The Race Events
The Ocean to Ocean Race
Welcome to the Ocean-to-Ocean Cayuco Race, a traditional community event that began in 1954 involving participants from the Republic of Panama, as well as participants from the United States. Frank Townsend, of the Panama Canal Company, had the great idea to take a group of explorers from the Boy Scouts of America to meet a native community on the Chagres. The youths learned the culture and traditions of our native Indians, and how to use the cayuco, main method of transportation of this region. In time, the competition among them intensified and they choose to have a formal race. And this was the beginning of a tradition that has lasted for 50 years. Traditionally, the Cayucos are made from rough dug outs of national trees by the Indian natives of Panama. Subsequently they are finished by experts of the sport. This is an art that transcends generations. The race, organized by the volunteer race committee of the Balboa Paddle Club, offers the unique opportunity for these participants to paddle in cayucos from ocean to ocean through the Panama Canal.
This exciting Atlantic to Pacific race tests the endurance and character of the participants. Just completing the 50 grueling miles is truly an accomplishment for these young men and women. The race is also open to those hardy adults willing to participate. Although the competitive spirit is most evident throughout the three day event, the satisfaction of completing the race is equally rewarding and memorable.
The race begins on Friday with Leg One, at the Atlantic entrance of the Canal in Cristobal, ending at Gatun Locks, and is approximately 7 miles. Saturday's Leg Two takes participants across Gatun Lake and ends in Gamboa, and is approximately 21 miles. On Sunday, Leg Three starts in Gamboa and ends at Beacon 93. (This leg replaces the lockages through Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks.) Although the original format of the race has been changed, the overall distance remains the same. Beginning again at Beacon 93, paddlers are taken through Gaillard Cut. At the end of this leg, the cayucos are taken out of the water, and transported by land around the locks. Leg Three continues from Miraflores Locks with paddlers coming down the Pacific channel to the finsih line at Diablo ramp, and is approximately 15 miles.
For our 50th anniversary permission was granted for lockage through Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. The cayuco season runs from November to March or April- depending on the Easter weekend– a period of six months. It begins with a lottery of Club owned cayucos. The winners participate in the season with that cayuco. The season finishes with The Ocean to Ocean Cayuco Race. During the season we have other events which are described in the following section. The Race has two categories: youth for those 14 to 21 years of age and open for those who are22 and older. The youth category has three sub-categories: male, female, and co-ed. The youths compete in teams of four and in the open category compete in teams of four, five, and eight. All the categories and sub-categories compete for the first four places. Participants in the Ocean to Ocean Cayuco Race compete for trophies and in the other events planned compete for medals. Each participant will receive a commemorative Cayuco Race patch. The patch is designed by the previous year's overall winning boat. Usually around 45 cayucos participate, 190 participants, and there are approximately 1,000 spectators.
The Cayuco Race is only possible because of the generous support of the Panama Canal Authority, and many organizations and volunteers. The Panama Canal Authority provides access to the waterway, facilites, equipment and support personnel.
For detailed information regarding the ocean to ocean race, including race maps, typical schedule and practice logistics, please visit our CayucoPedia "Nissan Ocean to Ocean Cayuco Race" article.
Other events during the Cayuco Season:
A. Cayuco Clinic
B. The Amador Causeway Regatta ( CayucoPedia Article)
C. The Atlantic Cup ( CayucoPedia Article)
D. The Gamboa Regatta ( CayucoPedia Article)
E. Chagres Funday
For more information regarding other events during the season, visit our CayucoPedia "Cayuco Season" article.