2018 |
Belize Canoe Association 4th RF&G Up & Down River Challenge 2018 - Race Report
The 4th annual RF&G River Challenge was held on Saturday, February 10th, 2018. This canoe race takes us to Cayo, and normally sees paddlers travel down the Mopan River and then back up the Macal River from the Bullet Tree Bridge to the Hawksworth Bridge, turn, and sprint to the finish line at the Santa Elena Wooden Bridge. This year; however, as unprecedented showers flooded both rivers and would have made for a very turbulent start under the Bullet Tree Bridge, the start was taken a little further up-river, with the safety of all paddlers in mind. Starting from Mahogany Hall Resort in Bullet Tree, thirteen (13) canoes – in six categories - lined up and raced toward the twin towns. One team capsized just below the Bullet Tree Bridge, but were able to somehow quickly recover despite the raging rapids present. Don’t blink now, or you may just miss it! Normally a short, fast race, and with a little added speed from the help of Mother Nature herself, all canoes arrived at the Wooden Bridge in just under an hour, where the race ended, as the bridge was impassable. The race was controlled by the strong 2 man alliance of Daniel Cruz Sr. and Amado Cruz paddling in the Male category for Koop Sheet Metal 1, who came in first, in a record 42 minutes. Only 10 seconds later, the first Masters team – Print Belize/Wrobel & Co.’s Armin Lopez, Rudolph Gentle and Claudio Cruz - would cross the finish line, and take home second place overall. Taking an overall third place, Team Koop Sheet Metal 2 - Jerry Cante and Allen Lopez – had to settle for second in the Male Category – 25 seconds shy of their competition. The Young Vikings, Javier Guardado and Enrique Cruz, would pull up next, in 43 minutes, 14 seconds to take first in the Junior category and fourth overall. Rounding out the top 5 in 43 minutes, 44 seconds was the Mixed duo of Milenie Cabb and Eric Cano running for Westrac/UES. Two and a half minutes later, the second Junior Team – Belize Adventure Trails – pulled in, followed by the first Intramural Team, Scotia Bank Rural Boyz. Taking third in the Male category was Team PACT, while the Grumpy Old Men, paddled in to take second in the Masters category. The mixed team paddling for San Ignacio Hotel & Resort rounded out the top ten, taking 2nd place in their category in 48 minutes 39 seconds. Breaking the 50 minute mark, were the Female teams. The River Girls took first place in 50 minutes 55 seconds, while Team Ih No Matta took second in the female category and closed out the race in 53 minutes, 14 seconds. Sandwiched in between the two female teams, was Team Unbreakable, who even after tipping, finished valiantly in 52 minutes and 13 seconds. We take this opportunity to say thank you to our thoughtful and most obliging sponsor – Mr. Andrew Roe and RF&G Insurance Limited. Through his kind consideration, this year, all paddlers were once again able to receive a complimentary T-shirt and were handsomely fed. Likewise, the trophies, medals and a cash prizes of $170.00 each awarded to first place finishers, and the medals and cash prizes of $120.00 and $75.00 awarded to 2nd and 3rd place respectively were also made possible through our sponsor. At this time, we would also like to say thank you to RF&G’s marketing coordinator, Mr. L. Dawson, who supported the Executive in all planning aspects and in advertising the race – giving BCAnoe some much needed air time. And to our paddlers and fans, without whom, there would be no race, thank you for continuously showing up, and making each race a success. With that, we have completed three races this year and we look forward to seeing everyone at the next race – The Belize River Challenge – from Grace Bank to Manatee Lookout, formerly our Boom to City Race, on Saturday, February 24, 2018. See ya then! |
2015ANNOUNCMENT:
RF&G Up and Down River Challenge 2015 The RF&G Insurance Up and Down River Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, February 7th, 2015 starting at 10am. The race is open to anyone to participate in our seven categories (Male, Female, Mixed, Masters, Pleasure, Intramural, Juniors). Registration starts at 9am, at its $50 per teams. The Registration form is available here. About the race: It starts on the Mopan River from under the Bullet Tree Bridge, is a tricky and will be a slow starts because just beyond the bridge, there is a small waterfall that you’ll need to pass. Teams paddle downstream to Branch Mouth. At Branch Mouth the cable bridge is in the water and teams will either have to portage or try to navigate in the small space available where only one canoe can pass at a time. After that obstacle teams will make a right turn going upstream on the Macal River until they reach DuPlooy’s Jungle Lodge. There is a station prize there for the first canoe to arrive at the buoy, along will other surprize special prizes. Teams will then turn around paddle back downstream paddle pass the Wooden Bridge for a few yards, exit the river and run or walk if you can’t run carrying their canoe up the hill making a right turn for the big finish in front of Hode’s Place parking lot. Sounds exciting right? Sure is! All first place teams in each category will receive a trophy, medals and a cash prize; second place finishers will receive medals and a cash prize, whilst third place finishers will receive medals only. All paddlers will receive lunch at Hode’s Place. Come to DuPlooy’s river beach to see who will take that station prize and those other surprize special prizes. Then go to Hode’s Place to see the finish! See you all there!! |
RF&G UP and Down 2015 - Race Report
The Belize Canoe Association held its first Up and Down River Challenge in the Cayo District sponsored by RF&G Insurance. It’s the third race of the season; it attracted eleven canoes in all categories except Juniors. The race started on the Mopan River at the Bullet Tree Bridge and wound its way downstream to Branch Mouth and then upstream on the Macal to the turnaround point at DuPlooy’s Jungle Lodge. A station prize of a hundred dollars sponsored by DuPlooy’s for the first canoe to reach was won by Wateva Boyz. Turning here the canoes raced downstream into San Ignacio to the river bank by the Wooden Bridge where they then ran with the canoes to Hode’s Place for the finish. The first place finish sponsored by D & D Consultancy Ltd. was Intramural team Wateva Boyz - Jesus Linares and Sergio Lopez - at a time of 2:42:02. It’s noteworthy to mention that this is the first time the Male Category didn’t take the overall win. The first Male team at second overall was the Belize Bank Bulldogs - Armin Lopez, Daniel Cruz and Amado Cruz at 2:44:13. The third overall finish and 1st place Mixed at 2:50:38 was The Cruz Team - Hener Cruz, Erwin Cruz and Francisca Cruz – sponsored by Jeff Pfaender. Fourth overall at 3:00:47 and 2nd Intramural was the Turds sponsored by the Turds Sporting Club with Mark Jimenez, Glenford Sutherland and Jermaine Sutherland. Fifth to the finish and 3rd Intramural was team UB Black Jaguars also sponsored by Turds Sporting Club with Benedido Yalz, Hector Bejerano and Elvis Sutherland at 3:03:37. The first Pleasure in and at sixth overall spot was team Print Belize & Wrobel & Co. at 3:06:20 with Leroy Romero, Rudolph Gentle and Jason Trapp. Second Pleasure team and 7th overall was the Police Department’s Crime Fighters with Nery Waight, Armin Lopez Jr. and Carlos Linares at 3:08:23. The only Female team entered in at 8th position was the Belize Bank Female Team of Ana Camp, Lily Cruz and Delilah Cabb at 3:12:50. Ninth place finish was Masters Grumpy Old Men - Jerry Wilken, Stanley Bailey and Joe Segura at 3:30:21 sponsored by Caribbean Engineering Ltd. The 3rd place Pleasure team Pan We Own sponsored By We Self - Jerry Cante, Alex Cruz and Amando Lopez - were tenth overall at 3:47: 54. The 11th team not finishing the race was the Cayo Pitbulls sponsored by Challenge Gobie Foundations, Chaa Creek, and the Orange Gallery. All first place finishers in their respective categories received a trophy, medals and $150 cash. Second place received medals and $75 cash, whilst third place received medals and $50 cash. Special thanks to our race sponsor RF&G Insurance, thanks to DuPlooy’s Jungle Lodge for donating the station prize and also thanks to Hode’s Place for their contribution and for hosting us. We would like to acknowledge the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Traffic Department for their assistance with traffic control during our race. Finally all our teams, their fans, supporters and spectators who came out to help make the RF&G Insurance Up and Down River Challenge a success! Next Race: Boom to di City, powered by Guinness! MEMBERS ONLY - starting at 9am from Henderson’s Bank, registration $100 per team. |