Jeremiah Benavente sits in the hull of Den Yo Povi, during a test of her buoyancy in April. Den Yo Povi officially launches from the Guma Sakman on Dec. 2.
Jeremiah Benevente paints Den Yo Povi.
THE official launch of Den Yo Povi, 500 Sails’ latest 15-foot Chamorro canoe, has been moved to Dec. 2, 500 Sails Executive Director Junior Coleman said.
The canoe launch will take place at Guma Sakman Beach at 11 a.m.
500 Sails originally scheduled Den Yo Povi’s first sail for Nov. 18, but inclement weather forced its cancelation.
Den Yo Povi will be the third 15-foot Chamorro canoe built by 500 Sails and will belong to their longtime volunteer and life-long talayeru, or cast net fisherman, Jeremiah Benevente.
The canoe is a reflection of Benevente’s Native American and Chamorro heritage. It is a Chamorro designed vessel but decorated with Native American motifs. The canoe shares a name with his mother and means “Blue Spruce Blossom.”
