The Cayuco Race

Panama March 26-28, 2010

The cayuco race is over!! The crew of MOAB finished respectably, even under duress.
Friday was the start of the cayuco race, beginning in the town of Colon on the Atlantic side of Panama. We assembled the crews of NIC and MOAB mid-morning in Ft. Clayton to trailer the boats, and transport the paddlers to the ‘Lantic side. Our route was over the new highway to Colon, complete with a checkpoint for documents from the Policia Nacional. Many Cayucos were on the road in transit to the container terminal where the race was to begin.
Arriving at the container terminal, we attempted to find a location which would provide shelter from the sun on a hot, dusty dry season day. For the next 3 days we constantly battled hydration and sun overexposure issues as the race progressed.
Surprisingly, the organization and administration of this year’s race was a bit more organized than last year, and we were actually in the water and the race began ontime.
Our crew still had some reservations about our stability in rough water, and as the afternoon progressed, the brisk sea breeze was picking up. This would give us a direct side chop through the first section of the race.
This course starts in a channel that must hook a turn out into the Atlantic side anchorage within the Colon breakwater. Essentially, the boats proceed North for about ¼ mile, and do a U turn around a pier, dumping the boats into the breakwater for a few miles than joining the Canal as it proceeds to Gatun locks, the first set of locks on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal.
Our boat readied for the start with approximately 50 other crews in the open category. We lined up between two buoys, and the race started on time at 2:40 sharp.
As we did last year, we had a phenomenal start, although somewhat hectic with white wash kicking up in the deep blue Atlantic waters. Our boat started in the first third to the left, and were out in the front pack rounding the pier as we hugged a ship tied fast to the pier.
We continued to gain momentum out into the breakwater as the side rollers began their unfortunate assault on the MOAB, and her formidably sized crew. Although we were making a great pace, and slicing the water in true cayuco fashion, the waves won the day, and we swamped.
Our immediate bailing began, and we were able to get back into the boat, this time at the back of the pack. We instantly realized that we needed to be super cognizant of the wave action on this very sensitive cayuco.
Taking it cautiously, but with strong strokes, our steerage began to veer off, and our helmsman, Richard reported to us that our rudder was broken. He could steer left, but not right. This did not bode well for our progress through this first stretch of the race. However, through sheer will and determination, we finished the first leg toward the back of the pack, as our families cheered us on to the finish at Gatun locks. What an unlucky run, especially with the broken rudder, and realization of our inherent instability. I was able to spend a few moments with Rebecca, the kids, Aunt Janice, and Kathryn and Sophia before we were compelled to load Cayucos onto the trailers, and head to the Melia Hotel.
Rebecca had a wonderful day taking a boat ride from Portabello to a small island for snorkeling. At the time of the race finish, it was clear the family had also experienced a long, sunny day.
The Hotel Melia is a nice hotel in Gatun which was formerly the military academy which Manuel Noreiga attended. We quickly showered, and got to the Gatun yacht club for the spaghetti dinner held by the crews. Scott grew up a short way from Gatun yacht club, and this was a memorable event for him as he reminisced some childhood memories anticipating the destruction of the club for the Canal expansion.
It was to bed early for a 4 am wakeup.

Saturday March 27, 2020
Race Day 2. Moab crew shows up in the predawn hours to assemble at the boat for today’s race, shaking off the misadventure of yesterday.
The rudder was fixed by the boat’s owners on the eve prior as Rebecca had a few words referencing rental protocol in a fashion of efficiency she is world famous for.
There is no denial that today’s race course will once again be unfortunately choppy. Again, we press on in true cayuco determination. The start is held a bit less efficiently than yesterday, and each moment of delay creates more wind and the resulting chop.
Our first section goes from the Gatun Yacht Club to Tiger Island which is the start of the Banana Channel. Our start is again strong, and we make our way in the direction of the Banana channel over the Gatun anchorage across rolling chop.
Again, that rolling chop leads to our demise, and our boat swamps. Once, twice, three times, each time results in a lengthy bailing session which in itself is very fatiguing. All the while, we lose ground to the other paddlers. On our last swamp, the bow is buried so deep that the gunwales cannot be elevated above the water level to bail. Richard suggests we pull the plug on the race, and hails a support boat from the ACP for our assistance.
About this time, it is clear Guille has been injured in the last rollover, and could’ve possibly broken a rib. Aboard the support boat, we decide to get Guille medical attention, and since the usual rescue boat is not available, we ask to be towed to the closest island for bailing out our vessel. Guille is taken by a personal boat to Gamboa to go to seek medical attention.

After we bail out the boat, we realize we will probably be spending a lengthy amount of time on the island waiting to be rescued. However, we make the decision to continue the race.
Unbelievably, with three paddlers, our weight is just right to provide the stability we need to proceed. This is most fortunate since the rest of the race is very choppy resulting from the strong winds of the day. We dig strong, and not counting the 50 minutes of swamping, towing, and rescue, we finally pull into Gamboa with about 3:30 of paddling time, not too shabby for 3 paddlers on this rough day.
All of the kids and cousins are out on the Tin Kitty, and cheer us on for a middle portion of the race. At this point, Rachel is quick to notice that we are second to last, however, we do gain on and pass some other crews. It is mostly crews who have experienced similar problems in the chop.
I am feeling pretty frustrated with this year’s cayuco experience as we arrive in Gamboa a long time after most of today’s boats.
I gladly return to the PVQ with Rebecca for a short nap. ThePVQ owner has arranged a BBQ cookout at 4, and we go to the Shorty and Slim concert at the Balboa yacht Club. A true gathering of Zonians.
It is around this point that I realize that MOAB will not carry the weight of 4 big guys, and opt to sit the rest of the race out. Guille has a bruised rib, but is is luckily not cracked or broken. A true blessing after 2 frustrating days with adverse weather, broken rudder, and an overweight vessel.
Sunday March 28, 2010
I decided last night with Reb’s guidance to not throw in the towel, and meet the crew to go back to Gamboa for day 3 of the race.
Guille has a rib brace, and has decided to try out the first sprint to see if he will be able to transit the portion of the race called the “Cut”.
We paddle Northbound up several buoys for the first leg which is a sprint. We are blessed with flat calm, and our boat is off like a shot, having a great start. However, about halfway through the sprint, it is clear that Guille is having difficulty with breathing due to the rib brace he must wear. He makes a strong finish, but can’t go on.
We realize that we can make the next 1:30-1:40 with three of our crew. We do, and it is STRONG!!!
A 1:25 “Cut”
Lunch after the “goat rope” boat ramp was with Ted, some yummy fried rice.
Transit to the South side of Miraflores locks and wait in the field for a couple hours before the last sprint. We make the sprint and happily go to the Tibblier shed in Diablo for a fun Zonian party. Phew, what a 3 day event.