Two Canadians and two Hawaiians make for a powerful combination in Central America. Marleny Cotrim joined Canadian paddlers Laurel Archer and Jacinta Sheridan in making history at a 170-mile marathon canoe race in Belize City. Working with the training of
Two Canadians and two Hawaiians make for a powerful combination in Central America.
Marleny Cotrim joined Canadian paddlers Laurel Archer and Jacinta Sheridan in making history at a 170-mile marathon canoe race in Belize City.
Working with the training of Arthur Chow from the Niumalu Canoe Club, the trio of women paddlers started the race on March 7 and had the distinction of being the first women team to cross the finish line yesterday at La Ruta Maya River Race.
That marathon paddle took 20 hours, 13 minutes and 1 second, and according to an e-mail from Cotrim, was the first time a non-Belizean female team won the race.
“Only 2.5 hours from Atlanta, Ga., and we are a world away,” wrote Cotrim in her Teamalohaeh blog. “Landing at Belize ‘International’ Airport was like landing on Kaua‘i 20 years ago, or maybe longer.”
Cotrim said in her blog that everything about the highlands of Belize reminds her of Kaua‘i — the river looks like the Hule‘ia, the temperature is the same, and everybody speaks English.
“Only the morning jungle mist reminds me that I am in the middle of Central America (and the constant fear of jaguars and crocodiles),” Cotrim said in her blog.
The canoe the trio used to navigate La Ruta Maya River is called the Maaga Ting, and its creators, the staff at Chaa Creek, one of the event sponsors, note that the two Canadaian ladies and Kauaian “are the closest competition to the current champions, the all-Belize Team of Koop Sheet Metal.”
According to Cotrim’s e-mail, Maaga Ting means “skinny boat,” and it lives up to its name.
Cotrim said she fit in her seat perfectly and became comfortable.
“To my relief, the Canadians have agreed to stick to Hawaiian terms for the ‘kahi’ and ‘uni’ because I draw a blank when Laurel calls a ‘draw’, or a ‘cross bow something-or-other,’” Cotrim said.
The Cotrims arrived back on Kaua‘i last night following the epic training and race which saw them reach Belize City on March 3 for training before the start of the race March 7.
For more information, visit Cotrim’s blogspot at http://teamalohaeh.blogspot.com