La Ruta Maya River Challenge – An Extreme Bucket List Adventure

Gallery

Posted on March 8, 2012 by lesleycarter

My friends at Pau Hana Surf Supply are in San Ignacio, Belize for the race of their lives, La Ruta Maya River Challenge! La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is a grueling multi-day canoe race traveling a perilous river route across Belize. The route runs West to East along the Macal and Belize Rivers, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, and the bustling port of Belize City. With 170 miles of river racing, it is more than just a race!

The Pau Hana crew, Todd Caranto and Royce Hanamaikai, are already in Belize with trainer, Nick Troutman and racer, Shane Perrin for prerace preparations in San Ignacio. Shane is currently training on a stand-up paddleboard, PauHana Big EZ, in Class 2/3 rapids for the race. He was asked in late January to take on this race so it only gave him five weeks of training. The race is 170 miles spread out over four days. Day one is 50 miles; day two is 60 miles; day three is 35 miles, and day four is 25 miles. While racing, Shane will not have ground support, which means that he’ll be carrying everything he needs for the entire day on the board.

After each day’s mileage is complete, they are going to get the people of Belize out on paddleboards so they can experience it for the first time. Todd, co-owner of Pau Hana Surf Supply, is the mastermind behind the entire trip. He set everything up and contracted a film crew to capture the whole experience in a documentary.

Pau Hana Surf Supply are really breaking new ground with this expedition. In the race’s 15 year history, there have only been three man canoes allowed to enter. Shane is the first stand-up paddle boarder allowed to race.

Stay tuned for the results of Shane’s first race, La Ruta Maya!

Check out the prerace preparation photos in San Ignacio

: A suspension bridge over the Belize river, right at a new standing wave they discovered and rode. They named it Angry Ant. — in San Ignacio, Belize.

: The British team, “The Pink ladies”. They’ll be participating in the La Ruta Maya as recreational paddlers. It’s their first race, and for most, their first time to canoe. — in San Ignacio, Belize.

: “The Pink Ladies” wrapped their canoe on their first run. — in San Ignacio, Belize.

: The Belize river. This is what Shane will be Paddling down. — in San Ignacio, Belize.

: Jessica setting up the long shot. The first team to reach this bridge after the start will win $500. The distance is about 900 feet. It’s got a strong current and a lot of canoes wreck at this point. — in San Ignacio, Belize.

: Nick Troutman ordering at Hanna’s; he doesn’t look worried at all. — in San Ignacio, Belize.

: A fruit stand in the town market. — in San Ignacio, Belize.

: Nick Troutman, left, and Shane Perrin on the right getting mic’d up before the first shoot. — in San Ignacio, Belize.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

47 thoughts on “La Ruta Maya River Challenge – An Extreme Bucket List Adventure”

thesweetkitten on March 8, 2012 at 11:16 am said:

Wow! How exotic and adventurous!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Carlos Vidaurreta on March 8, 2012 at 11:25 am said:

Wow Great! thks.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Anita Mac on March 8, 2012 at 11:40 am said:

Very cool!!! Sounds like an amazing race. Paddle boarding with the locals sounds like fun too!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 8, 2012 at 4:12 pm said:
  
  Pau Hana is certainly making the most of the experience. What a great opportunity for the locals. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
ibdesignsusa on March 8, 2012 at 11:45 am said:

Wow, that is a extreme venture. 170 miles is a lot to cover in just 4 days. I wish them well!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Marc Phillippe Babineau on March 8, 2012 at 12:10 pm said:

What a truly blessed and amazing life you lead, and thanks for letting us all share in it with you, and to live vicariously through you!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Rebecca Booth on March 8, 2012 at 12:17 pm said:

Wow what an adventure! Good luck!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
granbee on March 8, 2012 at 12:20 pm said:

I have completed 3 day white-water canoing trips, but never a 170 mile RACE! Oh, my what an adventure through such beautiful country! Bless you for sharing all these photos! I feel afloat right now!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 8, 2012 at 12:31 pm said:
  
  I will keep the posts coming on this event. Pau Hana Surf Supply is a company with such strong passion and commitment that I can’t help but feel connected to them. Although I can’t be there with them since my next trip will be to the hospital to deliver my baby girl, I will be following them closely on this journey.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Marcia Clarke on March 8, 2012 at 12:57 pm said:

Extreme sports? OMG

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 8, 2012 at 1:19 pm said:
  
  I know, right? I can’t imagine it, but I look forward to hearing all about it from Shane. Pau Hana is making dreams come true! I admire their adventurous spirit and hope to join them on a future journey.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Wanderlustress on March 8, 2012 at 1:18 pm said:

What a GREAT adventure for all of us to follow! Thank you. Btw, I can tell you that motherhood will be your best journey yet! I’m excited to hear the exciting news of the birth of your baby girl!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 8, 2012 at 4:17 pm said:
  
  Thank you! I can’t wait to experience new cultures, countries, and adventures with her, and my husband, at my side.
  
  🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
ivanterzic on March 8, 2012 at 2:25 pm said:

Awesome!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
A. McGrew on March 8, 2012 at 2:50 pm said:

I’ve always wanted to visit Belize.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 8, 2012 at 4:18 pm said:
  
  Me too! Hopefully, that desire will be met soon 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
wordsfromanneli on March 8, 2012 at 3:02 pm said:

Another great trip.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Bold Wandering on March 8, 2012 at 4:06 pm said:

Super fun. I can’t wait to see how it goes!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 8, 2012 at 4:08 pm said:
  
  I’ll post again as soon as I get additional information.
  
  Stay tuned,
  
  Lesley
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
lesleycarter on March 8, 2012 at 4:09 pm said:

Thanks for the reblog support 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Tess Kann on March 8, 2012 at 5:32 pm said:

I’m coming along for the adventure but will be staying dry and warm. Thanks. Sounds awesome.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Amy del Mar on March 8, 2012 at 5:58 pm said:

I’ve been to la Riviera Maya but did not make it as far south as Belize. I will be adding it to my travel bucket list as well. Best of luck with your little one – motherhood is the ultimate adventure!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 9, 2012 at 11:39 am said:
  
  I was in Riviera Maya two years ago and I loved it! Then, we were in Costa Rica and Nicaragua last summer, but we missed Belize. My husband wants to scuba dive there so I’m assuming it will appear on our list within the next couple of years.
  
  I hope you make it there as well.
  
  Lesley
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
newfoundlandtraveller on March 8, 2012 at 7:43 pm said:

How exciting to try this adventure! I admire people who give it their all!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 9, 2012 at 11:40 am said:
  
  Shane is certainly giving his all. I can’t wait to see how he does.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
R on March 8, 2012 at 8:22 pm said:

Man, that place is beautiful. I don’t know that I’d ever get any more done that staring at the scenery with my mouth open (maybe with an anti bug screen in front of it) Good luck!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
kcrownover on March 8, 2012 at 9:19 pm said:

What an adventure! This is so much more exciting than my homework…..Thanks for stopping by my blog.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
mulrickillion on March 8, 2012 at 10:40 pm said:

Great posting. I think I enjoy your blog postings because they afford me a break from my paper shuffling and urban reality: Great stuff!… 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 9, 2012 at 11:41 am said:
  
  I’ll have an update shortly. It’s always time for a little shuffling break 😉
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
mariathermann on March 9, 2012 at 2:53 am said:

I agree with the above comments! Your blog provides me with a perfect excuse to take a 10 minute break, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the wonderful adventures other people have from the comfort of my chair…just picturing the insects on that Belize river adventure gives me an anxiety attack!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 9, 2012 at 11:43 am said:
  
  Although I love traveling and adventure, insects have always been my weak point. I struggle while camping and trekking through the woods.
  
  It’s always worth it though!
  
  🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Michele Kearns on March 9, 2012 at 6:06 am said:

Great post. I look forward to reading more about this adventure. I do enjoy the outdoors but at the end of the day I need all the comforts of home – indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water and my bed.

You and your blog are very inspiring which is why I nominate you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. You can check it out on my site. Here is the short link – http://wp.me/p1hKSW-UL

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 9, 2012 at 11:45 am said:
  
  Thank you! It’s encouraging to be nominated for this award and I appreciate your readership.
  
  Have a great weekend and stay tuned for adventure updates.
  
  🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Dugutigui on March 9, 2012 at 9:35 am said:

That’s a real adventure … I don’t know how you find time to blog and to visit others as mine … you are wonderful 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 9, 2012 at 11:47 am said:
  
  Sometimes it can be a full time job, but the rewards are worth it. I love discovering new blogs and articles/posts/photos that catch my interest.
  
  There’s a world of adventure right before my eyes.
  
  🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Dugutigui on March 9, 2012 at 11:49 am said:
    
    That’s is true: the adventure is always where others can not see it… 🙂 good luck!
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
Inge on March 9, 2012 at 3:16 pm said:

Fantastic!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Makai on March 10, 2012 at 8:20 am said:

How is the female team from Texas doing?

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on March 10, 2012 at 11:49 am said:
  
  I’ll ask today when speaking with my friends 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Marcos Gonzales on March 10, 2012 at 11:47 am said:

This looks like quite an amazing expedition to take. Will have to put this one on my Bucket List.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Stacey Smithson on March 10, 2012 at 4:30 pm said:

good luck, i did the race last year! It was a great achievement having never paddled before and only getting 8 weeks training in. We Team Pic n Mix managed to finsih 3rd in the LAdies catergory too!! Will be at the finish line this year, cheering everyone in – and this time won’t be knaackered!!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Ben Leib on March 12, 2012 at 10:27 pm said:

Go team Pau Hana!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Grimoaldo Cobb on March 14, 2012 at 11:30 am said:

thanks Pau Hana for being part of the BTL cobb’s arm team. hope to see next year for another great adventure.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Truffles Magazine on March 20, 2012 at 8:53 am said:

Wow this pushes extreme to the limit (170 miles in 4 days) I wish them the best of luck. I think this will definitely be an outstanding and memorable adventure! Belize always looks so beautiful and there is such an amazing variety of flora and animals to see I would love to scuba there someday.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Kimmie Thomas on August 31, 2012 at 5:00 am said:

This is great. I have been to Belize twice via a boat cruise and was only able to take a short tour, but I have fallen in love with the place and the people. My goal is to take my children. It was wonderful to see a different side of the country.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
quirkphoto on October 9, 2012 at 4:34 am said:

Pretty cool. I’ve been to Belize, but it was a little calmer than this. It’s a great little destination.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Darryl on July 13, 2013 at 9:56 am said:

#BulaFijiAirways

LikeLike

Reply ↓