Rift Widens Inside Canoe Association Ahead of La Ruta Maya

Tonight, tensions inside the Belize Canoe Association are spilling into the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. What started as a dispute over the race’s new finish line has grown into a public split among the sport’s top leaders. Paddlers say they’re committed to racing this weekend, but some are pushing for a boycott of the finish line and even the event’s media coverage. Now, the association’s executive is openly divided just days before the start.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting

The controversy paddling alongside the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge this weekend is not limited to just paddlers versus organizers. The dispute over the race’s new finish line and the role of organizers has exposed a growing rift within the Belize Canoe Association. Paddlers say they are committed to competing in the race, but some are pushing for a boycott of the finish line and coverage of the event. This puts members of the association’s executive at odds with each other as race day approaches.

 

Jesus Linares, President, Belize Canoe Association

“We can’t change it for this year because the race da Friday. So whosoever still we not the boycott the race. So whosoever still go, they go have to respect them and respect the race.”

 

Inside the Belize Canoe Association, frustrations have now split members over how paddlers should respond. President Jesus Linares says that despite the controversy, athletes should still honor the race and follow its rules this year.

 

Jesus Linares

“End of the day you have to work with them because you the race out there. So I believe we could either make wa change of course together, but it no wa be this year, right? That my point.”

 

But Vice President Elvin Penner is among the most vocal critics of race organizers, accusing them of years of mistreatment toward paddlers. Penner says he’ll protest by refusing to give interviews to the event’s broadcast partner.

 

Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoe Association

“ I will stand up. I am putting it on record that Elvin Penner, past disgraced Minister, if you want to say it. Elvin Penner, the past president of the association, vice President of the association and activist from birth always stand up for right. I am not granting Love FM one single interview, not one single view interview: not as the vice president, not as Elvin Penner, not as Coop Sheet Metal’s leader or team manager. I am not giving them any interview. Can anybody else say the same? Yeah. Hands up. Is anybody else willing to not interview with them?”

 

Tensions rose further when talk shifted to paddlers possibly pushing past the new finish line and heading toward the BelCan Bridge in protest. Linares says that it could pose serious risks, especially after four exhausting days on the river.

 

Jesus Linares

“So the moment you decide you cross the finish line and you turn back to come this way, if that da mi wa plan, it be on you. Because nobody wah de out there the look out for you. So that you de pan yo own basically. So they, I believe I had a meeting with them on regarding the safety, right, with Ms. Bowen as well, the sponsor of this race. So she was concerned about the safety. If we the say, oh, ih noh safe fu finish the race day, how we wa turn back and do that? That da basically pan wi own right?”

 

Penner says paddlers see the warnings as intimidation, not genuine safety concerns.

 

Elvin Penner

“I am happy that you went to that meeting. I would’ve suggested for you not to go because precisely that meeting was to have us again come to them and obviously did a pretty good job at making you aware that if you the drown, if you decide fu turnaround, we wa make you drown. We wa make you drown. That’s the message I’m getting from Love FM through Chulio. That’s the message they sent through our president to us is you protest and you the drown we wa watch you drown. What does that say again from the Love FM committee? Exactly what we’re fighting here today.”

 

Still, Linares is urging members not to turn around near the Haulover finish line.

 

Jesus Linares

“Think, remember we wa the race out de four days, so I believe most we wa fatigue and the energy wa de down same way. So that da weh I mi want say. Unu safety come first. So everybody out there regarding for Friday, go out there and race and do your best. We already decided we’re not boycotting the race.”

 

As paddlers head downriver this weekend, tensions inside the canoe association could run just as strong as the current. Where the participants decide to finish may determine the future of the race and association’s leadership. Another reason why this year’s La Ruta Maya is really more than just a race. Shane Williams for News Five.

 

 

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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