And while the Coast Guard is gone, if they ever need it, villagers could just as easily use an internationally successful team of Belizean river rafter to get across....! Congratulations are in order tonight as “Team Belize,” the team that represented this country in a number of international canoe races. First was the Ocean to Ocean Canoe Race in Panama in April where they came in at an outstanding second place. The team was made up of Ruta Maya winners Armin Lopez, Daniel Lopez and Amado Cruz of Belize who teamed up with Kyle Minor, Andrew Stephens and William Russel of the USA.
And then earlier this month, “Team Belize” won the Texas Water Safari, a rugged race known for its difficulty. The race, which starts at San Marcus, Texas and finishes at sea drift, and took the team approximately 46 hours to complete it.
The team had to paddle an over 40 ft canoe through various obstacles such as dams and log jams. Each team in this race must take everything they will need with them in the canoe at the beginning of the race, since after it has started they can only be given water and ice.
Team Belize won in 2005, 2006, 2007, placed second in 2008, and won again in 2009.
