Palma in 1928 - an era of change and new beginnings. The Portixol Yacht Club existed at that time only as an idea of some residents of El Molinar. The historic city walls had already been demolished at the beginning of the century, which led to many factories moving from the historic center to up-and-coming neighborhoods like Molinar de Llevant. This period of upheaval was reinforced in 1920 by the introduction of the new electric tramway that connected Molinar de Llevant with the rest of the city.
At that time, long before the tourism boom began, industry was flourishing and gradually displacing traditional agriculture. ElMolinar underwent an impressive transformation: the former neighborhood that had grown up around windmills and fishing in the late 18th century became a modern working-class district with refineries, power plants, soap factories and the production of oils, carob sugar, paper, cardboard and perfume. Industrialization brought prosperity to the region and enabled people to afford one or two luxuries - such as a small boat to go out fishing on weekends.
Origin of the Portixol Yacht Club
In 1929, the residents of Molinar decided to create the Portixol Yacht Club. At that time there was no waterfront, so the coastline of Palma looked completely different than today. The first club building at that time was nothing more than a simple fisherman's hut with a thatched roof, which housed the club's few boats. The board meetings were held in a nearby bar. Despite difficult times and a civil war, in 1951, with efficient management and great enthusiasm, they ventured to build the first floor of the present headquarters.
In the 70s and 80s, thanks to new management concessions and the annexation of land areas, the club expanded and extended to the mouth of the Na Bàrbara stream. During this period, additional jetties were built, which led to a significant increase in the number of moorings and members.
Almost a century later, the Portixol Yacht Club is still one of the prestigious institutions, but much has changed. Today there are around 380 members and almost 300 modern boats that populate the club's moorings. Gone are the days of the old wooden launches and 4 to 5 meter boats that once dominated the harbor. Modern fiberglass boats and powerboats are now the norm, and the atmosphere at the club has changed. It's not as family-oriented as it once was. Members come to sail and then leave. The days of dressing up on Sundays to hang out and chat at the club are long gone.
It used to be a common practice to catch shrimp in the evening and use them as bait, with the shrimp then being offered for sale at the club. Members used to arrive early, enjoy a relaxed aperitif and then set off on their fishing expeditions.
Nowadays, recreational behavior has changed radically. People show up later at the club, go on boat trips, and fishing in the region has almost come to a standstill. To find fish at all anymore, it is necessary to travel long distances on the water. The fishermen of yesteryear knew the best fishing grounds from prominent landmarks such as the cathedral, Castell de Bellver or the Serra mountains. Nowadays, GPS and sonar devices are essential, but even with them it is difficult to find good fishing grounds, because fish stocks have dwindled considerably.
Future
The Portixol Yacht Club in Spanish called "Club Náutico Portixol ", celebrated last August its 95th anniversary and is currently investing in the modernization of its facilities. The club conception was renewed in December 2022, and by December 2025 the clubhouses should be completely renovated. Members hope that once the work is completed, the authorities will find a solution so that the clubs can continue their activities. Major anniversary celebrations are being planned, but will be postponed to accommodate the financial efforts for the construction work. They want to focus on the future and look forward to the clubs' upcoming centennial anniversaries.
In recent years, the whole Portixol area has also become more and more popular and has become a modern area that is active all year round. Once a simple fishing village, it has now been transformed into a contemporary resort. Numerous renovation projects and infrastructure development have made Portixol a place perfectly suited to the digital era. High-speed Internet connections, modern amenities and the quality of the renovated buildings contribute to Portixol's modern village character.
Nevertheless, if you stroll through Portixol today, you have preserved the charm as a former fishing village. The old fishing houses have been lovingly restored and give the area its unique character.
If you stroll through Portixol today, you will feel the successful combination of tradition and modernity. The waterfront restaurants and bars are contemporary, inviting and cozy. The Portixol Yacht Club itself also offers a pleasant restaurant where you can enjoy fresh local food and lunch menus on an authentic terrace. These are places that honor their past while opening up to the future.
