Is a La Ruta Maya Boycott Coming?

The Boom to the City Canoe Race Powered by Guinness on Saturday is shaping up to be more than just a warm-up event. According to Belize Canoe Association Vice President Elvin Penner, the race could signal what lies ahead for this year’s La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, including the possibility of a paddler boycott.

Beyond the paddling, Penner is urging supporters to show up in solidarity as tensions continue between the Belize Canoe Association and Love FM, the organiser of La Ruta Maya.

“We ask that all paddlers, sponsors and fans come out on Saturday, to show your solidarity, and stand united as we fight against years of disrespect, disregard, abuse, mistreatment and unfair treatment…,” Penner wrote in a social media post. 

Following the race, the Belize Canoe Association plans to hold a meeting to address internal matters and decide on next steps regarding the upcoming Ruta Maya, which has changed its finish line for the first time. 

One of the major discussion points will be whether the association should require that La Ruta Maya be sanctioned by the Belize Canoe Association.

“If we do this and they refuse our suggestion to sanction the race, we would then be able to sanction every paddler that decides to participate in an unsanctioned race,” Penner wrote, adding that this “would then prevent them from being able to paddle in any Belize Canoe Association sanctioned races and it would also disqualify these paddlers to represent Belize in any international races.”

Penner said discussions have already begun about creating an alternative event. “Discussions and preparations have already begun to undermine the present race and create an even better race, but done the right way from day one,” he wrote.

The association is also considering asking Bowen and Bowen to back the paddlers’ actions. If not, a Belikin boycott is on the table. 

Among the protest options to be discussed are a full boycott of the race, a media blackout of Love FM, and symbolic actions at the finish line.