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In March of 1998, three brothers from a nearby village paid me a visit. The Martinez Brothers asked me if I had heard of the upcoming race from San Ignacio to Belize City.
"What, a cross country race in a canoe?", Who had heard of such an incredible adventure! Not I! "Would you sponsor us?", said Dennis. "Sure, but what does it involve?" said I. "Well, you pay the entrance fee for us and lend us a canoe", said Tom. "Sounds good, but when is it?" "Tommorrow!", said Mario. Wow, some dialogue! And that was how I first got involved.
Well, I got my trusty old aluminum Osagian canoe, a few home made paddles, some wax to wax the bottom (I was sure at the time that would make it "skate" across the water top), and some water, candy bars, a tent, and of coarse, toilet paper and bug spray! My wife and I got to the river's edge at about 4:30 am for the first ever cross country canoe race. The Matrinez brothers got to the river by hitch hiking (at 4 in the morning!). We loaded in the supplies and the guys got in... Woops! I forgot that there are only 2 seats. Well, a farmer makes a plan. So I ran off to my In-laws house and borrowed an empty beer crate and some cardboard! With that fixed, we were ready for anything! The race started around 6:30 am for the first day of 4 days that I'm sure none of us will ever forget.
It did not take long for the Hob Brothers to take the lead. Three light weight, wirey Mestizos from the village of Bullet Tree proved to be the right combination for the tiny 16 foot fiberglass lake canoe. They snapped up every station prize from San Ignacio to Belize City. The 98 Black Rock Lodge Team, no matter how they tried, could not catch them. But determination stopped the Martinez Brothers from dropping out. The paddled on hard for 180 miles! Eventually placing 9th in the first ever Ruta Maya Canoe Race |
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