Four T&T kayaking athletes heading to the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Mexico from November 14-30, including Satyam Maharaj, took the top four spots in the 14km long course at the annual Maritime Ortoire River Race in Mayaro, last Saturday.Maharaj was the winner in a time of one hour, 25 minutes and 27 seconds. Matthew Robinson finished ten seconds behind Maharaj to grab silver. Less than a minute later, the first female Keian Huggins came in third, while Sherlon Pierre was fourth.
The winner in the 7 km short course was Jhavon Roberts from Salybia. This was Roberts' first appearance in the Ortoire River Race and his time was 52:43. Second place went to Nicholas Robinson (younger brother of Matthew), while third place went to Ravi Bissookram.In the single sit-on-top category the three top places went to Kasey Gordon, Joshua Benjamin and Hakeen Letren. Benjamin and Letren are both members of the sixth Trinidad Sea Scouts.
In the double kayak category, Kevan Lee Lum and Justin Audroing finished first in 55:02. Second place went to two members of the third Trinidad Sea Scouts from San Fernando, Makesi Williams and Kwasi Clouden. In third place were John Ahloy and Lincoln Dover from the sixth Trinidad Sea Scouts.This was the fifth consecutive year that the event was hosted by the Trinidad Kayak Club (TKC), sponsored by The Maritime Financial Group and sanctioned by the T&T Canoe/Kayak Federation (TTCKF). The race is held in Mayaro as a means of bringing kayaking to the area.
Mayaro is one of three communities earmarked for the schools programme, with the other two communities being Blanchisseuse and Carenage.Other sponsors of the event included Superl Travel Service Ltd, Phoenix Park Gas Processors and the Tourism Development Company. Members of the Ortoire Village Council, lifeguards and volunteers from the sixth Trinidad Sea Scouts also made the event possible.