BCA Warns of Major Action Against Ruta Maya

Momentum is shifting tonight within the canoeing community as the Belize Canoe Association signals a possible showdown with the organizers of the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. In a social media post from BCA Vice President Elvin Penner, paddlers are being urged to turn out this Saturday for the Boom‑to‑City Race, not just to compete, but to show unity as the association considers major actions, including a possible boycott of this year’s Ruta Maya. Penner says paddlers, sponsors, and fans have endured years of “disrespect and unfair treatment” and will meet after the race to decide how to respond to the controversial decisions made by Love FM and the race committee. On the table are serious options: demanding BCA sanctioning of the Ruta Maya, sanctions for paddlers who race without it, refusing media interviews, staging symbolic protests at the finish line, and even breaking away to create a new river race altogether. The Association will also address internal matters, including filling its treasurer post and organizing Belize’s participation in upcoming regional games. For now, the message from the BCA is that they are prepared to act, and Saturday’s race could set the pace for what happens next in one of Belize’s biggest sporting traditions.

 

Belizeans Split Over New Ruta Maya Finish

 

Debate over the new La Ruta Maya finish line has jumped off social media and onto the streets of Belize City. Today, we asked residents how they feel about ending the race at the Grand Resort instead of the Belcan Bridge. Vendors worry they’ll lose one of their biggest earning weekends. Longtime fans say the switch chips away at a tradition they’ve honored for decades. Others welcome the change, arguing it could make the finish safer and fairer for paddlers. One thing is clear; however, Belizeans care and they have plenty to say about how this move affects community spirit and livelihoods. Here’s what we heard.

 

Belize City Resident #1

“People weh really want see the race and done get into it like Cross Country, it turn tradition, people would to go out there, especially the ice man weh shub ih cart and go out there to sell. The small vendors that they call mom and pop. Those are the people that will suffer, because they are looking forward to the day when they can do their special hustle. So, I don’t know what is in it. You have to consult with people that are the organizers.”

 

Belize City Resident # 2

“One of the main problems is that I watch the race for several years and they often have problems coming into the creek because it is narrow. And some of the athletes they are so close to win, that by the time they fall out the boat, it is an advantage. So if they have the finish line where it is clear then everybody have a fair chance of winning the race. I agree with the change.”

 

Belize City Resident #3

“I nuh really watch that like that. So, at the end of the day, if they want to change it then they can change it. I don’t have the power to change that back. So, I just leave everything and I stress pan things weh I can change you know. Anything I cant change I don’t stress on.”

 

Belize City Resident #4

“I don’t think that is something that should have been done, because that is the route of the Mayans. That is the original route. So, they should not change it you know. This only have ten miles. I cant go up there and come back. It might shut down on me and I can’t come back home. So, I might have to watch it on TV now.”

 

Belize City Resident #5

“Basically I think that the people have the say and the contestants that are in the competition. So I think if they don’t feel pleased about what is happening then they should voice their opinion and do something about it. I don’t really guh watch La Ruta Maya, but the city nuh agree with, so more than likely it’s something they are not please by.”

 

Belize City Resident #6

“Why they don’t keep on doing it they way they were doing, because all of us already use to watching it at Civic every year. So why will they change it for, why?”

 

Belize City Resident #7

“Basically they are doing it where they are making money and we poor people nuh wah make none. So they are doing it where they are making money. So it change us from making money and surviving.”

 

As public reaction grows, the finish‑line dispute has become less about location and more about fairness, tradition, and who the change really serves.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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