The Father’s Day Race from Flowers Bank Village to Black Orchid Resort, Burrell Boom, got started a little before 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 16. It got off to a late start due to the heavy downpour of blessings from above! Nonetheless, the rain held up nicely, giving the paddlers time to finish the race. Once again, this year’s race had only six teams participating in five categories; not what we were expecting.

Finishing first was “Guydis Canoes” (Chris Guydis, Brandon Lind and Jermaine Sanchez) with a time of 2:56:37. They out-paddled “Guydis Remedy” (Wilberto Daniels, Kenrick Daniels and Michael Daniels) of the Intramural Category, who settled for second overall with a time of 2:57:43. Both these teams were together until we last saw them at the BWS Water Treatment Facility.

The “Black Orchid Runners,” comprising of Matthew Mask, Jeffery Seguro and Martin Gideon, finished the course in 3:02:42, to take the Juniors Category. A few minutes later was “Turd’z” (Elvis Sutherland, Derocy Haylock and Glenford Sutherland), sponsored by Raymond Woods, second Intramural, finishing in 3:05:06.

The final two canoes to arrive at the finish were “Grumpy Old Men” (Jerry Wilken, Stanley Bailey and Joe Seguro), sponsored by Caribbean Engineering, who finished in 3:17:04 for the first Masters; and the Pleasure Category went to Rudolph Gentle, Pernell Flowers and Timoteo Vanegas of team “Print Belize/Ryan Wrobel,” finishing in 3:22:36.

All first-place teams in their categories received $150.00 cash and a Gold medal for each team member. The second place team received $75.00 cash and a Silver medal for each member. All participants received points towards the end-of-year awards. In addition, the 1st place overall team received a “Dinner for Two” for each member, courtesy of Black Orchid Resort; and the 2nd place overall team received a Zipline and Cave Tubing Adventure Package for four from Chukka Adventure Tours.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Black Orchid Resort; our host, Sea Sure Real Estate; Chukka Adventure Tours, Guydis Canoes, CDS Gas and Mr. Doyle Gillett.