And as it pertains to the controversy over the race ending at the Haulover Bridge, this team of veterans was able to give us a deeper insight. A big part of the competitiveness of the race is actually in the Haulover Channel. That has been a make or break component of the race for many paddlers and has been able to "Separate the men from the Boys"
Daniel Cruz Sr., Paddler
"We done expect to finish at the Belcan Bridge, but we can't decide. Love FM, They are the main sponsor, they decide where the race is going to finish, but we expect to paddle that channel. But if we can't this year, probably the next couple of years they finish it again at Belcan."
Reporter
"How does that change the experience for you?"
Daniel Cruz Sr., Paddler
"Well, it's still a big difference because that channel to the finish is 45 minutes, and from there it decides who gets in there first."
"Or if any team is already a little bit tired, the next team has an advantage to open a gap on the other team, especially if the team is not too heavy. If they are light, they have a big advantage here to the finish."
Francisca Pfaender, Paddler
"Like my brother said, in the channel you expect everything. That's just because the first team that went in there, that means that they're going to win. It gives opportunity to the other teams to come from behind. Or even the team that is going on the front, it allows them to open a gap between. If you want to leave your other competitors more at the back, that gives you more opportunityOr it gives you to catch the other team down. Like I said, it's important for the paddlers to paddle that canal. Because some paddlers are looking forward to it. Because some paddlers decide, ok, we're going to paddle not hard on the open water. But as soon as we enter the canal, that's where we're going to make our move. That's where we're going to give it all we got. Just to open that gap between the other teams. So I think it was important for the paddlers. And that's why I think a lot of the paddlers feel disappointed on it. That the organizers didn't think what the paddlers were going to think about it. How they were going to take it. How were they going to feel. And you know, it's like the sponsor too. Because without the sponsors, the paddlers can't do anything. And without the paddlers, the sponsor, you know. And the same with the organizer."
"Without any paddlers, there won't be any race."
