The title of Lagoon Reef Eco Challenge 2011 winner went to two Port of Honduras rangers from the Toledo District who today share the $3,000 cash prize and the bragging rights of besting 32 other teams in the gruesome two-day kayak race.
Team Sea Front Inn Jaguars, sponsored by Larry Smith, dominated the race from day one and it was clear that they were in the race to win it. Carlos Ramirez and Godfrey Alford took the lead in day one of the race when the kayaks took off from the starting line lagoon side on Saturday, May 14, 2011.
Once again, a large crowd gathered at the lagoon side to cheer for all the paddlers who took part in the grueling two-day challenge of kayaking around the northern part of the island and back to town the following day. This year the race was marked by very young competitors, no female teams and two single paddlers; the race consisted of senior and junior amateur competitors.
Team Sea Front Inn Jaguars was the first team to arrive at the midpoint station in Robles Point shortly after midday, awarding them the station prize of $400. All the teams camped out overnight at this pit stop to rejuvenate their energies as they kicked off early next morning heading towards the finish line at Central Park.
Hundreds of island residents were at the Central Park waiting for the paddlers to come in and cheered them on. Great music was provided by DJ Habo and there were lots to eat and drink, even some free Lion Fish provided by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The seventh annual kayak race also kick-started Reef Week which included another Lion Fish tournament.
With much exhaustion all the teams made it to the finish line; but there were some drop outs. Congratulations to all teams who participated.
Here are the results for this year’s Lagoon Reef Eco Challenge:
Senior Division:
1st Place – # 3 (Sea Front Inn Jaguars, Toledo – Carlos Ramirez & Godfrey Alford)
2nd Place – # 2 (Tortugas de Coco Beach – Jorge Magaña & Edwin Casasola)
3rd Place – # 17 (A Toda Madre – Jose Villamil & Victor Hernandez)
4th Place – # 1 (Get Out a di Way, Belizean Shores – Douglas Penland & Jimmy Polonio)
5th Place – # 13 (Sea Fighters, Cococabana Pool Bar – Freddy Blandon & Fernando Giacoman)
6th Place – # 27 (Whale Sharks, Sarteneja Village – Guadalupe Verde & San Verde)
7th Place – # 21 (Milo’s Pool Boys, Milo Paz – Jason Chee & Roy Bradley)
8th Place – # 32 (Non Stop, Suya Tours – Nelson Betancourt)
9th Place – #10 (Tuff E Nuff, Kimara Black – Rico Black & Stanley Galvez)
10th Place – #20 (Mango’s Boyz, Mango’s – Jose Kimal & Brian Bradley)
Junior Division:
1st Place – # 8 (Gonzalez Finishers, Regina Gonzalez – Jesse Guerrero & Mario Chimal)
2nd Place – #5 (El Pescador – Jonathan & Joshua Esquivel)
3rd Place – # 11 (Serious Boyz, Chris Berlin – Irvin Chacon & Shadany Bradley)
4th Place – # 14 (Super Mario & Luigi, SPHS – John Valladarez & Michael Franco)
5th Place – #22 (Team Chingon, Kelly’s – Enrique Marin & Daniel Gregorio)
6th Place – #24 (Con Gannas, Seaduced by Belize – Dylan Arceo & Dennis Richie)
7th Place – #7 (Blue Machine, Milo’s – Manuel Sanchez & Nair Novelo)
8th Place – #26 (Young Youths, Aris Guardado – Wordmon Bodden & Arri Guardado)
9th Place – #25 (We di Come, L.A.G. – Jordy Craft & Samuel Figeroa)
10th Place – # 30 (Galen Enviro Boys, Cayo DOE – Alfonso Wiltshire & Roani Chan)
Awards:
Dog Tired Award – #23 (Don’t Smile – Dion Samuels & Thomas Baptist)
Most Grumpy Award – Team # 5 El Pescador (Jonathan & Joshua Esquivel)
Most Creative – Team # 11 Serious Boyz (Irvin Chacon & Shadany Bradley)
Most Enthusiastic – Team #6 T-Rex, Tyronnasaurus Rex (Tyrone Miles)
Team that got smoked – Team #19 Gulf X-Ray, Tropic Air (Pierre Duncan & Ezekiel Myvette)
Sportsmanship Award – Team #18 Hotel Kilo, Tropic Air (Kenrick Duncan & Leon Lord)
Most Eco Friendly – Team #11 Serious Boyz (Irvin Chacon & Shadany Bradley)
