La Ruta Maya

I did the La Ruta Maya Canoe Race/Challenge this past weekend, which is one of the greatest accomplishments in my life. Over 170 miles of paddling from Western to Eastern Belize.

Pre-Race
Joel and I arrived in San Ignacio around 11 am to do some last minute shopping/preparations for the race. Jacob arrived with the boat, paddles and life jackets at around 4:30 pm. Not knowing what the race really was about we thought we were going to be fine with out 150 boat, child like life jackets and our 3 wooden paddles, I repeat wooden paddles: 1st one was 10 pounds and approx. 5 feet tall, 2nd one was 8 pounds and 4ft tall and the last one was relatively light weighing in at approx 2 pounds. Let the record state that half of the boats in the competition are simply there to have fun and complete the race, the other 45% are there to compete while the other 5% are trying to win. The difference between those trying to win and those having fun is as follows: carbon fiber paddles weighing less than 5 oz., canoes that weight less than 30 lbs, year long training sessions, slim life jackets and pit crews that swim out to their boat and drop supplies in if necessary. We did not have any of that. We had the heaviest boat in the competition, the heaviest paddles, we didn't practice, huge life jackets and we carried all our food and water in our boat.

Day 1
Getting used to paddling because we had never paddled together before. We look obnoxious because we are the only team using wooden paddles. Day one was just exhausting and I am convinced we were the hardest working team in the race that day due to the weight in our boat and paddles.

Day 2
Wow I was sore so I took a Ibuprofen. Mistake. This allowed me to not feel my soreness so I could paddle harder and therefore I was more sore the next morning. Half way through the 69 mile day we convinced the safety crew to give us their lightweight paddles and we switched out the ten pound beast appropriately called BEN HUR. 2 wooden paddles one light paddle. This was the longest day of the race and it wasn't that bad. I think we just got into a grove and zoned out.

Day 3
I was really sore to start the race but got through it. Julie's 4H boat had dropped out of the competition so I asked if we could use her boat's light weight paddles and they said yes so this was our first day with relatively light paddles. This was out first full day of sun and the river was really flat with not very many rapids.

Day 4
Our best day by far. It was only 25 miles, but the wind and ocean current were going against us. I was in front and the middle for the first 3 days and we decided to switch it up so I sat in back steering the boat. I think this had something to do with our strong finish. I felt more comfortable controlling the ship and we seemed to swerve a lot less.

Looking back on the competition, it was as if we were running a marathon without training: not an easy task; despite the grueling conditions of the race, it was enjoyable and worthwhile for a number of reasons. Next year I hope to have a lighter boat, lighter paddles and pre-race training that includes rowing a canoe.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss