2014 |
Race Announcement:
Sun. June 1 - Flowers Bank Festival Canoe Race The Flowers Bank Festival pays tribute to the historic 1797 Public Meeting in which the votes of fourteen men referred to as the “Flowers Bank 14,” were decisive in the decision to stay and defend the settlement in what became the Battle of St. George’s Caye. A part of the activities is a canoe race on Sunday, June 01, 2014 starting at 1:00pm. Registration for the race is $50. Registration can be done any time before the race. You can get a copy of the race registration by clicking here. The race will be 15 laps around the buoys in front of the viewing area. The race is opened to everyone and includes all Categories: Male, Female, Mixed, Masters, Juniors, Pleasure and Intramural. The first 10 teams that register will receive a complimentary t-shirt! The prizes for this race are: All first place finishers in each category will receive a trophy, cash prize and medals, second place will receive cash and medals, whilst place finishers will receive medals only. |
2013Race Announcement:
Flowers Bank Festival Canoe Race - June 1 The Flowers Bank Festival pays tribute to the historic 1797 Public Meeting in which the votes of fourteen men referred to as the “Flowers Bank 14,” were decisive in the decision to stay and defend the settlement in what became the Battle of St. George’s Caye. A part if the activities, is a canoe race on Saturday, June 01, 2013 starting at 1:30 pm. Registration for the race is $50. Registration can be done anytime before the race. You can get a copy of the race registration by clicking here. The race will be from Flowers Bank Village to Bermudian Landing Bridge, turn around under the bridge and return to Flowers Bank for the BIG finish. The race is for MEMBERS ONLY and includes all Categories: Male, Female, Mixed, Masters, Juniors, Pleasure and Intramural. If you're thinking about participating in race, and you're not a member, membership forms will be available for you before the start of the race. The first 15 teams that register will received a complimentary t-shirt and all paddlers will be given food! The prizes for this race are: All 1st place in every category will receive $250 cash and each paddler will get a gold medal, 2nd place for each category will receive $125 cash and each paddler will received a silver medal, and 3rd place finishers will receive a bronze medal each, cash prize may be considered depending on the number of turn outs. All participants will receive points toward the end of year awards! |
Flowers Bank Festival 2013 - Race Results
A highlight of the Flowers Bank Festival was a canoe race from Flowers Bank to Bermudian Landing Bridge and back to Flowers Bank Village, which was held on Saturday, June 1st, 2013. Six canoes participated in five different categories. The Festival paid tribute to the historic 1797 Public Meeting in which the votes of fourteen men referred to as the “Flowers Bank 14,” were decisive in the decision to stay and defend the settlement in what became the Battle of St. George’s Caye. The day turned out well for racing as compared to last year’s – when it rained all day. The race got started just before 2pm in route to the Bermudian Landing Bridge, but shortly after, team “Watt A Ting” (John Searle, Michael Searle, and Francis Codd) sponsored by Sea Sports Belize had to come ashore to repair a broken seat before they could continue on. Nonetheless, they repaired the seat and off they went. They had a lot of catching up to do! At Bermudian Landing Bridge coming around the view point was Team “Guydis Canoes - I” with Chris Guydis, Euken Arnold, and Jermaine Sanchez. Riding their wave was “Ziprider” (Jerry Rhaburn, Wilberto Daniels, and Tyreek Thompson) sponsored by Discovery Expeditions as they came towards the bridge for the turn around and were off to Flowers Bank. These were the only two male teams competing against each other and given that they were almost evenly matched, they had potential for an exciting sprint at the finish line. Arriving third at the midway point was,” Turd’z” the Intramurals (Elvis Sutherland, Derocy Haylock, and Glenford Sutherland) sponsored by Raymond Woods. They were followed closely by the Juniors team “Black Orchid Runners”, (Matthew Mask, Jeffery Seguro, and Martin Gideon). Not long later was Jayda Guydis, Yensie Desouza, and Eldon Sanchez of the Mixed team, “Guydis Canoes – II”. Still catching up was Watt A Ting who was trailing behind by several minutes getting to the bridge. At the finish line the crowd was anticipating and expecting a big sprint to the finish line between Chris’ and Jerry’s teams, but the sprint was not possible. Chris and his teammates took the last curve to Flowers Bank Village finishing the race in solo fashion with a time of 2:29:14. “Ziprider” finished a few minutes later at 2:33:39 settling for second! So what happened? Why the big gap between both highly contested teams? After talking to Chris, he mentioned that “Ziprider” had unfortunately flipped over. Finishing third was “Turd’z” in 2:44:01. “Black Orchid Runners” finished fourth in 2:50:51. Taking fifth was “Guydis Canoes – II” completing the course in 3:02:38. “Watt A Ting” was unable to catch up, but still finished in 3:26:52. All first place teams in their respective categories received $300 cash; members each received a gold medal and a certificate. Second place teams received $200 cash along with a silver medal and a certificate for each member. Special thanks to Mr. Nigel Encalada and his staff at the Institute for Social and Cultural Research. Thanks to the Flowers Bank 14 Men Celebrations Committee, and Mr. Clinton Rhaburn, Chairman of the Flowers Bank Village Council for sponsoring and hosting this event. |
2012 |
Double Head Cabbage to Flowers Bank - Race Results
A highlight of the Flowers Bank Festival was a canoe race from Double Head Cabbage to Flowers Bank Village, which was held on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012.Eight canoes participated, six of which team members were decided on just prior to the race. The Festival paid tribute to the historic 1797 Public Meeting in which the votes of fourteen men referred to as the “Flowers Bank 14,” were decisive in the decision to stay and defend the settlement in what became the Battle of St. George’s Caye. Despite the rain, the high and fast flowing river, the paddlers came out for the race and there was no stopping them, despite some safety concerns especially for the young and inexperienced paddlers.As the teams were getting on the river to get the race started, a young and experienced team flipped and was having trouble getting their canoe upright. They were rescued by the Flowers Bank Boys, who paddled out to render assistance in the middle of the river. This was by no means an easy task trying to balance themselves, keeping the canoe from drifting and turning a canoe upright. To make this easy, Jerry and Justin both kept the canoe stable while Chris stood up in the canoe and single handedly picked up the canoe, drained the water and turned it upright.This was pretty awesome! After that amazing show, the teams were called to line up for the start of the race. Before the race took off, Mr. Nigel Encalada from the Institute for Social and Cultural Research shared a few words with everyone about the history of the Flowers Bank 14 and that the race and the festival in Flowers Bank was to honor those men.Also during that time it was announced that the safety boat that was to follow behind the race was a no-show, and all teams were asked to kindly assist any other teams that were in distress.After some convincing, two supporters - Adrian Myvett and Damien Stephenson volunteered to follow behind the race in a canoe to act as safety.Jerry Rhuburn offered the use of the Ziprider canoe and his paddles for this purpose. At this point the race took off and before Adrian and Damien could prepare themselves, they had to rush to the aid of the Coast Guard Redemption team who tipped at the start. Thereafter, the race was pretty much smooth paddling and all the fans took off towards the Landing Bridge where they awaited their favorite teams, cheering them on as they passed under the bridge. At Flowers Bank, it was home coming for the Flowers Bank Boys, (a fitting name as all 3 men,Jerry Rhaburn, Justin Sanchez and Chris Guydisall have ties there) completing the course in 1:46:00. They were followed closely behind by none other than the Wateva Boyz - Jesus Linaraes, Adrian Williams and Sergio Lopez, of the Intramural Category, sponsored by D & D Company Ltd. They finished at 1:46:45. A surprise third place went to a new entrant into the canoeing scene. Team Sprouts, in the Juniors Category, comprised of three young brothers, Michael, Kenrick, and Wilberto Daniels, ages 13, 14, and 15 respectively. They finished at 1:52:26. If you’ve been following post race reports, you’d know that we were keeping an eye on a team that has been moving up in placement with a surprising fourth place finish at 1:55:16. Who was it? Guess who? Sea Sports Belize with Michael Searle, Rudolph Gentle and John Searle of the Masters Category! John commented that it was the first time at least for ten minutes he actually saw what the front of a race looks like. “Hey John, I guess you can scratch that off your list now!” Congratulations Guys, you made top 5!Rounding in the top 5 was Matthew Mask, Dominique and Felix Leslie of the Gold Nuggets team from the Juniors Category - remember them from last race? They were sponsored by River Valley Cabins, and finished the route in 2:12:27 to take second. It’s also noteworthy to mention that this was also Felix’s first race. Taking the sixth position was the Black Orchid Resort’s Spitfire ladies, Pauline Vicente, Avis Guydis and Nyssa Batty. They completed the race in 2:18:37. Avis was a last minute decision replacement for her older sister Jayda. Finishing seventh was the third Juniors team, The Boom Teen Boys, comprised of Tyrick Thompson, Richard Escobar and Keron Alvarez. They got up the morning and decided they wanted to paddle the race, so they trekked over the Chris Guydis’ house to borrow a canoe and some paddles. Their time was 2:35:10. The eighth spot went to the Coast Guard Redemption Mixed Team, Sheridan Sambula, Jezebel Contreras and Roylee Flowers. However, only 2 paddlers finished the race in 3:09:47. At this point we were hoping to see Adrian and Damien in the safety canoe along with the third paddler from the Coast Guard Team, but they were not in sight. After some time has passed, Chris Guydis and Justin Sanchez went up river in the Reagan canoe to go look for them.Some forty minutes later or so, both canoes were seen coming around the curve in the heavy downpour of rain. After talking with Adrian as to why they were way behind, he explain that they had trouble keeping the canoe upright and they had overturned? as many as five times after taking in the female paddler from the Coast Guard. Adrian and Damien were recognized for their efforts and they were all smiles when the crowd applauded their volunteerism. When ask If they would do it again, they said once was enough.Both men were given some cash for their kind support. The participant turn out was small and therefore all teams were able to receive a cash prize and a certificate of participation. The overall winner received $300. The team in the Mixed, Intramural, Masters and Female Categories all received $200. The Juniors received $150, $100 and $50 for 1st, 2nd & 3rd respectively. Thanks to Mr. Nigel Encalada from the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, Mr. Emerson Guild, from the Patrimony Stewardship Working Group and the Belize Action Committee. Special thanks go to the Flowers Bank 14 Men Celebrations Committee, and Mr. Rhaburn, Chairman of the Flowers Bank Village Council for sponsoring and hosting this event. I’d also like to thank my lovely assistants for the day, Ms. Tanisha Chavarria for great Record Keeping and my daughter, who insisted on pressing that button on the air horn, frightening herself in the process. Lastly, if you didn’t get wet on Sunday, you surely didn’t have as much fun enjoying the race as those who did. Ricardo Salazar President, Belize Canoe Association |