The 54th annual cayuco
racing season is about to get underway. Under the sponsorship of
Club de Remos de Balboa (CREBA), the Balboa Paddle Club, a series
of cayuco races are scheduled to begin on Jan. 27 with a seven-mile
paddling race along the causeway. Three other races are scheduled,
culminating in the world renowned Nissan Ocean to Ocean Cayuco Race
that will take place March 30, 31 and April 1.
Cayucos are dug-out
canoes, usually fashioned out of a single tree, that traditionally
have been used by the indigenous indians of Panama as their main
form of transportation. Recognizing the historical and ecological
significance of these simple but utilitarian boats, the Boy Scouts
of America, back in 1954, under the leadership of Wes Townsend,
organized the preparation and racing of these primitive crafts into
a merit badge activity, which grew in popularity.
However, in 1999 with
the end of the American era in the Canal Zone and the subsequent
exit of the boy scouts, a void was created that threatened a tradition
that featured a sport that was unique to Panama. That’s when
the Balboa Paddle Cub was founded in 2000 by a small but dedicated
group of adult and teen-aged volunteers in order to fill the vacancy
left by the scouts and keep the tradition alive. According to Pablo
Prieto, the founding father of CREBA and a past participant, whose
children also competed, "We are a non-profit club dedicated
to the promotion of the sport of paddling and the conservation of
the Panama Canal watershed."
Marisa De Arco, the
President of CREBA, explained "Our mission is to foster the
sport of paddling cayucos for both youth and adults through a team-oriented
program that emphasizes endurance and healthy competition in an
atmosphere of environmental consciousness and social responsibility."
The Cayuco Race that takes place between March and April.
By encouraging area
youth and adults, both native and ex-pat as well as visiting athletes
to paddle native indian dug-outs, the Balboa Paddle Club hopes to
fulfill its vision, which is to encourage "an appreciation
for native treasures unique to the Republic of Panama, including
such things as indian lore, local flora and fauna and the Panama
Canal."
Once again an ambitious
series of four races are scheduled for Panama’s dry season.
The Balboa Yacht
Club Cup, Jan. 27
Really a tune-up race, the teams of four, male female
and co-ed start at the Balboa Yacht Club and then paddle for four
kilometers up around Flamigo Island and back along the causeway.
The Melia Panama
Canal Cup, Feb. 10
This 3.6 mile circuit race, emphasizes teamwork and control
as the paddlers must circle the course twice.
The Gamboa Rainforest
Resort Cup, March 17
Held in the Chagres River in front of the Gamboa Rain
Forest Resort, this race is actually a series of cayuco "drag
races," with heats of three boats sprinting along a short course
of just a quarter of a mile.
The Nissan Ocean
to Ocean Cayuco Race, March 30, 31 & April 1
The grand daddy of all cayuco races, this year’s
event could host over 90 teams, with a real international feel to
it. In addition to many local teams, both native Panamanian and
ex-pat, teams from Central and South America, the United States
and even Europe come for the opportunity to have a totally unique,
world-class sporting experience in one of the most unusual and scenically
beautiful settings anywhere. The teams compete in two categories,
the Trophy Class, 14 to 21; and the Open Class, 22 and over. Every
team that completes the arduous coast-to-coast course receives a
patch signifying their accomplishment. Meanwhile, a few of the strongest
teams vie for Master Paddler honors which can only be accomplished
by collecting all five colored beads signifying a victory in all
five stages of the three-day water marathon. This prestigious award,
which has proven to be a motivator for the kids, was created by
Marcos Ostrander in the 1980s.
Prieto, who is the race
coordinator is quick to point out that "we count on the support
of the Autoridad del Canal de Panama (ACP) The Panama Canal Authority
to conduct a safe event in canal waters that can be enjoyed by the
participants as well as the spectators."
Another event planned
that did not have a date as of press time is the annual Panama Canal
Railway train trip to the Melia Panama Hotel. With the support of
Dave Starling, the railway President, this train ride serves as
a fund raiser to help support the club’s series of races.
For more information, as well as date and time, be sure to check
www.cayucorace.org.
The costs of promoting
these races are considerable, not the least of which is the preparation
of the boats, which start out as primitive dug-out logs and are
streamlined by local crafctsmen and some of the competitors in a
small workshop near the Diablo boat ramp. "We’re also
looking for more sponsors," DeArco mentioned. "We’d
love to build a clubhouse, which would give a place for the youngsters
and volunteers to gather," DeArco said. "We’re trying
to present a positive image for the sport of paddling and for Panama,
so we can use all the help we can get."
"We think this sport
is very beneficial to our kids," Prieto commented, "since
it teaches discipline, commitment and teamwork. We also think that
the international aspect of the ocean to ocean race helps to promote
tourism and shows off the youth of Panama in a favorable light."
