The "slim and trim" boys of the Guava Limb Team walked away as this year's La Ruta Maya champs after four days on the river. It was the first time 19-year-olds Javier Guardado and Andres Cabb, and 15-year-old Daniel Cruz competed in the 'pro' category, but their years of experience and ability to work as a team came in handy during those long mornings spent paddling.
And for the three teenagers, all the hard work was worth it when they finally crossed that finish line. Courtney Menzies was at the Belcan Bridge yesterday as residents gathered to watch the anticipated end of the race. Here is that story.
After four grueling days of non-stop paddling, Team Guava Limb came out on top for this year's La Ruta Maya River Challenge.
They started out in the west, taking the big win on day one at Banana Bank Lodge, and the team captain said while they conserved energy for the next two days they put their all into the final leg, crossing the finish line first at Belcan Bridge after a furious sprint.
Javier Guardado, Team Guava Limb
"I feel proud of myself and my teammates that we managed to come in first in the Belikin La Ruta Maya and to win the first day and the last day. From months before, that was the plan, to try to win the first day and the last day, because we know that in the canal it's hard, but the other team, and like the first day it was shallow so that's our advantage. So we knew we were going to win it but we weren't sure."
"In the other two days between, like how in the first day we managed to put some time on Team Pact because you know Team Pact is one of the best teams. So the second day we just tried to ride and rest and reach to the finish with them and the third day as well and well today, try to do something better."
"The hardest part I felt it was today because like entering the canal it was wavy, a lot of water was going into the canoe and it was right there Team Koop went, they opened a big gap on us and in there we had to chase and we still managed to catch them and win them to the sprint."
Courtney Menzies:
"Is this your first year winning?"
Javier Guardado, Team Guava Limb
"As pro yes, but last year we placed first in family and second overall. And this year, we had to go pro because we already old in this."
Courtney Menzies:
"Do you feel like you'll be competing next year again."
Javier Guardado, Team Guava Limb
"Well, sure. I hope so with my two partners too because teamwork matters a lot."
And though the other two paddlers are also teenagers, they still have years of experience working as a team.
Daniel Cruz, Team Guava Limb
"I've been doing it for five years."
Courtney Menzies:
"And you're fifteen so you've been doing it since you were ten?"
Daniel Cruz, Team Guava Limb
"Nine."
Courtney Menzies:
"What made you decide to join the race so young?"
Daniel Cruz, Team Guava Limb
"Well, you know my family does it, then I did it one time then I liked it, so I continued and I still love it. I feel proud of myself and my two teammate, we did it."
Andres Cabb, Team Guava Limb
"I feel proud of myself and for my two partners because without them we couldn't make it out here and we managed to keep up with the top guys and we won."
"It was very tiring because they wanted to open gaps on us because we had the most time, but we managed to keep up with them."
But it wasn't just their teamwork and dedication - the support they received helped pushed them down 175 miles of rivers to the end.
Courtney Menzies:
"How do you feel with all the support you've been getting, a lot of people have been cheering for Guava Limb."
Javier Guardado, Team Guava Limb
"That helps a lot because you know when you hear, Guava Limb, it gives you more energy. And I want to give thanks to all of those people out here supporting us and to my family out here and those ones from home who are watching on TV too, they're supporting us and that matters a lot."
Koop Sheet Metal placed second, and last year's champs, Team Pact, came in third.
