Sacred Journey Training

PADDLING SCHOOLS

Oarsmen and women are the cornerstone of the Sacred Journey since they get physically and mentally prepared to cross to Cozumel and back. Every year, volunteers from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Xel-Há, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and Cozumel decide to take the paddle. Volunteers have complete training to fulfill this ancient tradition, to achieve discipline, great attitude, faith, and teamwork.

During the process, canoers have proper training and tools to achieve the journey. They will learn about canoes and first aids, besides their training, and know which food they can have during the tests and long sailing. Paddling schools are in:

• Cancún, Quintana Roo.
• Playa del Carmen (Xcaret), Solidaridad, Quintana Roo.
• Tulum (Xel-Há), Quintana Roo..
• Cozumel, Quintana Roo.

TRAINING PROGRAM

During the first months of the training program, there will be a combination of functional exercises along with swimming and flexibility.

The program objectives focus on having the best performance by developing specific capacities and physical skills, especially paddling and guiding. The following are the main:

• Know how to swim and float.
• Increase force resistance.
• Gain maximum force.
• Efficient paddling technique.
• More flexibility and muscle coordination.
• Elevating the oxygen volume.

The program also contemplates theoretical sessions about paddling techniques, savings, and aquatic rescue; canoers integration about the canoe dynamics; navy language, knots, and helm technique; plus, talks about the journey and the trading routes by the ancient inhabitants relevance.