Living in Peru : your everyday companion

By Ed Hudson

They came from every corner of the globe.They came from every continent. They came to compete in The Great River Amazon Raft Race  2008 .  The 46 teams from 18 countries arrived in Nauta to find that the river had risen by 2 metres in just a few days and the current was going to be faster.The teams arrived on 18th September for the civic reception in the Plaza de Armas which was well organised by the Regional Governmentt and Nauta officials. The real deal got going in the afternoon when all the crews crossed to the opposite bank of the Rio Marañon to build Rafts from the 8 balsa logs which were provided to each team.  Crews frantically worked on their crafts, sawing,chopping,hacking, hammering and tying. One team even recruited a local man with a chainsaw.  The work continued and the beach,was still busy even after nightfall.

Race Day 1. Nauta to Porvenir.
 
The 10th Great River Amazon Raft Race was started at 8.30am Friday 19th September with a mass start in the middle of the river. The american team "Easy Living" lept into the lead with the current champions "Los Increibles" in hot pursuit. After 2 hours 8 miles seperated the lead raft from the last crew. "Easy Living" and "Los Increibles" were neck and neck for 2 hours.  The 1st arrival was "Easy Living" who reached  Porvenir in 3hrs 40mins, followed only 7 minutes later by the brave peruvians.
Wise words by Race Founder Mike Collis  were “Its each team against the river” completing each stage was a victory against the worlds most formidable river ,the mighty Amazon.  The positive and enthusiastic spirit of all teams, organizers and followers was just wonderful. Nothing is easy in the Amazon environment and the scene of over 300 people sleeping  in tents on the bank or on support vessels was another achievement.All rafts completed day 1, another achievement !  A peruviuan team withdrew that night and went home. Leonne from one of the "Sisterhood" crews was dehydrated and she too had to withdraw.
 
Race Day 2. Porvenir to Tamshiyacu.
 
7.00 a.m. saw the remaining 45 rafts set off in a mass start. again "Easy Living" took the lead followed by "Los Increibles" and it was to remain this way all day but with the americans gaining on every stroke. The canadian raft "Canada One" was starting improve on its performance after a bad first day but then disaster struck. Fast currents forced the raft into some floating bebris, the raft broke up spilling the crew into the river. One of "Dawn on the Amazon's" rescue boats was soon on hand and rescued the crew. The Captain 71 year old David Petroski and his valiant crew were wet, tired and depressed at the thought of failure. Then that evening it was announced that another peruvian raft was being withdrawn. David and his boys soon commandeered the craft which was now the resurrected "Canada One". What spirit!

Tim from one of the "Brotherhood" teams was forced to retire with back problems.
 
Race Day 3 .Tamshiyacu to the finish line in Bella Vista Nanay.
 
They remaining 44 crews set off again at 7 .30 a.m. for the final leg From Tamshiyacu to the Fishing Club at Bella Vista Nanay. Mad Mick had one more trick up his sleave. The Finish Line is about 500 yards up the River Nanay and its against the current! The tired and weary rafters had to suffer more, but now they were cheered on by thousands of Iquitenians who had come to see the finish. The excitement was electric in Bella Vista as the duel between the "Easy Living" team and "Los  Increibles" was so close, for me more exciting than the Beijing Olympics. Individual rafts did not know what was happening  ahead of them , but fought their own  tough duel with nature, tired muscles, exhaustion, dehydration, and the powerful sun that shone for 3 days. "Easy Living" were first home followed by their now well respected peruvian friends "Los Increibles" who were about 30 minutes behind them. Rather than go for a well deserved shower the americans waited to cheer in their rivals. At the presentation Dave Kelly and his "Easy Living" team were presented with a beautiful bloodwood trophy and about US$3,000 in prizemoney. Trophies and cash were alsopresented to the runners up, the ladies and mixed team winners. Then Dave Kelly stepped to the front and announced that all the peruvian crews who were going to walk away empty would  share "Easy Living's" prizemoney (about $150 each) . Well done Dave.

Contestants came from Peru, USA,Canada, UK, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, Venezuela, Trinidad,  Ireland, Holland,Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The oldest competitor David Pettroski from Canada enjoyed his 71st Birthday on the first day of the race.

Justly called the Worlds Longest Raft Race,120 miles, it is additionally in the worlds most challenging environment.

Organising such a large event is most difficult but very I think it was very well done and many thanks must go to Cristina Alagria ofthe Regional Government of Loreto and the race founder Mike Collis for making it possible. Let’s look forward to more challenges, winners and excitement in 2009, we know it will happen, be there!