The original Amerindian fishing boats of St. Lucia were the dugout canoes. But while today's craft seen here have in their construction retained that look, they sport a modern protruding wooden blade at the bow.
The fleet seen here at Coin L'anse are resting in the shadow of the towering Petit Piton, not far from the well-known town of Surfier.
The Surfier area is dominated by both Petit and Gros Pitons, the two mountainous products of a pre-historic volcanic activity.
Surfier is today famous for its sulphur springs but was once the bread-basket of St. Lucia. Its significance goes back to the French Revolution when it was considered an aristocratic and social centre, and as well the scene of notorious guillotine executions.
