Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Peru's Great Amazon River Raft Race 2006 comes to a close

By Niko Kyriakou

Aaand we're off! The race begins

(LIP-nk) - What may be the world's longest river race on primitive rafts drew to a close Sunday night as participants from seven countries reached the muddy end-point in Iquitos, Peru.

With sore and soggy hands, eighty-eight people wearily tugged their vessels -- logs lashed together with jungle twine -- ashore after racing some 133-miles down the Amazon over three days.

16 of the 22 teams competing were Peruvian -- most of whose members grew up on the banks of local rivers. But six of the four-member teams came from countries such as Ireland, South Africa, the U.S., Russia, and Australia.

One might guess only the most die-hard or life-weary foreigners would travel thousands of miles; brave biting bugs, piranhas and anacondas; endure scalding heat and wild storms, all for prizes worth less than the trip's cost.

And yet, it was Dale Baskin, a mild-mannered product manager for a genetics company in Seattle Washington, whose team took first prize among the foreigners. He and his team won 3-nights at a jungle lodge near Iquitos. Second place among the foreign participants was a team of four female veterinarians. Last place was taken by a team led by 74-year-old Mort Kaplan, from Sun City Arizona.

Randy Quinn from Santa Barbara, California said he joined the race primarily "because my friend Mort is crazy."

"I hope to finish and get a t-shirt and have bragging rights for life," he said. But most foreigners said they signed up for adventure. And that they got.

Teams spent up to 10-hours a day paddling balsa-log platforms through the warm, brown river, which sometimes reached a quarter-mile across. But the race was clearly dominated by the Peruvians, all of who came in hours ahead of the foreign teams.

The first and second place winners overall, were both from Padre Cocha, a nearby village. The best cumulative time over the three-day race was 13 hours and 17 minutes - Los Invincables de Padre Cocha, followed by 13 hours, 23 minutes - Los Increibles de Padre Cocha. Third place was over 16 hours.

“The Great Amazon River Raft Race”, now in its seventh year, was organized by Mike Collis, an Englishman living in Iquitos. Sponsors included private donor and english businessman Peter Schneider, as well as Dawn on the Amazon, a cruise boat company, and the Iquitos municipality. Prize money was worth 7,000 soles ($2,248) in all.


See our Travel section for a more in-depth article on the race, and go to our Galleries section for more photos of the event.

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# Joanne says :
26 September, 2006 [ 11:52 ]

My son completed this race. I am amazed and proud!!! Congratulations to all of you.

# Micah Cantley says :
26 September, 2006 [ 12:15 ]

I, too, just returned from the race...who is your son, Joanne?

# William Bassett says :
26 September, 2006 [ 13:12 ]

If I was in better health you couldn`t keep me off
a raft to race. Maybe there should be a handy cap
race for the few of us that reached the age of 70
with a few health problems ,Like cancer and Parkinson to name a few.And maybe a little shorter. I speak only for myself ,so Mike C.Kick it around and see if you could come up with something for us old and decriped Farts,whom still
have light in our eyes and a little spring in our step

# robbie says :
26 September, 2006 [ 14:40 ]

gosh only wish i could have been there.great job .rob

# arnetta harvey says :
26 September, 2006 [ 14:51 ]

my daughter, sheradan and her 3 friends (the international female vet team) are to be congratulated for a job well done to benefit amazoncares.com and the animals in iquitos!
we are all very proud and happy for you all!

# Wolfy says :
26 September, 2006 [ 15:44 ]

Congrats to ALL! Terrific job and applause for crossing your inner limits.

Our correspondent Niko has put up is in-depth article in our "Features" section. Don't miss it, it's a must read.

# Micah Cantley says :
27 September, 2006 [ 07:54 ]

Arnetta, your daughter and her friends were troopers throughout!!! They were awesome...congratulations - you have every right to be proud!!

# Mike Collis says :
27 September, 2006 [ 18:52 ]

They said it could never be done BUT you proved them wrong. You were all incredible. Well done !!

Mad Mick of the Amazon

# Denis Baskin says :
29 September, 2006 [ 20:32 ]

Our son, Dale Baskin, was on the winning foreign team. Sounds like it was a great adventure for everyone. I envy all of you!

# Wolfy says :
29 September, 2006 [ 22:50 ]

Yes Dale, I heard and read about your marvelous effort. well done.

I know my fellow Seattelites are good with water and very outdoorsy. I used to canoe and kayak in the Arboretum sometimes :-)
Wish I could have met you in person. Hopefully next year when you have to defend your title :-)

Saludos
Wolfy

# Mike and Mary, Dunmanway, Co. Cork, Ireland says :
8 October, 2006 [ 13:41 ]

To Aoife and all your crew-members,

We're all very proud of your wonderful achievement and most sincere congratulations to you all. Splendid teamwork - well done !

# Phil Buss says :
28 March, 2007 [ 15:39 ]

congratulations Dale, all those years of mountain climbing, hiking, handbell ringing, and running after Copper, seemed to have payed off. I would love to hear or read about this adventure someday Dale. Wendee and I send you our best.

Phil.