The Tour of the Yoles 2024

The Tour of the Yoles in Martinique is the largest sports competition on the island. It's an event that many Martinicans don't miss, and for good reason – it's a beautiful spectacle that represents tradition, craftsmanship, and the enthusiasm of the people of Martinique.

If you don't want to miss anything from the Tour of the Yoles Martinique, Airlocal keeps an updated schedule of all the highlights of the Tour and its stages.

Tour Dates 2024:

The Tour of the Yoles Martinique takes place over 8 days.

The dates for the Tour of the Yoles Martinique 2024 have already been announced. For its 38th edition, the Tour will take place from July 14th to July 21st, 2024. The Federation of Yoles Rondes of Martinique and the Prefecture are working together to ensure a successful tour under the best conditions.

The event begins with the prologue and includes 7 stages. The precise route indicating departures and arrivals for the 2024 yoles race is as follows:

• Prologue: Sunday, July 14, 2024 – Fort-de-France – Fort-de-France
• 1st Stage: Monday, July 15, 2024 – Fort-de-France – Le Diamant
• 2nd Stage: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 – Le Diamant – Rivière-Pilote
• 3rd Stage: Wednesday, July 17, 2024 – Rivière-Pilote – Le Vauclin
• 4th Stage: Thursday, July 18, 2024 – Le Vauclin – Le François
• 5th Stage: Friday, July 19, 2024 – Le François – Trinité
• 6th Stage: Saturday, July 20, 2024 – Trinité – Saint-Pierre
• 7th Stage (final): Sunday, July 21, 2024 – Saint-Pierre – Fort-de-France

Crews for the Tour of the Yoles 2024:

For the 38th edition of the Tour of the Yoles 2024, well-experienced crews are expected to participate in the race. Considering the participants in the Martinique Yoles Rondes Championship, the following crews are likely to be part of the Tour 2024:

• UFR – Chanflor
• Ets Rosette – Orange
• SARA – Auto Distribution
• Association Vini Wè Sa
• GFA Caraïbes
• CTDM – EDF
• SMEM – SOLAR Inox – Groupe LIMITLESS
• PRIXE – WESTPOINT
• COTTRELL – Leader Mat
• Elizé – Madiana
• Mr Bricolage
• Royal – ADEP
• CFA UMIH Formation – RSMA
• Association Zizitata
• Mc Donald’s
• Association APRANT

Note that the Tour of the Yoles comes with its share of surprises: some crews may not be present, or the names of sponsors may change.

The History of the Yole in Martinique

The yole is a lightweight boat that can sail with one or two sails. It is considered traditional as it has traversed generations, remaining both a symbol and a unifying sports practice. Originally used for fishing, it was gradually replaced by motorized boats. However, some fishermen, attached to the yole, did not abandon it. It is both fast and easily adaptable according to needs.

The yole has evolved into a tool for sporting sensations. Its uniqueness lies in its multiethnic origins dating back to the pre-Columbian navigation period.

Origin of the Yole in Martinique

The yole succeeded its ancestor, the gommier. This smaller boat was used for fishing and unofficially for races. It got its name from the famous gommier tree used in its construction. Unfortunately, due to overexploitation, the gommier was quickly replaced by the yole, inspired by its larger sibling and European vessels from which it derived its name. The word "yole" has roots in Dutch "jol" and Danish "jolle."

Thus, the round yole in Martinique is much more appreciated than the gommier. It becomes a much more efficient navigation tool with better balance, requiring the crew much less effort. However, yole practitioners, or "yoleurs," are still considered high-level athletes.

As the competitive yole became more efficient, it can now reach up to 10.50 meters, while gommiers measured only 6.50 meters.

There are also "baby" yoles that had their first race in 1985. These are highly appreciated by young racers to whom transmitting the yole practice is important.

As the yole became popular, municipalities and other organizations took hold of the competition, which, at first, had no rules. But the passions it generated continue to grow. Many do not hesitate to watch the races and bet on the winning yole.

Round yole races are admired during events in municipalities such as patron saint festivals or even the national holiday. Indeed, the yole then becomes the object of a real organization with the help of an associative world to which sponsors and highly coveted prizes are added.

The Beginnings of the Tour des Yoles

The Tour de la Martinique en Yole Ronde was attempted and organized several times until it was halted due to adverse weather conditions.

Later, the event became unmissable and essential. Its founder, devoted to this Martinican cultural boat, was Georges Brival. He realized the significant commercial potential of the yole with its sails.

His investment in manufacturing and organizing races with his 8 yoles paved the way for the creation of the Society of Yoles and Gommiers in 1972 by Fernand Emica.

But it was under the leadership of the Society of Yoles Rondes that Georges Brival organized the Tour de la Martinique en Yoles Rondes. To this day, there have been 36 editions of this prestigious competition.

History of the Round Yole in a Few Dates:

• Pre-Columbian Period: Use of the Gommier by the Caribs
• 17th century: Presence of vessels recognized as yoles, particularly in Saint-Pierre.
• Before 1972: Transition from the use of the fishing yole to the racing yole
• 1972: Creation of the Society of Yoles and Gommiers
• 1984: Creation of the Society of Yoles de Martinique
• 1985: First Tour des Yoles Rondes de Martinique
• Today, the Society of Yoles Rondes de Martinique operates under the name of the Federation of Yoles Rondes de Martinique. Since its creation in 1972, this association is now 50 years old.

The Art of Crafting a Yole

Crafting a yole is a true art, with no need for models or plans; everything is based on the feelings of the person making it. However, they do take into account ancient models and the navigation needs of the skippers or those who request the construction.

How to Craft a Yole?

To craft a yole, various types of wood are accessible. The significance of a yole lies in its history, which begins long before its navigational capabilities. Many who practice yole also participate in its crafting to give it shape, size, and, most importantly, an identity.

Firstly, one must acquire the wood that will be used to construct the different parts of the yole.

For example, woods such as pear and red mahogany are used for the frames or "ribs," and tech wood, angelique, and amaranth for the keel. Thin wooden planks called "strakes" are placed outside the frames. Its hull is made of solid wood. The bow at the front of the yole is also made from mahogany or pear. The stern forms the rear part of the yole. All these elements contribute to creating a boat weighing nearly 800 kg.

Yole Accessories

Once the base of the yole is constructed, it also includes accessories.

• The Faux Mast, added to the front of the yole as support for the main mast carrying the sail.
• The Tet Pagay (paddlehead) in a T shape serves as support for the paddle.
• The Upright Woods, manipulated by the racers, stabilize the yole.
• The Tole Wood ensures the support of the upright woods and sheets.
• The Dog's Head is simply the pointed end at the top of the bow.

To learn more, check out our dedicated articles on bwa dréssé (upright wood).

Thus, crafting a yole requires assembling various woods from Martinique, but even more so from the Antilles-Guyane and Central and South America.

It's worth noting that the yole is a true institution because, despite its high construction cost, enthusiasts do not hesitate to undertake it.

Subsequently, the yole is painted and named in the colors of its owner or crew, with the sail reflecting the sponsor's or association's colors.

The Yole: International Representation of Martinique

The Tour de la Martinique in round yole, being so unique, arouses curiosity on an international scale. Its practice is so remarkable that in 2020, the yole was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. It was selected for the criterion of good safeguarding practices.

The yole is indeed remarkable because enthusiasts are keen on transmitting both its crafting and its practice.

Discover the testimony of Darvy Forestier, your Airlocal guide in the world of round yole.

The efforts made to safeguard the yole are commendable, considering that it could have disappeared due to the advent of vessels considered more efficient and made from less traditional materials, taking into account new navigation standards for fishermen.

The yole has thus continued its history thanks to the goodwill of enthusiasts and the fervor of the people. Nowadays, the yole aims to be even more inclusive, welcoming more women on board, organizing educational projects for the younger generation, and arranging journeys beyond the territory.

To learn more about the exciting relationship of Martinicans with the Yole, we invite you to enjoy this street interview discussing the grand return of the tour in 2022 after the Covid-19 pandemic.