By Belize Live News Staff: Vice President of the Belize Canoe Association, Elvin Penner, says recent changes to the Ruta Maya route could have lasting negative impacts on the race and the paddling community.
Penner stated that paddlers and sponsors are feeling hurt and betrayed by decisions surrounding the route, particularly discussions about moving the finish line.
According to Penner, informal feedback and social media reactions suggest strong opposition among paddlers. He questioned how significant changes could be made with what he described as minimal approval from participants.
Penner warned that if the race continues on its current trajectory, it risks alienating the very paddlers and supporters who have sustained it for decades.
The debate continues as participants call for reconsideration of the route and a renewed focus on the race’s cultural and environmental roots.
