Introducing Cayuco Torque! The Bocas del Toro Water Sport Scene Continues to Evolve

Introducing Cayuco Torque! The Bocas del Toro Water Sport Scene Continues to Evolve

Bocas del Toro’s original Cayuco team will forever be Cayuco Paunch. Founded in 2016, the ladies of Paunch are two time winners of the Club de Remos Balboa (CREBA) Ocean 2 Ocean Race; a three day trek across the Panama Canal. Being the team furthest from the competition locations, always overcoming logistical, equipment and personnel challenges, they still managed to place first 2017 and again in last year’s 2023 season.

On Wednesday, February 1st, Angie Whittemore, founding member of Cayuco Paunch and the creator of  Caribbean Paddlers, made this special announcement on Facebook regarding Bocas del Toro’s participation in the 2024 national cayuco race circuit.

“This Saturday, February 3, we are thrilled to announce that our team, Cayuco Torque, will be competing in the ‘Copa Veracruz’ race at Playa Veracruz, hosted by the Club de Remos de Balboa. Formerly known as Cayuco Paunch, this year we’re making waves with our new cayuco, Torque, the same one we powered in the Ocean to Ocean race last season.

But that’s not all! We’re also shaking things up in the category department. After years of competing in the Open Female category, we’re diving into the Open Mixed category this year, ready to take on the challenge.

Our dedicated team consists of Angie Whittemore, Karolina Tunstig, Jorge Alejandro St Omer, and Luis Enrique Castillo. If you’ve ever caught sight of us on the water in the early hours, paddling around the Bocas islands, or spotted us running around Isla Colón or at the gym training, then you already know the passion and commitment we bring to our sport.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, Divers Paradise and Bocas Dive Center, for their support not only for our team but also for the paddling community in Bocas del Toro. Their continued dedication ensures that paddling sports, whether cayuco or outrigger paddling, remain vibrant and strong in our beloved Bocas. We are incredibly grateful for their support.

If you happen to be in Panama City this Saturday, don’t miss the chance to come out and support the only team representing Bocas, proudly waving our Bocas flags! We also want to express our thanks to everyone else in the community who has supported us throughout this season and over the years. Thank you all for your incredible support!”

Best of luck to the new Cayuco Torque team! The Bocas del Toro community is rooting for you and we will be waiting anxiously for the news about the debut performance of Cayuco Torque in the Open Mixed category.

After Veracruz is the Regata Aceleracion on the Rio Chagres February 24, 2024 and then the final showdown, the Regata Ocean 2 Ocean on March 22, 23 and 24, 2024. For more information on this uniquely Panamanian pasttime, check out the official website of the Club de Remos de Balboa (CREBA). 

The Bocas Breeze encourages our readers to support the gracious sponsors of this athletic endeavor by enjoying a nice meal at Restaurant Pier 19 at the Divers Paradise Hotel and diving with Bocas Dive Center (all pictured below). Their commitment to the sport is truly admirable.