The History of the Rabelo Boat Race – Saint John Day

The Rabelo Boat Regatta is unique in the world.

Organized by the Confraria do Vinho do Porto, this regatta – with one of the rarest boats still built – is traditionally held on the Douro River, in Porto, during the afternoon of June 24th, Saint John’s Day, coinciding with the Summer Solstice.

The Rabelo Boat is a keel-less vessel, steered with a rabelo – a long oar that commands the boat at the stern – , has its origin long before the 17th century and translates nautical knowledge from the Eastern Mediterranean with clear Nordic influences.

Manned by brave men who fought against the strong currents in the Douro River, they were used to transport Port Wine from the Douro Demarcated Region to the Lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia. The last voyage of these boats took place in 1963 and the filming of it was a rare piece of the national television (RTP) collection.

In 1983, the Confraria do Vinho do Porto organized the first Rabelo Boat Regatta to draw attention to these unique boats and encourage their preservation as a symbol of Port Wine.

The annual regatta begins at the mouth of the Douro River, near Afurada, and the Rabelo Boats carry the names of many Port Wine brands on their sails, racing towards the Dom Luís I bridge.

The competition is between crews fighting the wind, the current, and each other to be the first to reach the finish line, while spectators watch from the river banks. The spectacle of this unique, traditional event is a gift of Port Wine to the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia and to all who visit.