Results from 2011:

3rd Bahia Rica annual amateur sea kayak competition

Photo album from the competition

Like the tradition from the previous years, the weekend of the Bahia Rica kayak competition, the sun was shining and it felt like summertime. The route of the individual race was like last year around Isla Jesusita and Isla Cedros (10 km). New this year was that all competitors had to use the kayaks from Bahia Rica unless their personal kayak was similar. This change in rule was made in order to keep the race more fair.

We had 6 competitors in the male category, and are pleased to announce that we had a new record of 4 in the women category.

The previous years the start and finish line was on the beach, this year the competitors had to line up between two buoys in the water.

This year we had to have individual heats for men and women which is great. The women were first out and in the first ¼ of the race saw newcomer Jennifer Buell Horschman (Atenas) take the early lead. Three time competitor and winner of last year’s event, Karla Madriz Davila (Cartago), was not far behind. Rakel Moya Sanchez (Santa Ana) and Sandra Jimenéz Mata (Cartago) formed a pair some meters behind the other two. The conditions were good and the current not too strong as Jennifer took a comfortable victory over Carla. Sandra had caught up with Rakel as the crossed the channel between the islands. There was some confusion as to where to continue and after a little guidance Rakel managed to squeeze herself in front of Sandra.

As the start signal of the male competition sounded, six anxious kayakers set off in a vicious tempo. Pablo Hein from Uruguay took an early lead but was closely followed by Mario Pérez (Paquera), Neil Kahn (Jacó) and Alvaro Gonzalez (San Jose). The Machado brothers fell quickly behind but kept contact with each other. As the race wore on it was clear that Pablo and Mario would race for the title while Neil looked like a good number three. A few hundred meters from the finish Pablo had a lead on Mario when he hit a strong counter current and Mario pulled even. Then Mario hit his own counter currenet and Pablo got the few extra meters he need to take the crown. The Machado brothers came in next to each other when Roberto went too close to shore and hit an underwater rock giving Fernando the victory between the brothers. It was an excellent race as only eight minutes seperated first and last place!

Results:

Women
1. Jennifer Buell Horschman (Atenas) 1:20:23
2. Karla Madriz Davila (Cartago) 1:26:55
3. Rakel Moya Sanchez (Santa Ana) 1:48:51
4. Sandra Jimenéz Mata (Cartago) 1:49:00

Men
1. Pablo Hein (Santa Teresa) 1:07:18
2. Mario Pérez (Paquera) 1:07:44
3. Neil Kahn (Jacó) 1:09:33
4. Alvaro (Toca) Gonzalez (San Jose) 1:13:31
5. Fernando Machado Jimenéz (Cartago) 1:14:12
6. Roberto Machado Jimenéz (Cartago) 1:15:04

The winners could walk away with a trip to Tortuga Island from Calypso Cruises. Additionally we raffled off a kayak tour with Bahia Rica, 1 free night at Cabinas Manito, 1 free night at Cabinas Mapis, 1 free night at Hotel Vista las Islas and 50% discount on a meal at El Shrimp Shack.

This year we hired a German chef named Elke Ballarin to make food. She dished up breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as having sandwiches and sweets available for participants and onlooker alike. The highlight of the evening was the buffet with grilled meats on the menu.  It was a success and there are good chances she will be at next year’s event as well.

Visit the Facebook site for the competition.

Results from 2010:
2nd Bahia Rica annual amateur sea kayak competition

  

The Saturday competition was almost a repeat of last years, weather wise. Blue skies, sun and the highest tide of the year graced the competition. The original setup of 12 competitors was unfortunately reduced to 8 due to illness and transport issues, but the race proved to be very exciting anyways. Also new this year was the route, which had an added 1,5 km as the competitors had to round both of the islands Cedros and Jesusita.

As the race started, Fernando Machado (Cartago) suddenly flipped over making his chances to win harder. There was a lead trio consisting of Mario Pérez (Paquera), Leonardo Jiménez (Jacó) and Neil Kahn (Jacó). About 1/3 of the way into the race Neil and Leonardo started pulling away from Mario and about ½ ways, Neil started pulling away from Leonardo. He held the lead all the way in and won in front of Leonardo. Mario came in third. As the only female competitor this year, Karla Madriz Davila (Cartago) took an obvious victory in the women’s class.

Last year we had competitors from Cartago who also joined us again this year as well the group of 3 from Jacó. Also Pablo Hein from Uruguay, but living in Santa Teresa and Jacob Westman, made this event a success. Next year we will aim to have several heats as the goal is to have 16 competitors.

Results:

Men
1. Neil Kahn (Jacó) 1:02:11
2. Leonardo Jiménez (Jacó) 1:04:13
3. Mario Pérez (Paquera) 1:06:00
4. Pablo Hein (Santa Teresa) 1:09:15
5. Jacob Westman (Jacó) 1:12:57
6. Roberto Machado (Cartago) 1:14:24
7. Fernando Machado (Cartago) 1:20:42

Women
1. Karla Madriz Davila (Cartago) 1:42:45

The winners could walk away with a trip to Tortuga Island from Calypso Cruises. Additionally we raffled off a sport fishing tour, a kayak tour with Kayak Jacó and two sets of 2 free nights at Bahia Rica.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report from 2009:
1st annual amateur sea kayak competition

The current and strong sun made for a challenging kayak race for the amateur competitors.

Sea kayaking is not very common in Costa Rica although the climate and water around here is perfect for the activity. The organizers hope this annual event will contribute to create more awareness and interest in sea kayaking. In addition it will be a boost for the Paquera area. This part of Costa Rica is especially well suited for sea kayaking. The gulf is scattered with various island, and provides great scenery and strong currents.

At 10:00 am on Saturday the 19th of September, 7 men and 3 women stood at the starting line at Playa Nicoyana awaiting the starting whistle. The calm water and sunny weather had all the competitors geared up for an exciting race. The current was strong and proved to be a vital factor in determining the winners. The route around Isla Cedros of approximately 8,5 km took the winner of the men’s class 1:05:17 while the winner of the women’s used 1:16:16.

Results:
Men
1. Place: Mario Perez Chavarria (Paquera) 1:05:17
2. Place: Marcos Arraya Castillo (Rio Grande) 1:07:47
3. Place: Tim Ryan (UK) 1:09:19
4. Place: Mario Gomez Jimenez (Cartago) 1:18:20
5. Place: Augustin Lostalo (Puntarenas) 1:25:03
6. Place: Fernando Machado Jimenez (Cartago) 1:28:13
7. Place: Marvin Muños (Heredia) 1:30:18

Women
1. Place: Ruth Mora (San José) 1:16:16
2. Place: Karla Madriz Davila (Cartago) 1:25:06
3. Place: Laura Bender (Chicago, USA) 1:32:56

The lucky winners each won a cruise to Isla Tortuga sponsored by Calypso Cruises on the famous catamaran Manta Raya.
The lucky winners each won a cruise to Isla Tortuga sponsored by Calypso Cruises on the famous Manta Raya.

The event on Sunday featured five 2 person teams on a relay around Isla Jesusita which is approximately 3,5 km. The incredibly nice weather held up and the Team Unknown with Tim Ryan (UK) and Jesus Gabriel Loria Leal (Isla Cedros), paddled themselves to victory ahead of the Godzilla Team of Ruth Mora (Heredia) and Ana Cristina Mora (Heredia) in 51minutes and 40 seconds.

Results:
1. Place: Team Unknown -Tim Ryan (UK) / Jesus Gabriel Loria Leal (Isla Cedros) 51:40
2. Place: Team Godzilla -Ruth Mora (San José) / Ana Cristina Mora (San José) 1:00:42
3. Place: Team The Go Go Girls – Laura Bender (USA) / Maria José Mora (San José) 1:04:18
4. Place: Team Schöne Bucht – Sophie Kayzer (Germany) / Roberto Machado Jimenez (Cartago) 1:08:38
5. Place: Team Cartago – Fernando Machado Jimenez (Cartago)/ Sandra Jimenez (Cartago) 1:25%sA50

First and second place won a guided kayak tour with Bahia Rica Adventures for two persons.

The organizers, Bahía Rica and triathlete Roberto Machado, are happy with the competition and hopes this turns out to be an annual kayak fest in the Paquera area. With participants from four different countries, Germany, UK, USA and Costa Rica the outlook is good. They are starting preparations already now for next years event.