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 the first stretch, at the Atlantic entrance of the Canal in Cristobal, ending at Gatun Locks, and is approximately 7 miles. Saturday’s second stretch takes participants across Gatun Lake and ends in Gamboa, and is approximately 21 miles.

On Sunday, race starts in Gamboa at Beacon 93 and ends at the Pedro Miguel Boat Landing. At the end of this leg, the Cayucos wait for permission to enter the Pedro Miguel locks where they are locked down to the level of the Miraflores Lake. Once the miter gates open, the fourth leg of the race starts to end at the entrance of the Miraflores Locks. Once again, after been granted permission to enter the locks, the fleet is locked down to the level of the Pacific Ocean. The fifth stretch then continues from the Miraflores Locks with paddlers coming down the Pacific channel to the finish line at the Diablo Public Ramp. This stretch is approximately 15 miles.

Ocean to Ocean Race: the 5 Stretches (Courtesy of Bill Fall)

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 are 22 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, or even eight members. In the Ocean to Ocean 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.
 

Other events during the Cayuco Season

1. The Amador Causeway Regatta
2. Veracruz Cup
3. The Atlantic Cup
4. The Gamboa Regatta
5. Chagres Funday