Family of Paddlers Ready to Take on La Ruta Maya

The Cruz family is heading into La Ruta Maya 2026 as a mixed team. This family of competitors is combining decades of experience. Father-son duo Daniel Cruz Sr. and Jr., along with sister Fransisca, will compete in the mixed team category, supported by The Nature Conservancy and the San Ignacio Hotel.

This team combination demands stamina, strategy, and teamwork just as much as a three-male team.

“Being a female, you gain a lot of experience with the other male paddlers. I’ve learned a lot,” Fransisca said.

Meanwhile, Daniel Cruz Jr. admitted sponsorship challenges affect any team’s training, including theirs.

This family of paddlers is choosing to press on despite the growing tension surrounding the race over the past few weeks.

Several paddlers have expressed frustration over last-minute changes to the race’s finish line. Belize Canoe Association Vice-President Elvin Penner previously called the changes “disrespectful” to teams and sponsors alike.

Safety concerns have also emerged after the finish line shift. MIDH engineers redirected funds from Haulover Creek maintenance to other river projects, leaving paddlers uncertain about bank conditions near the new route.

Despite the turmoil, the Cruz family remains focused on the river and the competition ahead, saying that some decisions are sometimes influenced by the sponsors of the event.

Don’t miss the full details on this story tonight at 6 o’clock on News 5 Live.