Paddle practice at Gamboa boat ramp

April 1, 2009

Rebecca and I spent the night last night prior to travelling at her brother Patrick’s house, as I had just completed a trip the day prior to our travels to Panama. We arrived early for flight 435 to Panama City which departed at 0700. Since we had minimal sleep, I spent a significant part of the flight sleeping, and woke as the shining Caribbean gave way to the forest covered terrain of Panama.
The flight overflew the isthmus, and I was able to catch a glimpse of the Pacific shoreline, and an incoming swell. We landed, and proceeded through the lengthy baggage retrieval and customs process. At this hour in the morning, the lines moved swiftly, however, Rebecca’s checked bag was the last to make it to the carousel.
Got an AVIS rental car, and thoroughly inspected for damage, alerting the attendant of every tiny scratch so the small diagram of the car on the inspection sheet looked like a porcupine with blue quills. That process is a necessity in overseas car rentalship.
Our driver Richard, skillfully navigated us through traffic, and our first stop is Anita’s house. All the while our driver explains the proper method of Latin American traffic technique, and the “karma” of Panamanian driving, with heavy emphasis on the” block” and the “creep”.
Our lunch was at the Albrook mall at Pizza Italia, which is a Napoli knock off, however, the pepperoni pizza is still yummy. We quickly are dropped off at the Casa de Reyes, retrieve the front door key from the pre-designated secret spot, and change for our first cayuco practice. We are at Gamboa, and ready to practice within hours of arrival in Panama.
The NIC is the cayuco Richard has arranged for our crew. She is freshly painted a shiny gold with yellow and black letters. A good looking boat. It is evident from our first two hour paddle that this craft is a very stable, and less tippy than the Rojo Diablo. A true performer. The gunwales are quite low, however, this is a time proven cayuco, having raced many times on this very canal.
We launch the boat at the Gamboa boat ramp, and head out under the low, one lane bridge at the inlet to the Panama Canal. Rich directs Diana to steer, and advises to stay out of the shipping lane. We pass 4 ships on our 1 hour upwind paddle through the emerald green forest on either side. The boat is performing like a dream, and takes some great rollers from the passing ships.
As we turn around, and head back toward Gamboa, we accelerate upon gaining a view of the dredging division, and the telltale cranes Titan and Hercules. It is a good practice, and this crew is feeling ready to race two days from now.
This evening, all the Canal Zonians converge on Napolis outside the old Canal Zone, roughly located near the old Ancon Inn, now defunct. It is a festive gathering, and all the former residents are steeped in conversations from, “back in the old days” The night would not be complete without a visit to the Elks Club, hence, our final stop , except for Andrew’s tour of his rental property, including his private 1 bedroom apartment getaway, which surprisingly has a window view from the shower to the room? What is all that about?