A caballito de totora is a traditional Peruvian reed boat.
The craft is made from bundles of totora reeds, a plant that grows in wetlands and shallow waters around parts of Peru. Its Spanish name means “little horse of totora,” reflecting the way fishermen sit astride the narrow vessel while paddling.
Caballitos de totora have been used on Peru’s northern coast for fishing and transport for centuries. Archaeological and artistic evidence links similar reed craft to ancient coastal cultures, including the Moche and Chimú.
These boats are often discussed in histories of wave riding because their riders launch through coastal surf and use the vessels in breaking-water conditions. They are not the same as modern surfboards, however, and the caballito de totora is primarily a traditional fishing craft rather than a contemporary competition board.