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Kapetaneika on the Greek Island of Paros

Writer's picture: George TatakisGeorge Tatakis

Paros reminds me of my first trip since it was the destination we had chosen in high school to go to for a three-day school trip. It is a Cycladic island with the architecture of white houses with blue small windows, which would make any stone sunken in the sea look prettier. It has two large settlements, Paros and Naoussa. In the latter, friendly sailing races with wooden boats have taken place in recent years, called "Kapetaneika". It is an opportunity for sports enthusiasts to meet, but also a kind of "protest" for the destruction of wooden boats in recent years by European directives. That trip was in collaboration with Blue Star Ferries.

View of Paros island by photographer George Tatakis
View of Paros island

Photographing Kapetaneika sailboat race on the Greek island of Paros.

On the first day, when I arrived at the island of Paros in the afternoon, I had the time to settle in my room and go to the Marina of Naoussa to meet the contestants and see the sailboats. That's where I met the organizers, I explained to them what I was doing, and agreed on how I would move about on the next day during the Kapetaneika race. A small speedboat would be at my disposal and would be able to move me along the boats or at various points that would be useful for me to take pictures from. From the very beginning, I was intrigued by a vessel whose crew was dressed in traditional outfits and I thought that I would prefer to be in this boat. So I hoped the next day I would find the way. In the afternoon I walked through the beautiful roads of Naoussa. There are so many nice places for food and drink, and I even thought that you could hardly find other places in the world along the seasides as edgy and decorated with such good taste. At least of the places, I have visited so far. Of all this, as I usually do, I was interested in a gentleman who sat on his front porch in one of the central squares. I went near and met him. His name was Yiorgos Zoumis and his origin was from the island. We have briefly caught a conversation about life on the island, but also about how it has changed over time. Yiorgos invited me to his house and so I had the chance to see one of the traditional houses on the island.

Yorgos Zoumis at his house, by photographer George Tatakis
Yorgos Zoumis at his house in Naoussa, Paros island

The following morning I was at the Marina of Naoussa, Paros early to organize my moves. I found the speedboat that could move me between the boats during the Kapetaneika, but I had in mind to find the crew that was dressed in the outfit of their island. I learned that this vessel comes from Spetses and its name, Aghios Yiorgis. The crew at that time were preparing for the trip and were buying supplies for the race, mainly water. The race would end up at the famous beach of Kolimbithres, where all participants could enjoy a swim, before returning to the Marina of Naoussa. So I found the crew at the local grocery store while buying bottles of water and I met them saying that I would like to be with them in their boat to photograph them. They happily obliged and so I secured my ticket for Aghios Yiorgis. The race soon began and so I found myself floating for the first time aboard a sailboat.

On board Aghios Yorgis, by photographer George Tatakis
On board Aghios Yorgis