The Bay of Chetumal will host the Mayas & Piratas Festival, with exhibition and competition of sailboats, paddle-surf, kayaking, windsurfing and canoeing, on June 23 and 24, with the participation of approximately 70 boats.
In a press conference, at the Villanueva hotel, the event organizers reported that the goal is to promote water sports and recreational activities in the Chetumal Bay, as an asset to generates economic revenue for the state capital.
Authorities also want to promote the cultural features of Chetumal, talking about the historical relationship of the 17th Century pirates and the Maya people from southern Quintana Roo, through navigation in the Chetumal Bay.
Alberto Pérez Barrios, local businessman and main promoter of the event, said the project seeks that all tourism service providers join efforts in the areas of Chetumal, Raudales, Calderitas Mahahual, Bacalar, and also create an alliance with business chambers in the state of Quintana Roo.
“There will be various activities, a sailing exhibition race from the Laguna de Bacalar, Laguna Milagros, Estero de Chac, Hondo River and Chetumal Bay, with more than 50 paddle and kayakers, as well as an exhibition of windsurfing, recreation indigenous navigation vessels.
Motor boat rides will be offered to children with disabilities in coordination with the state “Desarrollo Integral de la Familia” DIF (Integral Family Development).
20 sailboats will depart from the Pirates’ Channel and sail 45 kilometers to the Chetumal Bay. (Photo: SIPSE)
Pérez Barrios pointed out that in paddle surfing, there will be 30 participants, who will begin their journey in Huay-Pix, at 7 in the morning, and after an eight-hour route of 27 kilometers, they will arrive to the finish line at approximately 3:00 pm.
20 more participants will be kayaking in the Channel of the Pirates of Bacalar, where they will depart on Saturday at 6 in the morning and after 45 kilometers and eight hours of rowing, they will arrive to the finish line in Chetumal Bay approximately at 2:00 pm.
The promoter of the event, indicated that the exact time of the official inauguration has not yet been defined, but activities will be carried out at the docks of the Yacht Club of Chetumal’s Integral Port Administration (Administración Portuaria Integral: API) which is the official venue of the event.
Source: SIPSE
