This is the story of a boy who dreamed of joining the crew of the great ships he saw passing on the horizon from his house that over the years has managed to participate in the most prestigious sailing competitions in the world
The protagonist of this episode of Sports Experiences, Carlos Hernández, grew up watching lateen sailing regattas (a competition native to the Canary Islands) through the windows of his family home.
Carlos grew up in Arrecife, very close to the iconic Charco de San Ginés, a corner of Lanzarote with a deep seafaring tradition, located in a beautiful bay that has been the subject of hundreds of postcards. His childhood was spent having fun with friends in small boats and dinghies, always looking to the horizon where he saw the great sailing ships passing in their transatlantic crossings. This aroused his curiosity and generated a huge desire and longing in his young mind – the longing to sail the seas on board one of those great ships when he grew up.
“Being born in front of one of the best regatta courses in the world is reason enough to make the sea and boats an essential part of your life.“
Being born on an island with magnificent sailing conditions, and sailing from an early age in lateen, snipe, 4.20 and other basic sailing modalities, meant that, almost without realising it, he became one of the best sailors in Lanzarote with an outstanding professional reputation that has led him to participate in some of the most prestigious regattas in the world.
Carlos started competing at a very young age, sailing in any sailing boat that would give him the opportunity to grow as a crew member. It was in the Puerto Calero IMS 500 that he became known internationally later sailing in the GP52 and RC44 classes that were much more professional. It would be from this moment, when he decided to take the step and dedicate himself professionally to high competition sailing, managing to make room in the elite of this sport and participate in some of the most prestigious regattas in the world.
His outstanding work in national competitions such as the Copa del Rey, demonstrated his worth and boosted the presence of the Lanzarote-born sailor in Spain’s top teams, including the Mapfre team in which he participated in the spectacular Volvo Ocean Race, being the first Lanzarote sailor to achieve this milestone.
His career also includes other achievements such as the speed records achieved with the Maserati Multi70, forming part of the crew of the spectacular ClubSwan 125 ‘Skorpios‘, and his participation in important competitions such as the revered and feared Rolex Fastnet Race.
The story of Carlos Hernández confirms once again that Lanzarote is not only a magnificent enclave for sailing and developing the skills needed for top-level competition, but that it’s also a place where great sailors are forged and trained, recognised worldwide and present in the preeminent events of this sport.