-rigged boats, with an ecomuseum, regattas, and public sailing activities.
About Patí Català i Vela Llatina de Calafell
Keeping Calafell’s maritime heritage alive
Patí Català i Vela Llatina de Calafell is a nonprofit cultural association based in Calafell, in Catalonia’s Baix Penedès region. It works to recover, preserve, and share the town’s maritime heritage, with activities centered on two traditional types of boat: the patí català and lateen-rigged sailing vessels.
Projects and events
The association runs an ecomuseum devoted to Calafell’s fishing heritage and organizes traditional sailing, regattas, and cultural events. A featured project is a replica of La Francisca, described as the last trawler from Calafell and Catalonia. The group has also restored and converted boats, including the Magí fishing boat, for lateen-sail and six-oar use.
The association takes part in lateen-sailing gatherings, including the 10th Calafell Lateen Sail Meeting, and international maritime festivals such as Escale à Port-Vendres in France. It also holds an annual photography contest in lateen sailing and patí català categories, and organizes concerts and talks on maritime subjects.
A brief history of local sailing
According to the association, the earliest patí boats documented in Calafell date to 1933–34, when the first summer visitors from Barcelona brought them to the area. In 2010, the group revived an article on Calafell’s maritime origins and continues to research the history of traditional sailing.
Sailing outings and introductory trips
The association offers sailing outings and introductory trips from Moll de les Llatines, in the port square at Segur-Calafell. Posted times are Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. in winter, and Fridays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. in summer.
Locations
- Association headquarters: Carretera del Sanatori, 3 (Destil·leria l’Hostal), Calafell.
- Lateen-boat moorings: Port square.
- Patí boatyard: Trajo de l’Espineta.
- Boatyard: Across from the Fishermen’s Guild, La Platja de Calafell, 43820.
Contact
Email: associacio@paticatalacalafell.cat. The association is on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Traditional maritime heritage