THE RACE began with a swift surge forward. Hands pulled powerfully on paddles as the sleek, low canoes shot towards the finish line. The crowd pushed forward in anticipation of a keenly contested race. Paddles dug deep; paddlers bent their backs, and the crowd roared as three of the six light crafts went bow-to-bow with just 20 meters to go. Then the winner went into top gear. With purpose and skill, she forged ahead to win by half-a-boat. The crowd went wild.
This was just one of the many entertaining and competitive activities that took place at the Guyana Canoeing Federation (GCF)’s boating and swimming fiesta held at Lake Mainstay on the Essequibo Coast a few Sundays ago.
Founded in 2006, the GCF, which is affiliated to the International Canoeing Federation (ICF) felt that canoeing was an applicable sport for Guyanese, given the country’s notoriety far and wide as the ‘Land of Many Waters’.
Realizing however that most of the more successful sporting activities in Guyana were based in Georgetown, they decided to establish theirs in the hinterland. In doing so, they hoped not only to develop the sport, but to allow the communities in the area also to reap whatever benefits may come from this development.
Of course, making their dream a reality turned out to be a great challenge logistically, due to the enormous distance between communities. Progress was slow, but soon, things began to fall into place, and among their first activities was the ‘Open-Water Fiesta’ which was held in collaboration with the ICF.
Participants for the event were drawn from clubs in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni),  Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands).  
Teams represented areas such as Wakapow, St. Monica, Kabakaburi, Lake Mainstay, Linden and Demerara. Of particular interest and pride was the launching of locally-made flat boats built by artisans in the Pomeroon River area.
One remarkable and exciting feature of the day of activities was their ‘no gender separation’ ruling. Women raced against men, and the girls out-performed the boys in several races. Canoeing experts all agreed that ‘flat-water racing’ was the surest and swiftest way for Guyanese to gain recognition in the sport at the international level. Both swimming and canoeing caught on quickly among hinterland communities, because either activity comes  naturally to them and is part of their daily routine.
According to GCF President, Mr. Ananta Aloa, the fiesta was a great foundation on which to launch a bigger and better event. “We plan to make this an annual event to be held during Amerindian Heritage Month. We know that this sport will enhance the self-worth of participants; we are working towards making canoeing part of school-sports. We realize that some caution about water sports and children, but with the correct safeguards, it should be a success.”
Among other GCF officials are: Maurice Amres, secretary; Wilfred Jagnarine, treasurer; and Onicka Harrison, PRO.