By Sherry Boyd

On Friday, April 14^th we drove from Panama City on the Pacific Ocean to Colon on the Atlantic Ocean to witness the start of the 47^th annual Ocean-to-Ocean Cayuco Race.  This 50-mile race was the culmination of 2-1/2 months of practice.  The race is comprised of five stretches over three days.  The first day’s race is from the Colon on the Atlantic to the Gatun locks.  The 21-mile “lake run” (from Gatun locks to Gamboa) on the second day is the most grueling.  There are three shorter stretches on the third day from Gamboa to Balboa on the Pacific. 

Excitement filled the air as hundreds of spectators listened for the mid-afternoon gunshot start.  Moments later 40 cayucos passed us.  But as Jennifer’s cayuco, Jungle Crews made their first turn, another boat rammed them, causing them to swamp and lose valuable minutes.  Jungle Crews arrived to the finish line about an hour later in third place in the all-girls category, over three minutes behind the first boat.  They were disappointed but determined to make up the difference on the second day on the “lake run.”

The boat launch was packed early Saturday morning, each cayuco waiting for its name to be called.  When Jungle Crews came over the megaphone the girls carried their boat to the water and huddled to pray for God’s help and protection.  It was a hot day with little breeze.  We drove to Gamboa and waited for the boats.  Jungle Crews was the first girl’s boat to arrive!  Moments after they crossed the finish line the official scorer announced that they had set a new record at 3 hours, 16 minutes and 27 seconds, beating the old record by 30 seconds set in 1995.  

Even though they had a bad start the first day, they were persistent and now just three minutes behind.  It was hard to tell who was proudest… the girls or their parents!  The heat and exertion had taken their toll.  The risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration is high.  One of the girls was taken to the emergency room that afternoon.

Day 3 started a short sprint.  The girls finished second.  The second stretch was the longer but unpracticed “cut” stretch.  The boats are not allowed to practice this narrow stretch of canal through the Gallaird Cut due to safety concerns.  Once again the girls came in second.  A lunch break followed.  The girl who had been taken to the hospital became ill and could not finish the race.  The three remaining girls took third on the final stretch.  

The results were final.  Jennifer and Jungle Crews came in second place!  At the awards dinner later that evening, four proud girls went up on stage to receive their trophies.  Jennifer’s is proudly on display in our entry area of the house—a symbol of hard work and endurance.