Paddling in Panama: What is cayuco?
Cayuco is a 100% Panamanian sport started in the Panama Canal over 60 years ago. It is based off the cayucos used by natives in Panama and over the years has transformed into these sleek modern looking four-man canoes like the ones in the photo above.
Cayuco is the most popular paddling sport in Panama, however other paddling sports like stand up paddling and outrigger canoeing are also growing.
The canoes have to follow certain rules and regulations depending on their category but generally in our category, the canoes cannot weight less than 250 pounds, are usually around 27 ft long and have the shape of the native cayucos. All designs have to be approved by the local paddling club.
During each season there are four classification regattas until the final race through the Panama Canal. The first four races are: Cinta Costera, Causeway, Veracruz, and Gamboa. The final race is three days through the Panama Canal, from the Caribbean to the Pacific.
Every year teams from around the country come together and race against each other in hope to classifying to the final. And every year international teams comes to compete in the final Ocean to Ocean Cayuco Race, some in hopes of winning gold, some just looking for a once in a lifetime experience of paddling from one ocean to another through the world famous Panama Canal.
Check out this video of the beginning of the Ocean to Ocean Cayuco Race in 2017:
Do you paddle? Are you interested in learning more about this sport or paddling in Panama? Let me know in the comments below. Next I will talk about how lucky my team is to paddle in a beautiful place like #BocasdelToro #Panama...
Check out our website for more details about our team and cayuco in general.
Uhm, the entire canal? Isn't that hundreds of miles long or what? That's quite a distance!
It's a 3 day race, the canal is 50 miles but you paddle probably like 36 miles, in three days. The second day is the longest 'the lake' from Gatun locks to Gamboa.
That is so cool. Super fast! Do all your teammates speak English? Are you all from Panama? You said you grew up in Panama, which area?
Our team mates speak English, two of us are from Panama and two are from other countries: the Netherlands and Canada.
I grew up in Panama City and went to school the ex Canal Zone.
That is really cool. Sounds like a good group! I bet it was interesting growing up in Panama City! :) It has probably changed so much over the years. So many huge malls there now!
Awesome post Angie =)
Gracias @evecab :)