The first leg of the 9th annual Lagoon Eco Challenge has concluded with the Tropic Air Team being the last team to paddle into Robbles Point Beach. 19 of the 20 teams completed the full leg of the challenge in day one; the only team that did not complete the challenge was one of the two female teams.
According to Elito Arceo, founding member of the challenge, this year is the first time that almost all the teams completed the challenge. “Actually this is the best year for us. Almost all the teams completed day one of the challenge. I am so proud of the participants,” remarked Arceo as he navigated the channels leading to the Laguna de Cantena.
Sparta Boys was the first team to arrive at the camping grounds shortly after 2PM; having completed the first leg of the challenge in 6 hours and 10 minutes. The team left at about 7:20 AM from in front of Central Park in San Pedro Town. The last team made it in 10 hours 18 minutes and 50 seconds. Results are as follows:
Day one Results
Double Male Category
1st – Sparta Boys – Jesus Linarez and Sergio Lopez
2nd – Happy Cow – Alfred Lopez and Byron Cruz
3rd – Las Tortugas – Edwin Casasola and Cesar Salazar
4th – Indecency Boys – Jose Villamil and Jesse Smith
5th – Team Two G – Chalres Garay and Arden Garay
6th – Belize Coast Guard Wave Runner – James Alford and Janaton Alford
7th Watch Dog- Jimmy Polonio and Tony Salvador
8th Licks Beachside Cafe – Irvin Chacon and Mario Chimal
9th Casa Piscasso – Alejandro Coba
Junior Double Male Category
1st – Duydis Remedy – Wilbert Daniels and Alfonso Lind
2nd – Super Buy Boys – Brian Bradley and Rony Bradley
3rd – Blue Water Grill Boys – Alex Pineda and Bayron Lara
4th – Watta Dogs – Armin Lopez Jr. and Alexander Cruz
5th – The Marine Boys – Daniel and Isaul Coba
6th – Dos Chingonez – Kenrick Duncan and Ezekiel Hernandez
Female Double
1st – Come and Get Me – Joanna Lopez and Linnet Lopez
2nd – The Stars – Kiara Gomez and Sarah Alper
Peacemaker Toucan Too (Incomplete) – Ruth Cruz and Audrey Moody
The kayakers made their way through several channels on the leeward side of Ambergris Caye after making their way through the San Pedro Lagoon. By midday, the first team was inside the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, heading along the Belize-Mexico Border.
The kayakers have shown much determination and good endurance in the first leg of the challenge. While their energy is down from the day long challenge, their optimism is high and they remain in camp, resting for the second leg of the competition. The kayakers are expected to start shortly after 9AM on Sunday July 7th from Robbles Point. The event will end at the San Pedro Central Park with official ceremony.
