And for the first time in history, paddlers went against the norm and staged a "Protest Paddle". Over 20 out of the 58 teams joined in to send a strong statement to the organizing committee. Our team was also there - and here's the story:
All teams crossed the finish line at the finale of the Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge but for the first time in history, paddlers made a u-turn and started paddling upstream - in the other direction.
They did this as a protest against the race committee's decision to end the race at The Grand Resort and Residence as opposed to the traditional Belcan Bridge.
It was a sight to see as tired paddlers garnered enough strength to muscle through the Haulover Channel and complete their extended paddle. But this wasn't your ordinary paddle, they weren't racing, there was no competition, this was love for the sport, passion and unity. The paddlers waited for each other along the way and when they approached the Belcan, they attached Belize flags to their canoes. These teams put all they've been saying over the past 2 weeks and made it real in the river - where the patriotism, plus the feeling of a community coming together was palpable. Fans at the Haulover and received them with spirited cheers and a feeling of pride:
It was National Heroes and Benefactors Day but one would like to think that in that brief moment, these paddlers became modern day heroes, standing up for what they believe in.:
Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoe Association
"This was not planned, this happened in two days, where everybody just pooled together and said you know what well if the paddlers are going to BelCan bridge, then we can't have an empty ground there for them, so a lot of people just came together and started donating this and saying they would do that and this is what happens when the community gets together and stand as one."
The Canoe Association also made a deft strategic partnership with CIB Brewery which is Belikin's competition. Penner said that the display was evidence of what two days of mobilization and a fair amount of stubbornness can do. Penner believes this is step one of a change that's coming and says the Harrison Family has made some promises him, but they don't own the race in its entirety:
Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoe Association
"We have been promised by the family, the Harrison family, which this whole thing will take a while, the transition will take a while but I believe there will be a transition which the family will take over, we the association do not want to run La Ruta Maya, we are not here to run La Ruta Maya. We have the umbrellas under which La Ruta Maya can fit, it would be a perfect fit. We are a part, we are the association, the federation registered in Belize, we are officially legally representing all our members who is the paddlers, we have COPAC which is the regional body, which is all the America and then we have the ICF so if done properly and the Ruta Maya gets sanctioned just simply sanctioned by the association that gives the race, all the fans, all the paddlers, everybody in the world that wanna come and do this race that opens the door where La Ruta Maya can become an official ICF sanctioned race that this can become a world event so all the entities, all the bi laws all the safety precautions that we have to take everything is already there. The only thing that needs to happen is that the members or the Ruta Maya organizing committee gets under that umbrella and then we can guide them to properly run it."
The association clearly has a vision of where it wants to take this race and is pleading for a seat at the table. Long time supporter Raynard Humphreys was able to pool monetary donations via a call for action on his Facebook page. He said that the message that they sent out was more like a call to action:
Raynard Humphreys, Supporter
"Everybody that's been looking at the race could tell that this isn't just about the ending, it's about years of abuse and stuff that these paddlers have been dealing with and so it was easy to pull the funds together. We have so many people, I'm actually overwhelmed by the amount of support and I'm extremely grateful that these people trust me to use their money to instrument change."
Reporter
"What's the total figures we're looking at?"
Raynard Humphreys, Supporter
"We have upwards of 2,000 dollars but we're giving the first 20 canoes to come in which I think is the widest distributed station prize ever. We're gonna give 100 dollars to each one of these canoe. We know that they're forfeiting probably their free meals and stuff and my job is to use this to make sure they're covered and then the rest we're gonna split it up and use it to make change."
"I think it's more than just a race and I think it's more than just Ruta Maya. I think it's a chance for Belizeans to see what happens when you stand up for something."
And even though the winning team did not make their way to the Belcan, their Team Manager, Francis Usher said that he supports the paddlers that choose an alternative option.
Francis Usher, Pact On Trak, Team Manager
"We support the paddlers 100%, one hundred percent we support the paddlers but the team worked hard for their first place so we're staying to collect our first place but we nevertheless, despite our first place prize, we are supporting the paddlers 100%."
And the battle for control of La Ruta Maya has really just begun. But for now, Penner says that they just want to be involved.
Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoe Association
"If you call this facing something then I think we have something great to look forward because once the paddlers have their say and the fans they feel included through the paddlers, the sponsors of the teams are happy, if this can happen in two days imagine what can happen when the paddlers are properly consulted and all the sponsors are given the opportunity to be involved in this big race."
And finding that future balance between corporate interests and prioritizing paddlers will be a mighty challenge in the next few months - because while the last paddle strokes may be in - the fallout from this year's costly dispute is far from over.
Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
We will be keeping a close eye on what comes next between negotiations and lawsuits.
