The 8th Annual Lagoon Reef Eco-Challenge Kayak Race

8th Annual Lagoon Reef Eco-Challenge

This past Saturday and Sunday was the 8th annual Lagoon Reef Eco-Challenge kayak Race.  It is a two day event with over $15,000 in prizes to be given away.  The Eco-Challenge was started because Elito Arceo who owns a tour business, is an environmentalist, a community activist for San Pedro Town and was concerned about the developments that began threatening the areas of the lagoons.  He wanted to bring attention to the beautiful lagoon areas that he loved as a child and to get others to appreciate the beauty and the importance of these areas in Belize.

Looking for some of the first kayakers to come through the finish line.

Finish Line.

The race began Saturday morning with 27 two man kayak teams on the lagoon side of Ambergris Caye.  There were no female competitors this year.  Maybe next year I will need to form a kayak team and try out kayaking or maybe not.  It must have been some tough paddling because by the 2nd day only 16 teams were still in the race.

The crowds were starting to build.

Saturday the kayakers paddled 29 miles and then camped at the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve.  Sunday morning the kayakers left the camp ground and paddled approximately 13 miles along the Eastern shores of Ambergris Caye with the finish at Central Park on the beach.

Here they come, they look happy.

Here comes one of the winners.

Future kayaker.

The winners of the race were racing team "2 Horse Power Yamaha", Douglas Penland/Fernado Giacoman with a finish time of 9:53:57.

Time Board

The race was over and it was time to party.  Food, drinks, loud music and street vendors were everywhere. 

Serving up some cold ones after the race.

Got Belikin??

They were hungry.

Lots of people came out for this big event.

The eating is about to begin.

Food menu in Belize dollars.

Kids got to pay on the trampoline in Central Park.

Street vendors with toys to entice the little ones.

Street vendors with jewelry to entice the big ones.