Brothers Cruz to extreme victory

It’s called the Belize Extreme Canoe Race. And unlike its better known cousin that travels the same route down the Macal and Belize Rivers, this trip is not done for fun.

Eleven teams took part in the second annual event, and in case paddling virtually non-stop from San Ignacio to Belize City is not challenging enough, this year competitors had to start by portaging their vessels from town hall, across the Hawkesworth Bridge, before entering the waters of the Macal river.

At exactly 4:09 p.m. Pine Lumber, Pine Lumber Bark-Beetle, and Koop Sheet Metal took the early lead. These three teams would remain neck and neck throughout the entire marathon.

But it’s the B.D.F. boys who provided the best drama at the starting line as they take an afternoon dip in the river while the rest of the pack leaves them in their wake.

One hour and twenty minutes later the three front-runners approach the Spanish Lookout Ferry with Pine Lumber just slightly ahead of Koop Sheet Metal and Pine Lumber Bark Beetle.

After a gruelling twenty hours and twenty-two minutes of paddling Pine Lumber Bark Beetle crosses under the Belcan Bridge to take the title… a mere three minutes separate the second place team, also from Pine Lumber… and nine minutes later Koop Sheet Metal grabs the final spot on the podium.

Winning paddlers were the Cruz brothers: Efrain, Elmer and Felix. Rounding out the ten teams that finished the race, in order, are: Belize Bank, Chaa Creek, Atlantic Bank, Manatee Lodge, Maya Walk, San Ignacio Hotel, and Neon Plastics. The B.D.F. Team “threw in the paddle” at Burrell Boom. This year’s race took fifty-nine minutes longer than last year due to lower water levels on the river. The main sponsor for the Belize Extreme Canoe race was Belikin Beer.