Ok, here's the epic story, the winds were up 15- 20 knots, big seas, lots of rain and really poor visability. We left PG early Saturday morning, and it was a slamming trip. I think about 5 or 6 teams decided right then to pull out of the race, were they scared or just smarter than we were? There was a small craft warning and basically we were nuts to be out there. When we got to Puerto Barrios we discovered our kayak had suffered some transport injuries, a hole... that we couldn't fix sake of the rain an all. Anyways we started at 9:30 am, out into the cold dreariness, don't you feel the pity?
We had a great start and led the race for an hour and then the Punta Gorda teams showed their experience and passed us. We got to Livingston and were really thrown around by the Rio Dulce coming out to meet the waves coming in. It was the most frightened I'd ever been on the water, for true. Then a "escort boat " came along and sent us in the wrong direction, then another boat came and corrected our course, we could not see land so we trusted the escort boats to lead us, we bailed and paddled and bailed and paddled til finally we realized our escort boat driver was drunk, and was lost!!!
woe is us, Eventually, the race organiser, chastised our guys and got us corrected again, Finally we could see the mountains of PG, but we were 6 miles out to sea! UGH. We spent another 2 hours getting in, Still, astonishly enough holding third place! Boy was I relieved to get to the finish line I nearly cried, but had to tell myself " Don't be such a girl". Instead we curled into shore and recieved the congratulations from the sports fans. It was indeed a proud moment. Out of 17 or so registered teams only 11 started and only six finished. We hope we did Cay Caulker proud. We thank everyone who supported us financially and emotionally. We'll try again next year. Next race- Ambergris Green Reef Challenge. See ya on de watah! Paddle for fun- Race to win!